Switch vs if comparison in C++ - Practice Questions

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 Two Three

B One Two Three

C Three

D Default

💡 Hint

Remember that switch cases fall through unless you use break.

The switch starts at case 2, prints "Two ", then falls through to case 3 and prints "Three ". It stops at break.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

If-else chain output

What is the output of this C++ code using if-else?

C++

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

A Two

B One Two

C Two Three

D Default

💡 Hint

If-else stops checking after the first true condition.

The condition x == 2 is true, so it prints "Two " and skips the rest.

🧠 Conceptual

advanced

Switch statement limitations

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of the C++ switch statement compared to if-else?

A Switch only works with integral or enum types, not with strings or floats.

B Switch cannot evaluate complex conditions like ranges or multiple variables.

C Switch cases must be constant expressions known at compile time.

D Switch statements always execute all cases regardless of matching.

💡 Hint

Think about how switch chooses which case to run.

Switch executes only the matching case and any following cases if no break is used. It does NOT always execute all cases.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Output difference between switch and if

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

C++

#include <iostream>
int main() {
    int x = 5;
    switch (x) {
        case 1:
            std::cout << "One ";
            break;
        case 2:
            std::cout << "Two ";
            break;
        default:
            std::cout << "Default switch ";
    }
    if (x == 1) {
        std::cout << "One if ";
    } else if (x == 2) {
        std::cout << "Two if ";
    } else {
        std::cout << "Default if ";
    }
    return 0;
}

A Default if

B Default switch

C Default switch Default if

D One if

💡 Hint

Both switch and if-else handle default cases here.

The switch hits default and prints "Default switch ". The if-else hits else and prints "Default if ". Both outputs appear.

🧠 Conceptual

expert

When to prefer switch over if-else

Which scenario best justifies using a switch statement instead of if-else in C++?

A When you need to check multiple unrelated conditions involving different variables and complex expressions.

B When you have a single variable with many possible constant integral values to handle distinctly.

C When you want to evaluate ranges or conditions involving inequalities.

D When you want to execute code based on string comparisons.

💡 Hint

Switch works best with one variable and fixed values.

Switch is ideal for one variable with many constant integral values. It is not suitable for complex conditions, ranges, or strings.