Switch case 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.

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.

Example Code

 Live Demo

#include <stdio.h> int main () {    /* local variable definition */    char grade = 'B';    switch(grade) {       case 'A' :          printf("Excellent!
" );          break;       case 'B' :       case 'C' :          printf("Well done
" );          break;       case 'D' :          printf("You passed
" );          break;       case 'F' :          printf("Better try again
" );          break;       default :          printf("Invalid grade
" );    }    printf("Your grade is %c
", grade );    return 0; }

Output

Well done Your grade is B