Switch statement within while loop in C

Question

There are several postings concerning switch statements within while loops, except for the fact that none of them are done in C, at least from what I've seen. C++ can create boolean expressions, which I'm aware of, but not in C. I have a while loop that contains a switch control. However, when I write break statements within my switch, it goes back to the beginning of the loop and makes my program run forever. Ignore the functions I use, for they work for sure. I just need some clarification on my handling of the nesting. Thanks!

Here is my main.c:

while(1)
{
    printf("0) Exit\n1) List Tasks\n2) Add Task\n");                                            
    printf("3)Delete Task\n4) Add Task From File\n");                                           
    printf("What would you like to do?\n");
    fgets(buf1, 50, stdin);                                                                     
    p = atoi(buf1);
    switch(p)
    {
          case 0: 
            break;
          case 1: 
            printTaskList(pTaskList);
            break;
          case 2:
            printf("Enter task name: ");
            fgets(buf2,100,stdin);
            printf("Enter task priority: ");
            fgets(buf3,100,stdin);
            printf("Enter task start date: ");
            fgets(buf4,50,stdin);
            pTask = makeTask(buf2,buf4,buf3);
            addTaskToEnd(pTaskList,pTask);
            break;
          case 3:
            printTaskList(pTaskList);
            printf("What task would you like to delete? ");
            fgets(buf6,50,stdin);
            taskNum = atoi(buf6);
            removeTask(pTaskList,taskNum);
            break;
          case 4:
            printf("Enter the filename ");
            fgets(buf7,50,stdin);
            break;
          default:
            printf("ERROR: %d: Incorrect menu option\n", p);
     }
}

Answer 1

break; will exit out of the nearest enclosing switch or loop. To jump two levels, you'll have to use the dreaded goto, or reorganize so a return will accomplish the desired semantics.

while(1) {
    switch(x) {
    case 0: goto EndWhile;
    }
}
EndWhile: ;

Or

void loop() {
    while(1) {
        switch(x) {
        case 0: return;
        }
    }
}
//...
loop();
//...

You can totally use a Boolean expression in C. Just use an int.

int quit = 0;
while(!quit) {
    switch(x) {
    case 0: quit = 1; break;
    }
}

C also has a boolean data type, if you really want it.

#include <stdbool.h>

bool quit = false;
while(!quit) {
    switch(x) {
    case 0: quit = true; break;
    }
}

And one more option, for the totally insane.

#include <setjmp.h>

jmp_buf jbuf;
if (!setjmp(jbuf))
    while(1) {
        switch(x) {
        case 0: longjmp(jbuf, 1);
        }
    }