title: If/Else and Switch efficiency comparison in interpreted languages
body: <p>I know that when source code is compiled, the compiler treats <code>if</code>/<code>elseif</code>/<code>else</code> and <code>switch</code> statements differently making switch statements at least as efficient as a corresponding <code>if</code>/<code>elseis</code>/<code>else</code> and most often more efficient. This is usually done by building a jump-table at compile time that is utilized at runtime. However, for interpreted languages (not compiled) is there any significant efficiency increase when using a <code>switch</code> statement? Surely an interpreter cannot pre-build a jump-table to increase the <code>switch</code> statement's efficiency. </p>
  
  <p>Do interpreters handle <code>switch</code> statements in a way that increases a <code>switch</code> statement's efficiency compared to a corresponding set of <code>if</code>/<code>elseif</code>/<code>else</code> statements?</p>