Switch-Case Statements in C++ tutorial

9/12/2025
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Switch-Case Statements in cplus

Switch-Case Statements in C++ tutorial

Switch-Case Statements in C++

Switch-case statements are used to execute one block of code among many options based on the value of an expression. They are a cleaner alternative to long if-else if chains when testing a single variable against multiple values.

🔹 Syntax of Switch-Case

switch (expression) {
    case constant1:
        // Code block for constant1
        break;
    case constant2:
        // Code block for constant2
        break;
    ...
    default:
        // Code block if no case matches
}

Key Points:

  • The expression must evaluate to an integer or character type.

  • case labels must be unique constant values.

  • The break statement prevents fall-through to the next case.

  • The default block is optional but useful for handling unexpected values.

🔹 Example: Switch-Case Statement

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    int day = 3;

    switch (day) {
        case 1:
            cout << "Monday" << endl;
            break;
        case 2:
            cout << "Tuesday" << endl;
            break;
        case 3:
            cout << "Wednesday" << endl;
            break;
        case 4:
            cout << "Thursday" << endl;
            break;
        case 5:
            cout << "Friday" << endl;
            break;
        default:
            cout << "Weekend" << endl;
    }

    return 0;
}

Output:

Wednesday

🔹 Nested Switch Example

You can place one switch inside another if needed.

int x = 1, y = 2;

switch (x) {
    case 1:
        switch (y) {
            case 2:
                cout << "x=1 and y=2";
                break;
        }
        break;
}

Best Practices

  • Always include a default case to handle unexpected values.

  • Use break to prevent fall-through unless fall-through behavior is intended.

  • Keep switch statements readable and avoid deeply nested structures.

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