Learn Switch Statement | Introduction to Program Flow

A switch statement is a control flow construct in programming used to execute one block of code out of multiple possible options, based on the value of a single variable or expression. It's a more structured and readable alternative to using multiple if-else statements when comparing the same value to several possible options.

main.cpp

switch.h


              12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031
            
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
    // Example user choice: 1 for Check Balance, 2 for Deposit, etc.
    int userOption = 1; 

    // Simulating a banking system menu using a switch statement
    switch (userOption)
    {
        case 1: // Check account balance
            std::cout << "Checking account balance..." << std::endl;
            break;

        case 2: // Deposit money
            std::cout << "Depositing money into your account..." << std::endl;
            break;

        case 3: // Withdraw money
            std::cout << "Withdrawing money from your account..." << std::endl;
            break;

        case 4: // Exit
            std::cout << "Exiting the system. Thank you for banking with us!" << std::endl;
            break;

        default: // Invalid option
            std::cout << "Invalid option. Please choose a valid menu option." << std::endl;
            break;
    }
}

break - statement means an exit from a block of code;
default - is an optional part but a useful one. This part will be executed if none of the cases doesn't fit.

We check the userOption variable. If it equals 1, the corresponding text for checking the account balance will be displayed. The break statement ensures that the program exits the entire switch-case block after processing this case, preventing the execution of other cases.

The break keyword

However, there is an important aspect of the switch statement to keep in mind. If the break statement is intentionally removed from a case, the program will continue executing subsequent cases, even if their conditions do not match. This behavior, known as fall-through, can be useful in specific scenarios but may lead to unexpected results if not used carefully.

main.cpp


              1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
            
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
    // Example user choice: 1 for Check Balance, 2 for Deposit, etc.
    int userOption = 1; 

    // Simulating a banking system menu using a switch statement
    switch (userOption)
    {
        case 1: // Check account balance
            std::cout << "Checking account balance..." << std::endl;

        case 2: // Deposit money
            std::cout << "Depositing money into your account..." << std::endl;

        case 3: // Withdraw money
            std::cout << "Withdrawing money from your account..." << std::endl;

        case 4: // Exit
            std::cout << "Exiting the system. Thank you for banking with us!" << std::endl;

        default: // Invalid option
            std::cout << "Invalid option. Please choose a valid menu option." << std::endl;
    }
}

Without the break command, the program flow will ignore all the following checks and simply execute the commands of the following cases until it encounters the break statement or the end of the entire switch block.

Everything was clear?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 4. Chapter 3

Ask AI

Ask anything or try one of the suggested questions to begin our chat

Suggested prompts:

Can you give an example of how fall-through works in a switch statement?

What are some scenarios where fall-through is intentionally used?

Can you explain the difference between using switch and if-else statements?

Awesome!

Completion rate improved to 3.85

Swipe to show menu

main.cpp

switch.h


              12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031
            
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
    // Example user choice: 1 for Check Balance, 2 for Deposit, etc.
    int userOption = 1; 

    // Simulating a banking system menu using a switch statement
    switch (userOption)
    {
        case 1: // Check account balance
            std::cout << "Checking account balance..." << std::endl;
            break;

        case 2: // Deposit money
            std::cout << "Depositing money into your account..." << std::endl;
            break;

        case 3: // Withdraw money
            std::cout << "Withdrawing money from your account..." << std::endl;
            break;

        case 4: // Exit
            std::cout << "Exiting the system. Thank you for banking with us!" << std::endl;
            break;

        default: // Invalid option
            std::cout << "Invalid option. Please choose a valid menu option." << std::endl;
            break;
    }
}

break - statement means an exit from a block of code;
default - is an optional part but a useful one. This part will be executed if none of the cases doesn't fit.

The break keyword

main.cpp


              1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526
            
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
    // Example user choice: 1 for Check Balance, 2 for Deposit, etc.
    int userOption = 1; 

    // Simulating a banking system menu using a switch statement
    switch (userOption)
    {
        case 1: // Check account balance
            std::cout << "Checking account balance..." << std::endl;

        case 2: // Deposit money
            std::cout << "Depositing money into your account..." << std::endl;

        case 3: // Withdraw money
            std::cout << "Withdrawing money from your account..." << std::endl;

        case 4: // Exit
            std::cout << "Exiting the system. Thank you for banking with us!" << std::endl;

        default: // Invalid option
            std::cout << "Invalid option. Please choose a valid menu option." << std::endl;
    }
}

Everything was clear?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 4. Chapter 3