MISRA C:2012 Rule 16.2

A switch label shall only be used when the most closely-enclosing compound statement is the body of a switch statement

Description

Rule Definition

A switch label shall only be used when the most closely-enclosing compound statement is the body of a switch statement1

Rationale

The C Standard permits placing a switch label (for instance, case or default) before any statement contained in the body of a switch statement. This flexibility can lead to unstructured code. To prevent unstructured code, make sure a switch label appears only at the outermost level of the body of a switch statement.

Additional Message in Report

All messages in report file begin with "MISRA-C switch statements syntax normative restriction."

  • Initializers shall not be used in switch clauses.

  • The child statement of a switch shall be a compound statement.

  • All switch clauses shall appear at the same level.

  • A switch clause shall only contain switch labels and switch clauses, and no other code.

  • A switch statement shall only contain switch labels and switch clauses, and no other code.

Troubleshooting

If you expect a rule violation but do not see it, refer to Diagnose Why Coding Standard Violations Do Not Appear as Expected.

Check Information

Group: Switch Statements
Category: Required
AGC Category: Advisory

See Also

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Topics

1 All MISRA coding rules and directives are © Copyright The MISRA Consortium Limited 2021.

The MISRA coding standards referenced in the Polyspace® Bug Finder™ documentation are from the following MISRA standards:

  • MISRA C:2004

  • MISRA C:2012

  • MISRA C:2023

  • MISRA C++:2008

  • MISRA C++:2023

MISRA and MISRA C are registered trademarks of The MISRA Consortium Limited 2021.