switch default

[Harikrishna Gorrepati]

Hi, This is from K&B mock exam. Please let me know why the output is
2
def
2.
I thought it would be
def
2
def
2.
The reason for my assumption is if there is no match before default, default and any statement after the default will be executed. Please advice

public class Question12_switch_Ask {
    final static short x = 2;

    public static void main(String[] args) {
	for (int z = 0; z < 2; z++) {
	    switch (z) {
	    default:
		System.out.println("def ");
	    case x - 2:
		System.out.println("2 ");
	    }
	}
    }
}

[Abimaran Kugathasan]

Which is the 'case' if z = 0?

[Tom Reilly]

The first time through the loop z is 0 so "2 " is printed because x-2 equals 0. The second time through the loop z is 1 so "def " is printed and then it prints "2 " because there is no break at the bottom of your default case. Then the loop ends.

[Harikrishna Gorrepati]

Hi Abimaran, I was thinking if case matches before default, case will be executed. If case is not matched, all the statements from default will be executed. But here, case that is matching after default is executed. Please let me know the logic/rule behind that.

Abimaran Kugathasan wrote:Which is the 'case' if z = 0?

Thanks Tom. I got your point and trying to understand the rule behind it.

[Abimaran Kugathasan]

It first check whether any 'case's match and, if any thing don't match, then only, the 'case' will be default. You clear it with the K&B's book!

[Harikrishna Gorrepati]

Matching the case after default is not there. Based on your comments, what I understand is, First it will try to match all cases before and after default. If it cannot find match, then default will be executed. Please let me know if my understanding is correct

Abimaran Kugathasan wrote:It first check whether any 'case's match and, if any thing don't match, then only, the 'case' will be default. You clear it with the K&B's book!

[vaibhav teli]

Harikrishna Gorrepati wrote:Matching the case after default is not there. Based on your comments, what I understand is, First it will try to match all cases before and after default. If it cannot find match, then default will be executed. Please let me know if my understanding is correct

Abimaran Kugathasan wrote:It first check whether any 'case's match and, if any thing don't match, then only, the 'case' will be default. You clear it with the K&B's book!

you nailed it!

[Abimaran Kugathasan]

Harikrishna Gorrepati wrote:Matching the case after default is not there. Based on your comments, what I understand is, First it will try to match all cases before and after default. If it cannot find match, then default will be executed. Please let me know if my understanding is correct

That's correct. And check if there is a break......., I think, you know the rest!