Difference between break and continue statement in C
In this article, we will discuss the difference between the break and continue statements in C. They are the same type of statements which is used to alter the flow of a program still they have some difference between them.
break statement: This statement terminates the smallest enclosing loop (i.e., while, do-while, for loop, or switch statement). Below is the program to illustrate the same:
C
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
int i = 0, j = 0;
for ( int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
printf ( "i = %d, j = " , i);
for ( int j = 0; j < 5; j++) {
if (j == 2)
break ;
printf ( "%d " , j);
}
printf ( "\n" );
}
return 0;
}
|
Output:
i = 0, j = 0 1
i = 1, j = 0 1
i = 2, j = 0 1
i = 3, j = 0 1
i = 4, j = 0 1
Explanation: In the above program the inner for loop always ends when the value of the variable j becomes 2.
continue statement: This statement skips the rest of the loop statement and starts the next iteration of the loop to take place. Below is the program to illustrate the same:
C
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
int i = 0, j = 0;
for ( int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
printf ( "i = %d, j = " , i);
for ( int j = 0; j < 5; j++) {
if (j == 2)
continue ;
printf ( "%d " , j);
}
printf ( "\n" );
}
return 0;
}
|
Output:
i = 0, j = 0 1 3 4
i = 1, j = 0 1 3 4
i = 2, j = 0 1 3 4
i = 3, j = 0 1 3 4
i = 4, j = 0 1 3 4
Explanation: In the above program the inner for loop always skip the iteration when the value of the variable j becomes 2.
Tabular Difference Between the break and continue statement:
Break Statement |
Continue Statement |
The Break statement is used to exit from the loop constructs. |
The continue statement is not used to exit from the loop constructs. |
The break statement is usually used with the switch statement, and it can also use it within the while loop, do-while loop, or the for-loop. |
The continue statement is not used with the switch statement, but it can be used within the while loop, do-while loop, or for-loop. |
When a break statement is encountered then the control is exited from the loop construct immediately. |
When the continue statement is encountered then the control automatically passed from the beginning of the loop statement. |
Syntax: break; |
Syntax: continue; |
Break statements uses switch and label statements. |
It does not use switch and label statements. |
Leftover iterations are not executed after the break statement. |
Leftover iterations can be executed even if the continue keyword appears in a loop. |
Last Updated :
10 Apr, 2023
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