Switch, Break and Continue in C

August 26, 2025

Switch Statement

Switch case is used for control statements which decides the execution of statements rather than if-else statements.In other word, Switch Case is utilized when there are several cases and each requires a different task to be completed.

Switch:

  • Switch statement is used as a control statement which allows the execution of multiple conditions for the multiple possible values of a single variable.

Break:

  • Break statement is used to stop the process or execution of code. It works as an exit statement. 

Continue:

  • Continue statement is also known as the jump statement. It is used to skip a segment of code.

Conditional Statement in C

Loops in C

For loop in C

While loop in C

Do-while loop in C

Syntax:

switch(expression)
{
case 1:
      statement(s);
break;
case 2:
      statement(s);
break;
default:
      statement(s);
}

Algorithm:

Step 1: Start
Step 2: Initialize value
Step 3: Check the expression
Step 4: If expression is true for given case, then execute the statement.
Step 5: If expression is false, then use default statements.
Step 6: Stop

Rules of Switch Statement:

  • Switch expression needs to be of the character or integer type.
  • Case value of switch statement must include an integer or character constant.
  • Each case in switch statement should have unique value.
  • Case value of switch statement can be used only inside the switch statement.
  • In the switch expression, the break statement is not required.
  • If all cases will be executed, there will be no chance to use break statements.
  • In switch statements if the cases are not matched to the given condition the system automatically uses the default case.

  • In switch statement, break statement is used as a keyword in C which  brings the program control out of the loop or given condition.

Example 1

Run 
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
    int a = 3;
    switch (a) {
    case 1:
        printf("1");
        break;
    case 2:
        printf("2");
        break;
    case 3:
        printf("3");
        break;
    case 4:
        printf("4");
        break;
    default:
        printf("Other than 1, 2, 3 and 4");
        break;
}
    return 0;
}

Output:

3

Example 2:

Run 
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
    int i;
    for(i=1; i<=10; i++){
        if(i==4 || i==7) {
            continue;
        }
        else{
            printf("%d\n",i);
        }
    }
    return 0;
}

Output:

1
2
3
5
6
8
9
10