C++ switch..case Statement

The switch statement in C++ is used to control the flow of a program based on the value of a variable or expression. It provides an alternative to using multiple if-else statements when you have a limited number of possible values to check against.

Here are the steps involved in using the switch statement in C++:

Syntax: The switch statement starts with the keyword switch followed by the expression or variable to be tested. It is then followed by a series of case labels and the corresponding code block to be executed if the value matches the label. The statement ends with the keyword break.
Expression evaluation: The expression or variable specified in the switch statement is evaluated.
Matching case labels: The value of the expression is compared to each case label specified in the switch statement. If a match is found, the code block associated with that case label is executed. If no match is found, the program moves to the default case (if provided) or continues execution after the switch statement.
Executing code blocks: If a match is found, the code block associated with that case label is executed. The code block can contain multiple statements. However, it is important to include the break statement at the end of each code block to prevent fall-through to the next case.
Fall-through: By default, after executing a code block associated with a case label, the program will continue executing the code in subsequent case labels. This behavior is known as fall-through. To prevent fall-through, you can include a break statement at the end of each code block.
Default case: The optional default case is executed if none of the case labels match the value of the expression. It acts as a catch-all for values that do not have a specific case label. The default case is typically placed at the end of the switch statement.
Execution flow: After executing the code block associated with a case label, the program exits the switch statement and continues executing the code after the switch statement, unless a break statement is encountered.

The switch statement is a useful control structure in C++ when you have a limited number of possible values to check against. It can make your code more concise and easier to read compared to using multiple if-else statements. However, it is important to handle all possible cases and include the break statement appropriately to ensure the desired behavior of your program.