Learn Challenge: Switch Statement | Introduction to Conditional Statements

In C programming, the switch statement provides a clear and efficient way to handle multi-way branching, especially when you need to execute different code blocks based on the value of a single variable.

switch_syntax.c


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// Syntax of a switch statement in C
switch (expression) {
    case first_value:
        // Statements for `first_value`
        break;
    case second_value:
        // Statements for `second_value`
        break;
    // More cases as needed
    default:
        // Default statements if no case matches
}

Unlike a series of if...else statements, which can become lengthy and harder to read as the number of conditions grows, a switch statement organizes multiple possible execution paths in a tidy structure.

print_day_of_week_again.c


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#include <stdio.h>

void print_day_of_week(int day) {
    switch (day) {
        case 1:
            printf("Monday\n");
            break;
        case 2:
            printf("Tuesday\n");
            break;
        case 3:
            printf("Wednesday\n");
            break;
        case 4:
            printf("Thursday\n");
            break;
        case 5:
            printf("Friday\n");
            break;
        case 6:
            printf("Saturday\n");
            break;
        case 7:
            printf("Sunday\n");
            break;
        default:
            printf("Invalid day\n");
    }
}

int main() {
    print_day_of_week(5); // Should print "Friday"
    print_day_of_week(9); // Should print "Invalid day"
    return 0;
}

The switch expression is evaluated once, and its result is compared with each case label. If a match is found, the code under that case executes until a break statement is encountered or the switch ends. If no cases match, the default block (if present) runs.

Task

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Write a function named getDayType that takes an integer parameter day and returns a character indicating the type of day.

Use a switch statement to determine the return value based on the value of day.
Return 'W' if day is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (representing a weekday);
Return 'H' if day is 6 or 7 (representing a holiday);
Return '?' for any other value.

Solution

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Section 1. Chapter 5

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