local scope in a switch statement - where do we break?

Question

Possible Duplicate:
‘break’ statement when using curly braces in switch-case

While merging a package I came across this statement

switch (a)
{

case 1:
    {
        string str = "a is 1";
        cout << str << endl;
    }
    break;
case 2: ...
...

}

my question is does it matter if I place the break inside or outside the scope in case 1? here they place outside. I tried this and didn't see any difference. It makes sense to me that there is no difference but the guy with the PHD from my team said he remembers that there might be a difference but he can't remember what it is..

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/7374486/break-statement-when-using-curly-braces-in-switch-case — P.P, Aug 23 '12 at 17:09
I would recommend breaking outside the scope, despite it doesn't matter. For my gut feeling it seems to be the better style. — πάντα ῥεῖ, Aug 23 '12 at 17:11
@KingsIndian Thanks. Not the first string that came to mind while googling this issue — Digital Da, Aug 23 '12 at 17:12

score 11 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 23 '12 at 17:08

11

There is no difference whether you put the break inside or outside the scope.

answered Aug 23 '12 at 17:08

Mark Byers

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score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 23 '12 at 17:11

1

A break reached inside a switchblock causes the next statment outside this switch block to execute. Therefore, it does not matter where you place the break, inside or outside the scope.

answered Aug 23 '12 at 17:11

eversor

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local scope in a switch statement - where do we break?

2 Answers2