Java Break and Continue Statements

Java Break and Continue

Java provides two control statements, break and continue, which can be used to alter the flow of control in loops. These statements are part of Java's branching statements, which are used to control the execution of loops.

Break Statement

The break statement is used to quit a loop and jump out of it. It is commonly used in both for and while loops. Here's an example of how to use the break statement in a while loop:

int i = 0;
while (i < 5) {
    if (i == 2) {
        break;
    }
    System.out.println(i++);
}

In this example, the break statement is used to exit the loop when i equals 2. The loop will not execute any further once the break statement is encountered.

Continue Statement

The continue statement is used to skip the following statements and move to the next iteration in the loop. It is commonly used in for loops, but it can also be used in while loops. Here's an example of how to use the continue statement in a for loop:

for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
    if (i == 2) {
        continue;
    }
    System.out.println(i++);
}

In this example, the continue statement is used to skip the current iteration when i equals 2. The loop will not print the value of i in the current iteration. Instead, it will move on to the next iteration.

Differences between Break and Continue

The main difference between break and continue is that break exits a loop immediately, while continue skips the current iteration of the loop. When break is encountered, the loop is terminated, and the program control moves to the next statement after the loop. In contrast, continue skips the rest of the current iteration and starts the next iteration of the loop.

In the case of a switch statement, break is also used to break out of a particular case and move to the next statement after the switch.

Labeled Statements

Java also provides a feature called "labeled statements" that allows you to associate labels with blocks of code. These labels can be used with break and continue statements to perform more complex flow control. The break statement can be used to break out of a labelled block, but it is generally not recommended to use it with an if statement.

Conclusion

In Java, break and continue are essential control statements that can be used to alter the flow of control in loops. They provide a way to break out of a loop or skip the current iteration. The main difference between the two statements is that break exits the loop immediately, while continue skips the current iteration and starts the next one. By understanding and using these statements effectively, you can create more efficient and flexible Java programs.

Learn about Java's break and continue statements, which are used to control the flow of loops. Understand how to use them effectively in your Java programs, including the differences between break and continue and how to use labeled statements.