Java Break and Continue

The break and continue keywords in Java are used to control the flow of loops and switch statements. They provide a way to alter the normal execution sequence by either exiting a loop or skipping the current iteration.

break Keyword

The break keyword is used to exit a loop or switch statement prematurely. It immediately terminates the loop or switch and transfers control to the statement following the loop or switch.

Syntax

break;

Example: Using break in a Loop

public class BreakExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
            if (i == 5) {
                break;  // Exit loop when i is 5
            }
            System.out.println(i);
        }
    }
}

In this example, the break statement is used to exit the loop when i equals 5. As a result, the numbers 0 through 4 are printed.

continue Keyword

The continue keyword is used to skip the current iteration of a loop and proceed to the next iteration. It does not terminate the loop; instead, it causes the loop to jump to the next iteration.

Syntax

continue;

Example: Using continue in a Loop

public class ContinueExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
            if (i % 2 == 0) {
                continue;  // Skip even numbers
            }
            System.out.println(i);
        }
    }
}

Here, the continue statement skips the even numbers in the loop. Only odd numbers from 1 to 9 are printed.

Tips and Best Practices

• Use break Wisely: Use break to exit loops when a certain condition is met, but avoid overusing it as it can make the code harder to read and maintain.
• continue for Skipping: Use continue to skip unnecessary iterations, especially in loops where certain conditions need to be bypassed.
• Nested Loops: In nested loops, break and continue apply to the innermost loop. Use labeled statements to break or continue outer loops if needed.

outerLoop:
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
    for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++) {
        if (i == j) {
            continue outerLoop;  // Skip to next iteration of outer loop
        }
        System.out.println("i: " + i + ", j: " + j);
    }
}

• Avoid Excessive Use: Excessive use of break and continue can lead to complex and less readable code. Consider refactoring loops for clarity.