Question

#include <stdio.h>

int i, party;
char x = ' ';
float total = 0, perCost = 0;
main(){

            switch (toupper(x)) {
                case 'A':
                    printf("Combo A: Friend Chicken with slaw [price: 4.25]");
                    perCost = 4.24;             
                    break;
                case 'B':
                    printf("Combo B: Roast beef with mashed potato [price: 5.75]");
                    perCost = 5.75;
                    break;
                case 'C':
                    printf("Combo A: Fish and chips [price: 5.25]");
                    perCost = 5.25;
                    break;
                case 'D':
                    printf("Combo A: soup and salad [price: 3.74]");
                    perCost = 3.75;
                    break;
                default:
                    perCost = 0;
                    break;
            }

    printf("Enter Party Total: ");
    scanf("%d", &party);
    for (i = 0; i < party; i++) {
            printf("Enter item ordered [A/B/C/D/X]: ");
            scanf("%c%*c", &x);
    }
    total = total + perCost;
    printf("%f\n", total);
}

What is causing my programming to not grab from the switch statement?

Answer 1

As per the given code, when the execution first come to the switch() the value of x is ' ' , so the by executing the switch() gives perCost = 0 executing the default condition in switch() make you believe that the program din grab the switch().(Note that the execution never come back to here again)

To achieve what you supposed, give the switch() inside the for (i = 0; i < party; i++) loop, specifically, below your scanf.

Note that total = total + perCost; is misplaced, as of now, it wont calculate the total but only gives the perCost of the last combo you ordered.This is also supposed to be inside the loop.

You need a #include <cctype.h> in your program.