C++ Enum Switch Case Example

4 min read Jul 02, 2024

C++ Enum Switch Case Example

Enums (enumerations) in C++ provide a way to define a set of named integer constants. This makes your code more readable and easier to maintain. The switch statement allows you to execute different blocks of code based on the value of a variable. This article will demonstrate how to use enums and switch statements together in C++.

Example Code

#include 

// Define an enum called Color
enum Color {
    RED,
    GREEN,
    BLUE
};

int main() {
    // Declare a variable of type Color and assign it a value
    Color userColor = BLUE;

    // Use a switch statement to handle different colors
    switch (userColor) {
        case RED:
            std::cout << "The color is red" << std::endl;
            break;
        case GREEN:
            std::cout << "The color is green" << std::endl;
            break;
        case BLUE:
            std::cout << "The color is blue" << std::endl;
            break;
        default:
            std::cout << "Invalid color!" << std::endl;
    }

    return 0;
}

Explanation

Enum Declaration: The enum Color declaration defines an enumeration called Color with three constants: RED, GREEN, and BLUE. By default, these constants have values 0, 1, and 2 respectively.
Variable Declaration: A variable userColor of type Color is declared and assigned the value BLUE.
Switch Statement: The switch statement evaluates the value of userColor.
Case Statements: Each case statement checks if the value of userColor matches the constant defined in the case. If a match is found, the corresponding code block is executed.
Break Statement: The break statement is used to exit the switch statement after a match is found. This prevents the execution of subsequent case statements.
Default Statement: The default statement is optional. It is executed if none of the case statements match the value of the variable.

Output

The above code will produce the following output:

The color is blue

Advantages of Using Enums and Switch Statements

Readability: Enums improve code readability by replacing magic numbers with descriptive names.
Maintainability: When you need to change the value of a constant, you only need to modify it in the enum definition, not throughout your code.
Error Prevention: Switch statements enforce a clear and structured approach to handling different values, reducing the risk of errors.

Conclusion

Combining enums and switch statements in C++ provides a powerful and efficient way to manage and handle different values in your code. This approach makes your code cleaner, more readable, and less error-prone.

C++ Enum Switch Case Example