The switch statement in the C programming language is a powerful decision-making tool that simplifies the handling of multiple conditions. This is quite useful when you are required to compare a single variable against a multiple set of values.
Not like a lengthy if-else statement, this switch statement in C provides a clean and organised way to execute specific code blocks based on the value of a variable.
From creating this menu-driven program to processing inputs switch statement is just a common and most used tool in programming. So let's learn how this switch statement works, syntax, and also switch use cases in C with simple programming examples.
This case is a switch statement in C programming that acts like a control structure used mostly to execute one block of code. One can do this with multiple options, just based on the value of the expression. The Expression's value is compared against a predefined constant set of cases, and the matching block is executed.
If one finds no match, then in such a case default block, if by chance provided, will be executed to get a particular output. Your input. Each button just corresponds to a different set of outputs.
Below is the syntax of the switch statement in the C programming language
Program code:
switch (expression) {
case constant1:
// Code to execute if expression matches constant1
break;
case constant2:
// Code to execute if expression matches constant2
break;
...
Default:
// Code to execute if no case matches
}
Component Explanation :
| Component | Explanation |
|---|---|
| switch (expression) | So this expression is evaluated just once and later compared against constants in each of the cases. It must simply result in an integer or character value. |
| case constant | Just represents a specific value to compare with the expression. Each of the case labels needs to have a unique constant value. |
| Statements | This is simply code to execute when the case meets the expression. This often can include multiple lines of code. |
| break | Will end the execution of the current ongoing process and exit the switch block. Without applying a break program will continue to execute subsequent stages. We also call it a fall-through behaviour. |
| default | One of the options blocks is often executed when no case matches the expression. It simply acts as a catch for all unmatched expressions. |
Some of the practical examples to understand the switch case statement
Program code :
#include
int main() {
int day;
printf("Enter a number (1-7): ");
scanf("%d", &day);
switch (day) {
Case 1:
printf("Monday\n");
break;
Case 2:
printf("Tuesday\n");
break;
Case 3:
printf("Wednesday\n");
break;
Case 4:
printf("Thursday\n");
break;
Case 5:
printf("Friday\n");
break;
Case 6:
printf("Saturday\n");
break;
Case 7:
printf("Sunday\n");
break;
Default:
printf("Invalid day\n");
}
return 0;
}
Output.:
Input: 3 → Output: Wednesday
Input: 8 → Output: Invalid day
Explanation of the above example
Below is by step-by-step guide on how switch case in C works :
Below are some of the common examples of a switch in C programming :
1. Perform Basic Arithmetic Operations
Program code :
#include
int main() {
int num1, num2, result;
char operator;
printf("Enter two numbers: ");
scanf("%d %d", &num1, &num2);
printf("Enter an operator (+, -, *, /): ");
scanf(" %c", &operator);
switch (operator) {
case '+':
result = num1 + num2;
printf("Result: %d\n", result);
break;
Case '-':
result = num1 - num2;
printf("Result: %d\n", result);
break;
case '*':
result = num1 * num2;
printf("Result: %d\n", result);
break;
Case '/':
if (num2 != 0) {
result = num1 / num2;
printf("Result: %d\n", result);
} else {
printf("Error: Division by zero is not allowed.\n");
}
break;
default:
printf("Invalid operator\n");
}
return 0;
}
Output :
Enter two numbers: 5 10
Enter an operator (+, -, *, /): +
Result: 15
2. Check Vowel Consonant
Program code :
#include
int main() {
char ch;
printf("Enter a character: ");
scanf(" %c", &ch);
switch (ch) {
case 'a': case 'e': case 'i': case 'o': case 'u':
case 'A': case 'E': case 'I': case 'O: case 'U':
printf("The character is a vowel.\n");
break;
Default:
printf("The character is a consonant.\n");
}
return 0;
}
Output :
Enter a character: u
The character is a vowel
3. Simple Calculator Menu
Program code :
#include
int main() {
int choice, a, b;
printf("Menu:\n");
printf("1. Add\n2. Subtract\n3. Multiply\n4. Divide\n");
printf("Enter your choice: ");
scanf("%d", &choice);
printf("Enter two numbers: ");
scanf("%d %d", &a, &b);
switch (choice) {
Case 1:
printf("Sum: %d\n", a + b);
break;
Case 2:
printf("Difference: %d\n", a - b);
break;
Case 3:
printf("Product: %d\n", a * b);
break;
Case 4:
if (b != 0) {
printf("Quotient: %d\n", a / b);
} else {
printf("Error: Division by zero.\n");
}
break;
default:
printf("Invalid choice\n");
}
return 0;
}
Output :
Menu:
1. Add
2. Subtract
3. Multiply
4. Divide
Enter your choice: 1
Enter two numbers: 92929 48
Sum: 92977
4. Check Student Grade
Program code :
#include
int main() {
int marks;
printf("Enter your marks: ");
scanf("%d", &marks);
switch (marks / 10) { // Integer division to group marks
case 10: case 9:
printf("Grade: A\n");
break;
Case 8:
printf("Grade: B\n");
break;
Case 7:
printf("Grade: C\n");
break;
Case 6:
printf("Grade: D\n");
break;
Default:
printf("Grade: F\n");
}
return 0;
}
Output :
Enter your marks: 6
Grade: F
5. Determine the Type of Triangle
Program code :
#include
int main() {
int a, b, c;
printf("Enter three sides of the triangle: ");
scanf("%d %d %d", &a, &b, &c);
switch ((a == b) + (b == c) + (c == a)) {
Case 3:
printf("The triangle is equilateral.\n");
break;
Case 1:
printf("The triangle is isosceles.\n");
break;
Default:
printf("The triangle is scalene.\n");
}
return 0;
}
Output:
Enter three sides of the triangle: 4 5, 3
The triangle is scalene.
A nested switch statement just refers to one switch statement inside another switch statement. This often allows for handling complex decision-making scenarios. Here, frequently, one condition depends on the result of another. The outer switch statement will evaluate the expression first, and based on the matching case inner switch will execute the code block.
Real-Life Example:
Syntax for this kind of nested switch statement :
switch (expression1) {
case constant1:
// Code for constant1
switch (expression2) {
case constant2_1:
// Code for constant2_1
break;
case constant2_2:
// Code for constant2_2
break;
Default:
// Default code for inner switch
}
break;
case constant2:
// Code for constant2
break;
Default:
// Default code for outer switch
}
Example of nested switch in the C programming language
Meal selection based on type as well as dish
Program code :
#include
int main() {
int mealType, dish;
printf("Select meal type (1 for Vegetarian, 2 for Non-Vegetarian): ");
scanf("%d", &mealType);
switch (mealType) {
case 1: // Vegetarian
printf("Select dish (1 for Paneer, 2 for Dal): ");
scanf("%d", &dish);
switch (dish) {
Case 1:
printf("You selected Paneer.\n");
break;
Case 2:
printf("You selected Dal.\n");
break;
Default:
printf("Invalid dish selection for Vegetarian meal.\n");
}
break;
case 2: // Non-Vegetarian
printf("Select dish (1 for Chicken, 2 for Fish): ");
scanf("%d", &dish);
switch (dish) {
Case 1:
printf("You selected Chicken.\n");
break;
Case 2:
printf("You selected Fish.\n");
break;
Default:
printf("Invalid dish selection for Non-Vegetarian meal.\n");
}
break;
Default:
printf("Invalid meal type.\n");
}
return 0;
}
Output :
Select meal type (1 for Vegetarian, 2 for Non-Vegetarian): 1
Select dish (1 for Paneer, 2 for Dal): 1
You selected Paneer.
Conclusion :
Switch cases are quite essential for learning, as they are useful in many cases. So, enrolling in a C programming course in Noida will be of great help for you and stay relevant as per industry demands.
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