Java break and continue Statements
Control flow statements like break and continue allow you to alter the
normal execution of loops in Java. They help you exit loops early or skip
specific iterations, improving efficiency and readability in many
scenarios.
Java break Statement
The break statement immediately terminates the nearest enclosing loop or
switch block and
transfers control to the statement that follows it.
It is commonly used when a stopping condition is met before the loop
finishes naturally.
Example 1: Stopping a Loop When a Condition Is Met
This program prints numbers from 1 onward but stops when it encounters a
multiple of 7.
public class BreakExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
for (int num = 1; num <= 20; num++)
{
if (num % 7 == 0) {
System.out.println("Stopped at: " + num);
break;
}
System.out.println("Number: " +
num);
}
}
}
Output
Number: 1
Number: 2
Number: 3
Number: 4
Number: 5
Number: 6
Stopped at: 7
Java continue Statement
The continue statement skips the current iteration of a loop and proceeds
directly to the next iteration.
It is useful when certain values should be ignored without stopping the
entire loop.
Example 2: Skipping Specific Values
This program prints numbers from 1 to 10 but skips all even
numbers.
public class ContinueExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++)
{
if (i % 2 == 0) {
continue;
}
System.out.println("Odd number:
" + i);
}
}
}
Output
Odd number: 1
Odd number: 3
Odd number: 5
Odd number: 7
Odd number: 9
Combining break and continue
You can use both statements within the same loop to skip certain values
and stop processing at a defined condition.
Example 3: Skip and Stop in the Same Loop
This program skips multiples of 3 but stops entirely when a number
greater than 10 is reached.
public class BreakContinueCombined {
public static void main(String[] args) {
for (int i = 1; i <= 15; i++)
{
if (i % 3 == 0) {
continue; // skip
multiples of 3
}
if (i > 10) {
System.out.println("Stopping at: " + i);
break;
}
System.out.println("Processed:
" + i);
}
}
}
Output
Processed: 1
Processed: 2
Processed: 4
Processed: 5
Processed: 7
Processed: 8
Processed: 10
Stopping at: 11
Using break and continue in while Loops
Both statements work the same way in while loops as in for
loops.
Example 4: break in a While Loop
This program generates numbers until a value divisible by 5 is
found.
public class WhileBreakExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int n = 1;
while (n <= 20) {
if (n % 5 == 0) {
System.out.println("Terminated at: " + n);
break;
}
System.out.println(n);
n++;
}
}
}
Example 5: continue in a While Loop
This program prints numbers from 1 to 10 but skips numbers divisible by
4.
public class WhileContinueExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int n = 0;
while (n < 10) {
n++;
if (n % 4 == 0) {
continue;
}
System.out.println(n);
}
}
}
Real-World Example: Filtering and Stopping Conditions
Imagine processing sensor readings where:
- Negative values → invalid → skip
- Zero → critical stop signal → terminate
- Positive values → valid → process
public class SensorProcessing {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int[] readings = {5, -2, 8, 3, 0, 6,
9};
for (int value : readings) {
if (value < 0)
{
continue; //
ignore invalid readings
}
if (value == 0) {
System.out.println("Critical stop detected.");
break;
}
System.out.println("Valid
reading: " + value);
}
}
}
Output
Valid reading: 5
Valid reading: 8
Valid reading: 3
Critical stop detected.
