Question

What is the output of the following code when the input is C?

char lastInitial = 'S';
switch (lastInitial)
{
case 'A':
cout << ""section 1"" < break;
case 'B':
cout << ""section 2"" < break;
case 'C':
cout << ""section 3"" < break;
case 'D':
cout << ""section 4"" < break;
default:
cout << ""section 5"" < }

Answer 1

When the input to the provided C++ code is 'C', the output will be "section 3" as the code will execute the matched case 'C' in the switch-case construct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to understanding the output of a piece of C++ code that uses the switch-case construct. When the input is 'C', the code will execute the statements within the case labeled 'C' until it encounters the break statement. Assuming the given code snippet is error-free and the 'cout' statements are properly syntaxed (with two less-than signs), the output of the code when the input is 'C' will be:

"section 3"

Now, let's consider the given code's functionality. The variable 'lastInitial' is initialized with the character 'S'. Despite this initial value, we are interested in the output when 'lastInitial' is 'C'. As per the switch-case logic, the case that matches the value 'C' will execute, resulting in printing "section 3" to the standard output and then breaking out of the switch-case structure.