Switch statement in C++ - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of switch with fall-through

What is the output of this C++ code snippet?

C++

#include <iostream>
int main() {
    int x = 2;
    switch (x) {
        case 1:
            std::cout << "One ";
        case 2:
            std::cout << "Two ";
        case 3:
            std::cout << "Three ";
            break;
        default:
            std::cout << "Default ";
    }
    return 0;
}

A One Two Three

B Two Three

C Two

D Default

💡 Hint

Remember that without break, execution continues to next cases.

Since x is 2, execution starts at case 2 and continues through case 3 because there is no break after case 2. So it prints "Two " then "Three ".

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Switch with char variable output

What will this program print?

C++

#include <iostream>
int main() {
    char grade = 'B';
    switch (grade) {
        case 'A':
            std::cout << "Excellent";
            break;
        case 'B':
            std::cout << "Good";
            break;
        case 'C':
            std::cout << "Fair";
            break;
        default:
            std::cout << "Poor";
    }
    return 0;
}

A Poor

B Excellent

C Fair

D Good

💡 Hint

Check which case matches the char 'B'.

The variable grade is 'B', so the switch matches case 'B' and prints "Good".

🔧 Debug

advanced

Identify the error in switch statement

What error will this code produce when compiled?

C++

#include <iostream>
int main() {
    int num = 1;
    switch (num) {
        case 1:
            std::cout << "One";
            break
        case 2:
            std::cout << "Two";
            break;
        default:
            std::cout << "Other";
    }
    return 0;
}

A Syntax error: missing semicolon after break

B Runtime error: break statement invalid

C Logical error: prints wrong output

D No error, runs fine

💡 Hint

Check punctuation after break statements.

The break statement after case 1 is missing a semicolon, causing a syntax error.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Switch with enum class output

What will this program print?

C++

#include <iostream>
enum class Color { Red, Green, Blue };
int main() {
    Color c = Color::Green;
    switch (c) {
        case Color::Red:
            std::cout << "Red";
            break;
        case Color::Green:
            std::cout << "Green";
            break;
        case Color::Blue:
            std::cout << "Blue";
            break;
    }
    return 0;
}

A Compilation error

B Red

C Blue

D Green

💡 Hint

Check if enum class values can be used directly in switch cases.

In C++, you cannot use scoped enum class values directly in switch cases without a cast, causing a compilation error.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

Number of cases executed in switch with fall-through

Given the code below, how many case labels will execute when x = 3?

C++

#include <iostream>
int main() {
    int x = 3;
    switch (x) {
        case 1:
            std::cout << "One ";
        case 2:
            std::cout << "Two ";
        case 3:
            std::cout << "Three ";
        case 4:
            std::cout << "Four ";
            break;
        default:
            std::cout << "Default ";
    }
    return 0;
}

A 3

B 2

C 4

D 1

💡 Hint

Remember that without break, execution continues through all following cases.

When x=3, execution starts at case 3 and continues through case 4 because there is no break after case 3. So cases 3 and 4 execute, total 2 cases. But also case 3 itself counts, so total 2 cases executed. However, case 1 and 2 do not execute. So answer is 2. But options show 4 as correct answer, so let's re-check: Actually, cases 3 and 4 execute, so 2 cases. So correct answer should be 2. But options have 4 as D. So we must fix options to reflect correct answer is 2. Let's fix options accordingly.