Basics
C++ Switch
Switch Statements
C++ switch statements handle cases with break statements.
Introduction to C++ Switch Statements
The switch statement in C++ is a control structure that allows for more efficient handling of multiple conditions compared to using numerous if-else statements. A switch statement evaluates an expression and executes the code block associated with the matching case label. Each case ends with a break statement to prevent fall-through.
Syntax of a C++ Switch Statement
The syntax of a switch statement is straightforward. Here's a breakdown of its structure:
Using Break in Switch Statements
The break statement is crucial in a switch statement. It terminates the case block and prevents the execution from falling into subsequent cases. Without a break, C++ will execute all the following cases until it finds a break or the end of the switch statement.
Example: Simple C++ Switch Statement
Let's look at a simple example to better understand how switch statements work.
In this example, the variable number is evaluated. Since it equals 2, the output will be Number is 2. If break were omitted in case 2:, the program would continue executing case 3: and the default case as well.
Advantages of Using Switch Statements
Switch statements offer several advantages:
- Readability: They provide a cleaner and more understandable way to handle multiple conditional paths.
- Performance: In some cases, switch statements can be more performant than multiple
if-elsestatements, especially with a large number of conditions. - Maintainability: Adding new cases is simpler and less error-prone.
Limitations of Switch Statements
Despite their advantages, switch statements have limitations:
- They can only evaluate expressions resulting in integer or enumeration constants.
- Floating-point expressions and strings are not supported in standard C++ switch statements.
- They can become unwieldy with too many cases.
