c++ switch

A switch statement in C++ is a control flow statement that allows you to select one of many code blocks to be executed based on the value of a variable or expression.

Here is the step-by-step explanation of how a switch statement works in C++:

  1. The switch statement begins with the keyword "switch" followed by an expression enclosed in parentheses. This expression is often a variable that you want to check against different values.

  2. After the expression, you open a block of code using curly braces "{ }". This block contains multiple "case" statements.

  3. Each "case" statement represents a specific value that you want to compare with the expression. It starts with the keyword "case" followed by a constant value or a variable.

  4. If the value of the expression matches the value specified in a "case" statement, the code block following that case is executed until a "break" statement is encountered or the block ends.

  5. If the value of the expression does not match any "case" statements, the code block following the "default" statement, if present, is executed. The "default" statement is optional and represents the default action to be taken when no other case matches.

  6. Inside each case block, you can write any valid C++ code, including variable declarations, function calls, or conditional statements.

  7. After the code block of a case is executed, the control jumps to the end of the switch statement unless a break statement is encountered. The break statement is used to exit the switch statement and prevent the execution of the following case blocks.

  8. If there is no break statement in a case, the execution will "fall through" to the next case, and the code in that case will be executed as well. This behavior is sometimes intentional when multiple cases share the same code.

  9. The switch statement ends with a closing brace "}".

Overall, the switch statement provides a convenient way to handle multiple possible values of a variable or expression in a concise and readable manner.