Switch Case Statement in C Programming with Example
What is a Switch Statement?
A switch statement tests the value of a variable and compares it
with multiple cases. Once the case match is found, a block of statements
associated with that particular case is executed.
Each case in a block of a switch has a different name/number
which is referred to as an identifier. The value provided by the user is
compared with all the cases inside the switch block until the match is found.
If a case match is found, then the default statement is
executed, and the control goes out of the switch block.
In this tutorial, you will learn-
- What is a Switch Statement?
- Syntax
- Flow Chart Diagram of Switch Case
- Example
- Nested Switch
- Why do we need a Switch case?
- Rules for switch statement:
Syntax
A general syntax of how switch-case is implemented in a 'C'
program is as follows:
switch( expression )
{
case value-1:
Block-1;
Break;
case value-2:
Block-2;
Break;
case value-n:
Block-n;
Break;
default:
Block-1;
Break;
}
Statement-x;
- The expression can be integer expression or a character expression.
- Value-1, 2, n are case labels which are used to identify each case individually. Remember that case labels should not be same as it may create a problem while executing a program. Suppose we have two cases with the same label as '1'. Then while executing the program, the case that appears first will be executed even though you want the program to execute a second case. This creates problems in the program and does not provide the desired output.
- Case labels always end with a colon ( : ). Each of these cases is associated with a block.
- A block is nothing but multiple statements which are grouped for a particular case.
- Whenever the switch is executed, the value of test-expression is compared with all the cases which we have defined inside the switch. Suppose the test expression contains value 4. This value is compared with all the cases until case whose label four is found in the program. As soon as a case is found the block of statements associated with that particular case is executed and control goes out of the switch.
- The break keyword in each case indicates the end of a particular case. If we do not put the break in each case then even though the specific case is executed, the switch will continue to execute all the cases until the end is reached. This should not happen; hence we always have to put break keyword in each case. Break will terminate the case once it is executed and the control will fall out of the switch.
- The default case is an optional one. Whenever the value of test-expression is not matched with any of the cases inside the switch, then the default will be executed. Otherwise, it is not necessary to write default in the switch.
- Once the switch is executed the control will go to the statement-x, and the execution of a program will continue.
Flow Chart Diagram of Switch Case
Following diagram illustrates how a case is selected in switch
case:
Example
Following program illustrates the use of switch:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int num = 8;
switch (num) {
case 7:
printf("Value is 7");
break;
case 8:
printf("Value is 8");
break;
case 9:
printf("Value is 9");
break;
default:
printf("Out of range");
break;
}
return 0;
}
Output:
Value is 8
1.
In the given program we have initialized a variable num with
value 8.
2.
A switch construct is used to compare the value stored in
variable num and execute the block of statements associated with the matched
case.
3.
In this program, since the value stored in variable num is
eight, a switch will execute the case whose case-label is 8. After executing
the case, the control will fall out of the switch and program will be
terminated with the successful result by printing the value on the output
screen.
Try changing the value of variable num and notice the change in
the output.
For example, we consider the following program which defaults:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int language = 10;
switch (language) {
case 1:
printf("C#\n");
break;
case 2:
printf("C\n");
break;
case 3:
printf("C++\n");
break;
default:
printf("Other programming language\n");}}
Output:
Other programming language
When working with switch case in C, you group multiple cases
with unique labels. You need to introduce a break statement in each case to
branch at the end of a switch statement.
The optional default case runs when no other matches are made.
We consider the following switch statement:
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int number=5;
switch (number) {
case 1:
case 2:
case 3:
printf("One, Two, or Three.\n");
break;
case 4:
case 5:
case 6:
printf("Four, Five, or Six.\n");
break;
default:
printf("Greater than Six.\n");}}
Output:
Four, Five, or Six.
Nested Switch
In C, we can have an inner switch embedded in an outer switch.
Also, the case constants of the inner and outer switch may have common values
and without any conflicts.
We considere the following program which the user to type his
own ID, if the ID is valid it will ask him to enter his password, if the
password is correct the program will print the name of the user, otherwise ,the
program will print Incorrect Password and if the ID does not exist , the
program will print Incorrect ID
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int ID = 500;
int password = 000;
printf("Plese Enter Your ID:\n ");
scanf("%d", & ID);
switch (ID) {
case 500:
printf("Enter your password:\n ");
scanf("%d", & password);
switch (password) {
case 000:
printf("Welcome Dear Programmer\n");
break;
default:
printf("incorrect password");
break;
}
break;
default:
printf("incorrect ID");
break;
}
}
OUTPUT:
Plese Enter Your ID:
500
Enter your password:
000
Welcome Dear Programmer
1. In
the given program we have initialized two variables: ID and password
2. An
outer switch construct is used to compare the value entered in variable ID. It
execute the block of statements associated with the matched case (when
ID==500).
3. If
the block statement is executed with the matched case, an inner switch is used
to compare the values entered in the variable password and execute the statements
linked with the matched case(when password==000).
4. Otherwise,
the switch case will trigger the default case and print the appropriate text
regarding the program outline.
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.