How to Use C++ Switch Statements: Examples and Tips for Beginners

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on implementing a switch statement in C++ to evaluate a character variable, origLetter. The switch statement checks for 'a' or 'A' to print "Alpha", 'b' or 'B' to print "Beta", and defaults to printing "Unknown" for any other character. The participants emphasize the importance of using fall-through correctly and avoiding common spelling errors, such as "defualt". A sample code snippet is provided to illustrate the implementation.

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ineedhelpnow
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Write a switch statement that checks origLetter. If 'a' or 'A', print "Alpha". If 'b' or 'B', print "Beta". For any other character, print "Unknown". Use fall-through as appropriate. End with newline.

Sample program:

Code:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
   char origLetter = '?';

   origLetter = 'a';
   <STUDENT CODE>

   return 0;
}

Just do the <STUDENT CODE> part.
i don't get it. do i do case or if?
 
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ineedhelpnow said:
Write a switch statement that checks origLetter. If 'a' or 'A', print "Alpha". If 'b' or 'B', print "Beta". For any other character, print "Unknown". Use fall-through as appropriate. End with newline.

Sample program:

Code:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
   char origLetter = '?';

   origLetter = 'a';
   <STUDENT CODE>

   return 0;
}

Just do the <STUDENT CODE> part.
i don't get it. do i do case or if?

Do "switch".

That is:
Code:
switch (<expression>)
{
    case <constant>: // Fall through
    case <constant>: <statements>; break;
    case <constant>: <statements>; break;
    default: <statements>; 
}

Oh. And don't spell it like [m]defualt[/m]. It will take you ages to figure that out.
Especially since it is completely legal, syntactically, as a label. :eek:
 
could you be a little more specific? i don't really understand how to do it since i have like lowercase and uppercase alpha and beta
 
ineedhelpnow said:
could you be a little more specific? i don't really understand how to do it since i have like lowercase and uppercase alpha and beta

So it's like:
Code:
    switch (origLetter)
    {
        case 'a': // Fall through
        case 'A': <handle 'A' or 'a' statements>; break;
        ...
    }
 
ok so could you explain the <handle 'a' or 'A'...> part. I am not familiar with it
 
ineedhelpnow said:
could you explain the <handle 'a' or 'A'...> part. I am not familiar with it
"<handle 'a' or 'A'...>" means that you should replace it with the code according to your instructions, namely: If 'a' or 'A', print "Alpha". That is, you should replace "<handle 'a' or 'A'...>" in ILS's code with the line that prints the string "Alpha".

For more about the [m]switch[/m] statement in C and C++, see here and here or, better, read your textbook or lecture notes.
 

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