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    The Switch Statement

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    Winssis

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    The Switch Statement

    Uploaded by

    Winssis
    8 views3 pages

    Original Title

    The%20Switch%20Statement

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    8 views3 pages

    The Switch Statement

    Uploaded by

    Winssis

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    The Switch Statement

    A switch statement allows a variable to be tested for equality against a list of values. Each value is
    called a case, and the variable being switched on is checked for each switch case.
    Syntax
    The syntax for a switch statement in C programming language is as follows −

    switch(expression) {

    case constant-expression :
    statement(s);
    break; /* optional */

    case constant-expression :
    statement(s);
    break; /* optional */

    /* you can have any number of case statements */


    default : /* Optional */
    statement(s);
    }

    The following rules apply to a switch statement −


     The expression used in a switch statement must have an integral or enumerated type, or be of
    a class type in which the class has a single conversion function to an integral or enumerated
    type.
     You can have any number of case statements within a switch. Each case is followed by the value
    to be compared to and a colon.
     The constant-expression for a case must be the same data type as the variable in the switch,
    and it must be a constant or a literal.
     When the variable being switched on is equal to a case, the statements following that case will
    execute until a break statement is reached.
     When a break statement is reached, the switch terminates, and the flow of control jumps to the
    next line following the switch statement.
     Not every case needs to contain a break. If no break appears, the flow of control will fall
    through to subsequent cases until a break is reached.
     A switch statement can have an optional default case, which must appear at the end of the
    switch. The default case can be used for performing a task when none of the cases is true.
    No break is needed in the default case.

    Flow Diagram
    Example
    #include <stdio.h>

    int main () {

    /* local variable definition */


    char grade = 'B';

    switch(grade) {
    case 'A' :
    printf("Excellent!\n" );
    break;
    case 'B' :
    case 'C' :
    printf("Well done\n" );
    break;
    case 'D' :
    printf("You passed\n" );
    break;
    case 'F' :
    printf("Better try again\n" );
    break;
    default :
    printf("Invalid grade\n" );
    }

    printf("Your grade is %c\n", grade );

    return 0;
    }

    When the above code is compiled and executed, it produces the following result −
    Well done
    Your grade is B

    Why do we need a Switch case?


    There is one potential problem with the if-else statement which is the complexity of the program increases
    whenever the number of alternative path increases. If you use multiple if-else constructs in the program, a
    program might become difficult to read and comprehend. Sometimes it may even confuse the developer
    who himself wrote the program.
    The solution to this problem is the switch statement.
    Rules for switch statement:
     An expression must always execute to a result.
     Case labels must be constants and unique.
     Case labels must end with a colon ( : ).
     A break keyword must be present in each case.
     There can be only one default label.
     We can nest multiple switch statements.

    Summary
     A switch is a decision making construct in 'C.'
     A switch is used in a program where multiple decisions are involved.
     A switch must contain an executable test-expression.
     Each case must include a break keyword.
     Case label must be constants and unique.
     The default is optional.
     Multiple switch statements can be nested within one another.

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