← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

CASE OF ... ENDCASE (7a)

Runs the statement beside the first value that matches the variable. An optional OTHERWISE clause, placed last, runs if nothing matches. ENDCASE closes the structure.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7a Program Development Life Cycle — Module 43

Understanding CASE OF ... ENDCASE (7a) in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: Each indented line holds one value ("A" or "B") followed by a colon and its statement. The first match is the one that runs. OTHERWISE comes after the cases 1 and 2, so it only runs when Day is neither 1 nor 2. A CASE structure starts with CASE OF followed by the identifier being tested. THEN is used with IF, not CASE. Every CASE OF is closed with ENDCASE. ENDIF closes an IF statement. OTHERWISE must always be last. Move the 2 : OUTPUT "Stop" line above the OTHERWISE line.

Common mistakes: Each case needs a colon between its value and its statement. Line 3 should be 2 : OUTPUT "Stop". The colon is missing after the value 1. The line should be 1 : OUTPUT "Mon".

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 37–46) and word search (Modules 27–46).

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Learning

Duo

Which line correctly starts a CASE structure that tests a variable called Grade?

CASE OF GradeCASE Grade THEN

Matches

CASE OF Choice 1 : OUTPUT "Start" OTHERWISE : OUTPUT "Error" 2 : OUTPUT "Stop" ENDCASE

↓

OTHERWISE is not the last clause. It must come after all the case values, so the 2 case should be placed before it.

Applying

Meanings

Term

CASE OF

Meaning

Runs the statement beside the first value that matches the variable. An optional OTHERWISE clause, placed last, runs if nothing matches. ENDCASE closes the structure.

Practice

CASE OF Grade

Testing

Gaps

Choice

Check Answer

Spots

2 1 : OUTPUT "Start"

3 2 = OUTPUT "Stop"

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Quick Questions

1. Which line correctly starts a CASE structure that tests a variable called Grade?

A. CASE OF Grade ✓

B. CASE Grade THEN

A CASE structure starts with CASE OF followed by the identifier being tested. THEN is used with IF, not CASE.

2. Where does the OTHERWISE clause go in a CASE structure?

A. First, straight after CASE OF

B. Last, just before ENDCASE ✓

OTHERWISE is checked only when no value matched, so it is written after all the cases and before ENDCASE.

3. What does OTHERWISE do?

A. Runs its statement when no case value matches ✓

B. Runs its statement every time, after the matching case

OTHERWISE is the default. It runs only if none of the listed values matched the variable.

4. Which keyword closes a CASE structure?

A. ENDIF

B. ENDCASE ✓

Every CASE OF is closed with ENDCASE. ENDIF closes an IF statement.

5. Which case line is written correctly in Cambridge pseudocode?

A. 2 : OUTPUT "Two" ✓

B. 2 : OUTPUT "Two" ENDIF

Each case is a value, a colon, then the statement to run. It sits indented two spaces inside the structure and needs no ENDIF.

Match the Pairs

OTHERWISE : OUTPUT "Invalid" → The last clause of a CASE structure. It runs only if no case value matches the variable.

ENDCASE → Closes the CASE OF structure.

Each case has one value, then a colon, then the statement to run when the variable equals that value. → CASE OF Grade "A" : OUTPUT "Top" "B" : OUTPUT "Good" ENDCASE

OTHERWISE is written last, after every case value, and covers all values that do not match. → CASE OF Day 1 : OUTPUT "Mon" 2 : OUTPUT "Tue" OTHERWISE : OUTPUT "Other" ENDCASE

CASE OF Choice 1 : OUTPUT "Start" OTHERWISE : OUTPUT "Error" 2 : OUTPUT "Stop" ENDCASE → OTHERWISE is not the last clause. It must come after all the case values, so the 2 case should be placed before it.

CASE OF Choice 1 : OUTPUT "Start" 2 : OUTPUT "Stop" ENDIF → The structure is closed with ENDIF instead of ENDCASE.

Key Term

CASE OF

Runs the statement beside the first value that matches the variable. An optional OTHERWISE clause, placed last, runs if nothing matches. ENDCASE closes the structure.

Fill in the Blanks

1. CASE OF Choice 1 : OUTPUT "Start" ENDCASE

Hint: Type the two keywords that begin a multi-way selection on a variable.

2. CASE OF Choice 1 : OUTPUT "Start" ENDCASE

Hint: Type the keyword that closes the CASE structure.

3. 2 : OUTPUT "Stop" OTHERWISE : OUTPUT "Invalid" ENDCASE

Hint: Type the keyword for the clause that runs when no value matches. It is always placed last.

4. CASE OF Choice 1 : OUTPUT "Start" ENDCASE

Hint: Type the symbol that separates a case value from the statement beside it.

5. 1 : OUTPUT "One" 2 : OUTPUT "Two" 3 : OUTPUT "Three"

Hint: Type the case value that fits the sequence between the other cases.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A CASE OF Choice

B 1 : OUTPUT "Start"

C 2 = OUTPUT "Stop"

D OTHERWISE OUTPUT "Error"

E ENDCASE

Line C — Each case needs a colon between its value and its statement. Line 3 should be 2 : OUTPUT "Stop".

Question 2

A CASE OF Day

B 1 OUTPUT "Mon"

C 2 : OUTPUT "Tue"

D ENDCASE

Line B — The colon is missing after the value 1. The line should be 1 : OUTPUT "Mon".

Question 3

A CASE OF Mark

B 'A' : OUTPUT "Top"

C 'B' : OUTPUT Good

D OTHERWISE OUTPUT "None"

E ENDCASE

Line C — The text being output is a string, so it needs double quotes. Line 3 should be 'B' : OUTPUT "Good".

Question 4

A CASE OF Size

B 1 : OUTPUT "Small"

C 2 : OUTPUT "Large"

D ENDIF

Line D — A CASE OF structure is closed with ENDCASE, not ENDIF. Line 4 should be ENDCASE.

Question 5

A CASE OF Answer

B Y : OUTPUT "Yes"

C 'N' : OUTPUT "No"

D OTHERWISE OUTPUT "Unknown"

E ENDCASE

Line B — The case value is a CHAR literal, so it needs single quotes. Without them Y looks like a variable. It should be 'Y'.

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