{"id":12924,"date":"2023-02-14T08:48:13","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T08:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.prepbytes.com\/blog\/?p=12924"},"modified":"2023-08-09T12:42:10","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T12:42:10","slug":"switch-statement-in-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepbytes.com\/blog\/switch-statement-in-c\/","title":{"rendered":"Switch Statement in C"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

The switch statement<\/strong> in C is a conditional branching statement that evaluates an expression, and branches to the matching case label within the switch statement block. It is used to handle multiple selections of code, with the expression being tested against a series of constant values (case labels) to determine which block of code to execute.<\/p>\n

What is the Switch Statement in C?<\/h2>\n

The switch statement in C is a control flow mechanism that allows a program to make decisions based on the value of a variable. It is an efficient and readable alternative to a series of if-else statements, and it consists of an expression that is evaluated and compared to a series of case values. <\/p>\n

Convert If-Else Code into Switch Statements in C<\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s see how to convert the if-else code into the switch case statement.<\/p>\n

If-Else Code:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    int num=1;\n\n    if(num>0){\n        printf(\"%s\",\"The number is positive\");\n    }\n    else if(num<0){\n        printf(\"%s\",\"The number is negative\");\n    }\n    else{\n        printf(\"%s\",\"The number is zero\");\n    }<\/code><\/pre>\n
The Switch Case Statement:<\/strong><\/p>\n
int num=1;\n    switch(num){\n        case 1:\n            printf(\"%s\",\"The number is positive\");\n            break;\n        case -1:\n            printf(\"%s\",\"The number is negative\");\n            break;\n        default:\n            printf(\"The number is zero\");\n    }<\/code><\/pre>\n
In the switch case statement, If a case value matches the expression, the corresponding statements are executed, and the program continues until it encounters a break statement or reaches the end of the switch statement. If no case values match the expression, the default statement is executed, if provided. The switch statement is often used for making decisions based on well-defined, large sets of values and provides a more concise and maintainable solution compared to complex nested if-else statements.<\/p>\n
Syntax of the Switch Case Statement in C:<\/h3>\n
Let\u2019s see what is the syntax of the switch case statement in c:<\/p>\n
switch (expression) {\n  case constant-expression:\n    statement(s);\n    break;\n  case constant-expression:\n    statement(s);\n    break;\n  ...\n  default:\n    statement(s);\n}<\/code><\/pre>\n
Let\u2019s understand the above syntax of the switch case statement in c:<\/p>\n
    \n
  • The switch<\/strong> keyword followed by an expression in parentheses. This expression is evaluated, and its value is compared to the constant expressions in each of the case labels.<\/li>\n
  • The case<\/strong> keyword followed by a constant expression and a colon. If the value of the switch expression matches the constant expression in a case label, the statements following that case label will be executed.<\/li>\n
  • One or more statements that follow a case label.<\/li>\n
  • The optional break<\/strong> statement, which terminates the switch statement and transfers control to the statement following the switch statement.<\/li>\n
  • The optional default<\/strong> keyword followed by a colon and one or more statements. The statements following the default label are executed if the value of the switch expression does not match any of the constant expressions in the case labels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    Flowchart of the Switch Statement in C:<\/h2>\n
    \"\"<\/p>\n
      \n
    • The expression inside the parentheses following the switch keyword is evaluated.<\/li>\n
    • The value of the expression is compared to the constant expressions in each of the case labels.<\/li>\n
    • If a match is found, the statements following that case label are executed.<\/li>\n
    • If a break statement is encountered, the switch statement is terminated, and control is transferred to the statement following the switch statement.<\/li>\n
    • If no break statement is encountered, control flows through to the next case label, even if a match has been found.<\/li>\n
    • If no match is found and the default label is present, the statements following the default label are executed.<\/li>\n
    • The switch statement is complete, and control is transferred to the statement following the switch statement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      What are the Important Keywords of the Switch Statement:<\/strong>
      \nGiven the following keywords of the switch statement in C:<\/p>\n
        \n
      1. \n
        Break:<\/strong> To stop the execution of the case block this keyword is used and it also uses to terminate the switch block.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
      2. \n
        Default:<\/strong> If there is no case match in the switch statement then this keyword is used to execute a particular set of statements.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        Examples of the Switch Statement in C:<\/h3>\n
        Example 1:<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t