The switch statement

Learn multi-way selection with switch, case, break and default.

The switch statement

When a single variable is matched against several constant values, the switch statement is cleaner than an if/else if chain. The form is switch (x) { case 1: ...; break; case 2: ...; break; default: ...; }.

The code after each case label runs for that case; break exits the switch. Without break execution falls through to the next case. default runs when no case matches.

Fall-through without break

If you omit break inside a switch, execution continues to the next case. This is called fall-through. Sometimes the behavior is intentional: when several cases run the same code you list them on top of each other and put break only on the last one.

Most of the time, however, forgetting break is a bug; an unexpected case runs. Compilers usually warn about cases without break. Marking intentional fall-through with a comment is a good habit.

Exercise Print the day name

The day variable is set to 2. Use switch (day) so that in case 2 the program prints "Tuesday". Add a break too.

Show example solution

#include <iostream>

int main() {
    int day = 2;
    switch (day) {
        case 2:
            std::cout << "Tuesday" << std::endl;
            break;
    }
    return 0;
}

Test yourself

Match each switch part to its role

switch

Starts the selection
case

Case label
break

Ends the branch
default

When none match
Which keyword runs when no case matches in a switch?
```
switch (x) {
  case 1: ...; break;
  ...
}
```
- case
- break
- default
- switch
Show answer

default — default runs when no case matches.

Write the break keyword

case 1: std::cout << "Monday";
    ____;

Show answer

case 1: std::cout << "Monday";
    break;

Next lesson: The ternary operator

We Are Enhancing Your Experience

Cookie Preferences

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Analytical Cookies