Switch Statement in C: Syntax and Examples

What is a Switch Statement?

The switch statement is used to execute one block of code among many alternatives, based on the value of a variable.

Syntax

switch (expression) {
    case value1:
        // code
        break;
    case value2:
        // code
        break;
    default:
        // code
}

Example

int day = 3;
switch (day) {
    case 1: printf("Monday"); break;
    case 2: printf("Tuesday"); break;
    case 3: printf("Wednesday"); break;
    default: printf("Invalid day");
}

Key Points

• The break statement prevents fall-through to the next case.
• switch works only with integer or character constant expressions.
• default runs when no case matches, and is optional.