What is the function of a 'switch' statement?

A 'switch' statement is used to evaluate an expression and branch code execution based on matching cases. It acts as a control structure that simplifies the process of making decisions based on the value of a variable or expression. When a 'switch' statement is executed, it compares the value against multiple possible matches defined by 'case' labels. When a match is found, the related block of code for that case is executed.

This is particularly useful when there are several potential values for a single variable, and using multiple 'if' statements would lead to less readable and more complex code. By organizing the logic into distinct cases, a 'switch' statement improves clarity and can enhance performance, especially when dealing with many conditions.

The 'switch' statement allows the program to execute specific blocks of code based on the value of the expression, handling various cases in an efficient manner. In contrast, the other options relate to different functionalities in programming, such as returning values from functions, storing values in arrays, and controlling loop execution, which do not capture the specific functionality of a 'switch' statement.