I Rewrote My Python Code Using Pattern Matching — The Results Were Wild

Python just got a serious glow-up. Here’s how I made the most of it.

I Rewrote My Python Code Using Pattern Matching — The Results Were Wild

Python’s new match-case syntax changed the way I write and think about code. Here's how it simplified logic, boosted readability, and made me rethink old habits.

Python 3.10 introduced a long-awaited feature: Structural Pattern Matching — also known as the match-case statement.

At first glance, it looked like a cleaner switch-case, but what I discovered was far more powerful.

Curious and slightly skeptical, I took some of my existing projects and refactored key parts using pattern matching.

The result?
Cleaner logic, fewer bugs, and code that reads like poetry.

Let me walk you through what happened.

Wait… Python Has Pattern Matching Now?

Yes — and it’s not just a glorified switch. Python’s pattern matching is structural, meaning you can destructure complex data types (like tuples, lists, and dictionaries) while matching.

The Basic Syntax

def handle_status(code): 
    match code: 
        case 200: 
            return "OK" 
        case 404: 
            return "Not Found" 
        case 500: 
            return "Server Error" 
        case _: 
            return "Unknown"

But it doesn’t stop there. You can:

• Match tuples and unpack values
• Match classes and attributes
• Use guards (conditions) in patterns
• Even match nested structures

My Old Logic: Messy and Repetitive

Let’s be honest: most Python devs write deeply nested if-elif-else blocks, especially when handling different data structures or API responses.

Here’s a piece from my old project — parsing a config dictionary:

def parse_config(cfg): 
    if "type" in cfg: 
        if cfg["type"] == "sql": 
            return f"SQL DB: {cfg.get('name')}" 
        elif cfg["type"] == "nosql": 
            return f"NoSQL DB: {cfg.get('name')}" 
    return "Unknown Config"

It worked, but it wasn’t elegant.

Too many dictionary lookups, hard to test, and fragile if the structure changed.

Refactored with Pattern Matching: Sleek and Elegant

Here’s the same logic rewritten with pattern matching:

def parse_config(cfg): 
    match cfg: 
        case {"type": "sql", "name": name}: 
            return f"SQL DB: {name}" 
        case {"type": "nosql", "name": name}: 
            return f"NoSQL DB: {name}" 
        case _: 
            return "Unknown Config"

No more key-checking boilerplate. It’s declarative. And it scales beautifully.

The Wildest Thing: Matching Class Structures

In another project, I was working with different message objects from a WebSocket. Before pattern matching, I used isinstance() all over the place.

if isinstance(msg, TextMessage): 
    handle_text(msg.text) 
elif isinstance(msg, ImageMessage): 
    handle_image(msg.url)

Now?

match msg: 
    case TextMessage(text=text): 
        handle_text(text) 
    case ImageMessage(url=url): 
        handle_image(url)

This felt like cheating. Matching classes and unpacking attributes in one line? Chef’s kiss.

Unexpected Wins

Rewriting my code with pattern matching didn’t just make it prettier. It had real benefits:

Fewer Bugs

By matching exact structures, I caught edge cases that slipped through with if statements.

Easier to Test

Each case becomes a testable unit. It’s much easier to reason about individual branches.

More Readable

My teammates (even junior ones) instantly grasped the flow without digging into conditional logic.

Scales Well

As requirements grow, pattern matching keeps your logic flat and manageable — no deeply nested messes.

But Beware the Gotchas

Pattern matching isn’t perfect. I ran into a few caveats:

• It’s only available from Python 3.10+
• Matching dicts requires exact keys — no partial matching unless you plan carefully
• It’s tempting to overuse and turn everything into a match-case even when an if would suffice

Use it when it clarifies, not just because it’s cool.

Want to Try It? Here’s How to Get Started

Start by refactoring any of these:

• Long if-elif-else chains
• Code that unpacks nested data (especially JSON)
• API response handlers
• Command routing or event handling logic

Pattern matching will shine brightest in those areas.

Final Thoughts

Pattern matching made me rethink how I write Python. It’s not just a syntax change — it’s a mindset shift toward declarative, data-driven logic.

If you haven’t played with it yet, now’s the time. Start small, get comfortable, and prepare to be surprised at how expressive Python can become.

Your code deserves this upgrade.