Programming C in Statement Case Switch

Understanding the Switch Case Statement in C Programming

Hey, coding champ!
Now, let’s learn about another fun decision-making tool in C programming called the Switch Case statement. It’s a great way to handle multiple choices without writing a lot of “IF-ELSE” statements.

What is a Switch Case Statement?

The Switch Case statement helps you choose one option from many possibilities, based on the value of a variable. It’s like a menu in a restaurant—you pick the option you want, and the chef knows exactly what to prepare.

Syntax of Switch Case Statement

Here’s how you write a Switch Case statement in C programming:

switch (variable) {
    case value1:
        // Code to run if variable equals value1
        break;
    case value2:
        // Code to run if variable equals value2
        break;
    case value3:
        // Code to run if variable equals value3
        break;
    default:
        // Code to run if variable doesn’t match any case
}

Variable: This is the value we are checking, like a score or choice.
Case: These are the possible values that the variable can have.
Default: This runs if none of the cases match the value.

Real-Life Example of Switch Case

Imagine you are at an ice cream shop. You choose your ice cream flavor by selecting a number:

1 for Chocolate
2 for Vanilla
3 for Strawberry

Let’s write a program for this:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int choice = 2;  // Change this value to select a flavor

    switch (choice) {
        case 1:
            printf("You chose Chocolate!\n");
            break;
        case 2:
            printf("You chose Vanilla!\n");
            break;
        case 3:
            printf("You chose Strawberry!\n");
            break;
        default:
            printf("Invalid choice. Please choose between 1 and 3.\n");
    }

    return 0;
}

Explanation:

The program checks the value of choice.
If the value is 1, it prints “You chose Chocolate!”
If the value is 2, it prints “You chose Vanilla!”
If the value is 3, it prints “You chose Strawberry!”
If the value is anything else, it prints “Invalid choice.”

Output 1:

For choice = 2, the output will be:

You chose Vanilla!

Output 2:

For choice = 4, the output will be:

Invalid choice. Please choose between 1 and 3.

Flowchart of Switch Case Statement

Here’s how the Switch Case decision-making works:

Start
Check the value of the variable.
Match the variable with one of the cases.
Execute the code for the matching case.
If no cases match, run the default code.
End

       [Start]
          |
  [Check variable value]
          |
  /    |    \     ...
Case 1  Case 2  Case 3
  |       |       |
[Action] [Action] [Action]
  |       |       |
          [End]

Programming Example: Day of the Week

Let’s write a program that tells you the day of the week based on a number (1 for Monday, 2 for Tuesday, etc.).

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int day = 4;  // Change this value to test different days

    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. Please enter a number between 1 and 7.\n");
    }

    return 0;
}

Explanation:

The value of day determines which day of the week to print.
If the value doesn’t match any case (1 to 7), the default message tells you to enter a valid number.

Output 1:

For day = 4, the output will be:

Thursday

Output 2:

For day = 8, the output will be:

Invalid day. Please enter a number between 1 and 7.

Why Use Switch Case?

The Switch Case statement is easier to read than writing many “IF-ELSE” statements, especially when you have many choices. It helps your program make decisions quickly and clearly.

Challenge Time!

Let’s try something fun! Imagine you are building a simple calculator:

1 for Addition
2 for Subtraction
3 for Multiplication
4 for Division

Write a program that takes two numbers and performs the selected operation.

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int operation = 3;  // Choose 1 for addition, 2 for subtraction, etc.
    int a = 10, b = 5;  // Two numbers to operate on

    switch (operation) {
        case 1:
            printf("Result: %d\n", a + b);  // Addition
            break;
        case 2:
            printf("Result: %d\n", a - b);  // Subtraction
            break;
        case 3:
            printf("Result: %d\n", a * b);  // Multiplication
            break;
        case 4:
            printf("Result: %d\n", a / b);  // Division
            break;
        default:
            printf("Invalid operation. Please choose 1 to 4.\n");
    }

    return 0;
}

Output 1:

For operation = 3, the output will be:

Result: 50

Summary

The Switch Case statement helps you pick one action from many options, based on the value of a variable.
It’s easier to read and write than using many “IF-ELSE” statements.
Think of it as a menu—your computer checks which case matches and then follows the instructions for that choice!

With Switch Case, your programs can make multiple decisions, all while keeping your code clean and easy to follow. Keep exploring, and soon you’ll be making even more complex programs!