Switch statement In C
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