In a switch statement, what role does the case keyword serve?

The case keyword in a switch statement is used to specify a condition that the switch expression will be compared against. In a switch statement, the control variable's value is evaluated, and the execution flow goes to the block of code associated with the first matching case. Each case defines a potential value for the control variable, and if a match is found, the corresponding block of code is executed.

This mechanism allows for a clean and efficient branching of code execution based on the value of a single variable, facilitating better readability and organization than using multiple if-else statements. The presence of the case keyword makes it clear where each potential condition begins, contributing to the structured format of the switch statement.

In contrast, other options describe aspects not directly related to the purpose of the case keyword. The role of default action is covered by the default keyword, marking the end of the switch statement is not the function of any keyword but rather defined by the braces enclosing the cases and the default, and denoting a loop is outside the context of a switch statement entirely.