How do you use the break and continue statements in Java?

Table of Contents

Introduction

In Java, break and continue are control flow statements that can alter the normal execution of loops. Understanding how to use these statements effectively can help you manage loop execution, improving your program's control flow and logic.

The Break Statement

Purpose of Break

The break statement is used to exit a loop or a switch statement prematurely. When break is encountered, the control is transferred to the statement immediately following the loop or switch.

Example of Break in a Loop

Here's an example demonstrating the use of the break statement in a loop:

Output:

In this example, the loop runs from 1 to 10, but it exits when i equals 5 due to the break statement.

The Continue Statement

Purpose of Continue

The continue statement skips the current iteration of a loop and proceeds to the next iteration. This is particularly useful when you want to skip certain values without terminating the loop.

Example of Continue in a Loop

Here's an example showing how the continue statement works:

Output:

In this example, the loop iterates from 1 to 10, but it skips the print statement for even numbers, thanks to the continue statement.

Practical Usage of Break and Continue

Break in Switch Statements

The break statement is also commonly used in switch cases to prevent fall-through behavior:

Output:

Continue in While Loops

You can also use the continue statement in while loops:

Output:

Conclusion

The break and continue statements in Java provide powerful mechanisms for controlling loop execution. While break is used to exit a loop or switch statement, continue is utilized to skip the current iteration and proceed to the next one. By using these statements effectively, you can create more efficient and readable code, enhancing the overall control flow of your Java applications.

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