C++ nested switch statements

It is possible to have a switch as part of the statement sequence of an outer switch. Even if the case constants of the inner and outer switch contain common values, no conflicts will arise.

C++ specifies that at least 256 levels of nesting be allowed for switch statements.

Syntax

The syntax for a nested switch statement is as follows −

switch(ch1) {
   case 'A': 
      cout << "This A is part of outer switch";
      switch(ch2) {
         case 'A':
            cout << "This A is part of inner switch";
            break;
         case 'B': // ...
      }
      break;
   case 'B': // ...
}

Example

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
 
int main () {
   // local variable declaration:
   int a = 100;
   int b = 200;
 
   switch(a) {
      case 100: 
         cout << "This is part of outer switch" << endl;
         switch(b) {
            case 200:
               cout << "This is part of inner switch" << endl;
         }
   }
   cout << "Exact value of a is : " << a << endl;
   cout << "Exact value of b is : " << b << endl;
 
   return 0;
}

This would produce the following result −

This is part of outer switch
This is part of inner switch
Exact value of a is : 100
Exact value of b is : 200