(C Programming Tutorials)
C switch Statement
In this tutorial, you will learn to create the switch statement in C programming with the help of an example.
You can do the same thing with the if...else..if
ladder. However, the syntax of the switch
statement is much easier to read and write.
Syntax of switch…case
switch (expression)
{
case constant1:
// statements
break;
case constant2:
// statements
break;
.
.
.
default:
// default statements
}
How does the switch statement work?
The expression is evaluated once and compared with the values of each case label.
- If there is a match, the corresponding statements after the matching label are executed. For example, if the value of the expression is equal to constant2, statements after
case constant2:
are executed untilbreak
is encountered. - If there is no match, the default statements are executed.
If we do not use break
, all statements after the matching label are executed.
By the way, the default
clause inside the switch
statement is optional.
switch Statement Flowchart
Example: Simple Calculator
// Program to create a simple calculator
#include <stdio.h>
int main(){
char operator;
double n1, n2;
printf("Enter an operator (+, -, *, /): ");
scanf("%c", &operator);
printf("Enter two operands: ");
scanf("%lf %lf",&n1, &n2);
switch(operator)
{
case '+':
printf("%.1lf + %.1lf = %.1lf",n1, n2, n1+n2);
break;
case '-':
printf("%.1lf - %.1lf = %.1lf",n1, n2, n1-n2);
break;
case '*':
printf("%.1lf * %.1lf = %.1lf",n1, n2, n1*n2);
break;
case '/':
printf("%.1lf / %.1lf = %.1lf",n1, n2, n1/n2);
break;
// operator doesn't match any case constant +, -, *, /
default:
printf("Error! operator is not correct");
}
return 0;
}
Output
Enter an operator (+, -, *,): - Enter two operands: 32.5 12.4 32.5 - 12.4 = 20.1
The – operator entered by the user is stored in the operator variable. And, two operands 32.5 and 12.4 are stored in variables n1 and n2 respectively.
Since the operator is -
, the control of the program jumps to
printf("%.1lf - %.1lf = %.1lf", n1, n2, n1-n2);
Finally, the break statement terminates the switch
statement.
Disclaimer: The information and code presented within this recipe/tutorial is only for educational and coaching purposes for beginners and developers. Anyone can practice and apply the recipe/tutorial presented here, but the reader is taking full responsibility for his/her actions. The author (content curator) of this recipe (code / program) has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information was correct at time of publication. The author (content curator) does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from accident, negligence, or any other cause. The information presented here could also be found in public knowledge domains.
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