Labeled statements

There are three kinds of labels: identifier, case, and default.


Labeled statement syntax

>>-identifier--:--statement------------------------------------><

The label consists of the identifier and the colon (:) character.

A label name must be unique within the function in which it appears.

C++ only In C++, an identifier label can only be used as the target of a goto statement. A goto statement can use a label before its definition. Identifier labels have their own namespace; you do not have to worry about identifier labels conflicting with other identifiers. However, you cannot redeclare a label within a function. C++ only

Case and default label statements only appear in switch statements. These labels are accessible only within the closest enclosing switch statement.


case statement syntax

>>-case--constant_expression--:--statement---------------------><


default statement syntax

>>-default--:--statement---------------------------------------><

The following are examples of labels:

 comment_complete : ;            /* null statement label */
 test_for_null : if (NULL == pointer)