A ‘switch’ statement allows a variable to be tested for equality against a list of values. Each value is called a case, and the variable being switched on is checked for each case.

Syntax:

The syntax for a switch statement: switch(expression)

{

case constant-expression : statement(s);

break; //optional

case constant-expression : statement(s);

break; //optional

default : statement(s); //Optional

}

The following rules apply to a switch statement:

1. The expression used in a ‘switch’ statement must have an integer or enumerated type.

2. We can have any number of case statements within a ‘switch’. Each case is followed by the value to be compared to, and a colon.

3. The constant-expression for a case must be the same data type as the variable in the ‘switch’, and it must be a constant or a literal.

4. When the variable being switched on is equal to a case, the statements following that case will execute until a ‘break’ statement is reached.

5. When a ‘break’ statement is reached, the ‘switch’ terminates, and the flow of control jumps to the next line following the ‘ switch ’ statement.

6. Not every case needs to contain a break. If no break appears, the flow of control will fall through to subsequent cases until a ‘break’ is reached.

7. If no conditions match, then the code under the default statement is executed.

8. The default case is used for performing a task when none of the cases is ‘true’.

9. No break is needed in the default case.