Switch Case Usage

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Software Syntax & Programs
1

Hello,

I'm trying to use the 'switch case' to choose between cases with my accelerometer:

  switch(axis) {
    case 'X':
      code = 0x06; //Return register for X data
      return code;
      Serial.println("Found X");
      break;
    case 'Y':
      code = 0x07;
      return code;
      Serial.println("Found Y");
      break;
    case 'Z':
      code = 0x08;
      Serial.println("Found Z");
      return code;
  }

the serial println's are there for debugging, I never see any output so it's never getting to any of the cases. I'm pretty sure it's because it's not correctly comparing the axis being passed in to the character in each case.

Here's the calling code:

  //Handle Accelerometer

    Serial.print("X Data: ");
    xValue = getAccelData(X);
    Serial.println(xValue);
    
    Serial.print("Y Data: ");
    yValue = getAccelData(Y);
    Serial.println(yValue);
    
    Serial.print("Z Data: ");
    zValue = getAccelData(Z);
    Serial.println(zValue);
    delay(500);

Can you only use integers with switch cases?

2

Doesn't the "return code;" line cause the program to exit the subroutine, so it never reaches the println command? Try putting the println before the return.

Also, you can put a "default" case in your switch statement, just to confirm it's not picking any of the cases.
http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/SwitchCase

Good luck!

3

Yes, it does :slight_smile:

Can you use characters as case variables though? I have the code working using integers but i really want to use characters as it makes the code so much clearer.

IE this works:

  switch(axis) {
    case 1:
      code = 0x06; //Set register for X data
      break;
    case 2:
      code = 0x07;
      break;
    case 3:
      code = 0x08;
      break;
  }
4

You can use characters instead of integers.

This code works. Hopefully it'll help you see what you need to do.

void setup()                    // run once, when the sketch starts
{
  Serial.begin(9600);           // set up Serial library at 9600 bps
}

void loop()                       // run over and over again
{
  int value;
  
  value = getAccelData('X');      // Notice that 'X' is in single quotes
  Serial.println(value);
  value = getAccelData('Y');      // Also, case is important
  Serial.println(value);
  value = getAccelData('Z');
  Serial.println(value);
  value = getAccelData('@');
  Serial.println(value);
}

int getAccelData(char axis)        // Notice that axis is defined as type char
{
  int code;
  switch(axis) {
    case 'X':                               // Notice 'X' is in single quotes
      Serial.println("Found X");
      code = 0x06; //Return register for X data
      return code;
      break;
    case 'Y':
      Serial.println("Found Y");
      code = 0x07;
      return code;
      break;
    case 'Z':
      Serial.println("Found Z");
      code = 0x08;
      return code;
      break;
    default:
      Serial.println("default");
      return 0;
  }
}
5

Minor point: All those "break;" s are redundant.

Why bother with a switch? Why not use a simple lookup table?
Or even simple arithmetic?
[uncompiled, untested]

int getAccelData(char axis)      
{
  if (axis >= 'X' && axis <= 'Z')
     return (axis - 'X') + 6;   
  else 
     return 0;
}

or, shorter yet:

int getAccelData (char axis)      
{
     return (axis >= 'X' && axis <= 'Z') ? (axis - 'X') + 6 : 0;   
}

Of course, you may want to define 6 as something meaningful.

6

AWOL, I agree your code will work, and it's clever.

However, "clever" code is usually harder to maintain in the future, either for others or yourself in a few months. It doesn't adapt well to new requirements. And it can pin the compiler down, even if the compiler could have done it in fewer machine operations on a particular processor.

Write the intent clearly, even if it takes a little more room in the editor window. Let the C compiler figure out the best way of squeezing the actual logic into machine language.