C switch fall-through with a default label before cases: determine program output #include<stdio.h> int main() { int i=4; switch(i) { default: printf("This is default "); case 1: printf("This is case 1 "); break; case 2: printf("This is case 2 "); break; case 3: printf("This is case 3 "); } return 0; }

Introduction / Context:This problem examines how a switch statement behaves when the switch expression does not match any case label, but there is a default label placed before other cases. It also checks understanding of fall-through and the effect of break.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• i equals 4; there is no case 4.
• The default label appears before case 1 and is not followed by a break.
• case 1 has a break; subsequent cases also contain breaks or end.

Concept / Approach:If no case matches, control jumps to default. Execution then continues sequentially until a break or the end of the switch. Because default is followed by case 1 without a break, the code “falls through” into case 1 and prints both lines.

Step-by-Step Solution:No case 4: jump to default.Execute printf → “This is default”.Fall through to case 1 → print “This is case 1”.Hit break at case 1 → exit switch. No other lines print.

Verification / Alternative check:Insert a break after default and re-run: only “This is default” would print. This demonstrates fall-through behavior.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:Other orders do not reflect control flow: case 3 never runs; printing only default ignores fall-through.

Common Pitfalls:Assuming default must appear last; forgetting that missing break allows fall-through; expecting an implicit break after default.

Final Answer:This is default This is case 1