switch

Category

Statements

Syntax

switch ( <switch variable> ) {casebreakdefault
case <constant expression> : <statement>; [break;]
    .
    .
    .
default : <statement>;
}

Description

Use the switch statement to pass control to a case that matches the <switch variable>. At which point the statements following the matching case evaluate.

If no case satisfies the condition the default case evaluates.

To avoid evaluating any other cases and relinquish control from the switch, terminate each case with break.

Example

This example illustrates the use of keywords break, case, default, return, and switch.

Copy Code

#include <iostream>
        
using namespace std;
        
int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
  char ch;
        
  cout << "PRESS a, b, OR c. ANY OTHER CHOICE WILL TERMINATE THIS PROGRAM." << endl;
  for ( /* FOREVER */; cin >> ch; )
    switch (ch)
    {
      case 'a' :    /* THE CHOICE OF a HAS ITS OWN ACTION. */
        cout << endl << "Option a was selected." << endl;
        break;
      case 'b' :    /* BOTH b AND c GET THE SAME RESULTS. */
      case 'c' :
        cout << endl << "Option b or c was selected." << endl;
        break;
      default :
        cout << endl << "NOT A VALID CHOICE!  Bye ..." << endl;
        return(-1);
    }
}