When do you use code blocks?

Question

When do you use code blocks in C/C++/C#, etc.? I know the theoretical reason behind them, but when do you use them in real programs?

EDIT: I have ju

Answer 1

I sometimes, but rarely, use naked code blocks to limit scope. For example, take the following code:

double bedroomTemperature = ReadTemperature(Room.Bedroom);
database.Store(Room.Bedroom, bedroomTemperature);

double bathroomTemperature = ReadTemperature(Room.Bathroom);
database.Store(Room.Bedroom, bedroomTemperature);

The code looks fine at first glance, but contains a subtle copy-pasta error. In the database we have stored the bedroom temperature for both readings. If it had been written as:

{
    double bedroomTemperature = ReadTemperature(Room.Bedroom);
    database.Store(Room.Bedroom, bedroomTemperature);
}

{
    double bathroomTemperature = ReadTemperature(Room.Bathroom);
    database.Store(Room.Bedroom, bedroomTemperature);
}

Then the compiler (or even IDE if it is intelligent enough) would have spotted this.

However, 90% of the time the code can be refactored to make the naked blocks unnecessary, e.g. the above code would be better written as a loop or two calls to a method that reads and stores the temperature:

foreach (Room room in [] { Room.Bedroom, Room.Bathroom })
{
    double temperature = ReadTemperature(room);
    database.Store(room, temperature);
}

Naked blocks are useful on occasion though.