Using break and continue in Python

Using break and continue in Python. Python is a versatile and intuitive programming language used in a variety of fields, from web development to data analysis and artificial intelligence. Having a strong grasp of control flow statements like break and continuecan enhance your coding efficiency and problem-solving skills. In this article, we will understand these two statements, their functionality, and how they can be used effectively in loops.

break Statement in Python

The break statement in Python is used to exit or break out of a loop when a specific condition is met. This means that it stops the execution of the loop and proceeds to the next line of code outside the loop.

break Syntax in Python

while condition:
    # code
    if break_condition:
        break
    # more code

Or,

for item in iterable:
    # code
    if break_condition:
        break
    # more code

Example of break in Python

Imagine you are searching for a particular value in a list. Once you find a value, there is no need to continue looping through the rest of the list.

numbers = [1,3,5,2,4,7,6,8]
for n in numbers:
    if n == 2:
        print("Found the number 2")
        break # exit the loop 
print("outside the loop")        

In this example, once the number 2 is found, the break the statement exists in the loop, and the program continues with the next line, printing “outside the loop”.

continue Statement in Python

The continue on the other hand, the statement in Python is used to skip the rest of the code inside a loop for the current iteration only. The loop does not terminate but continues on with the next iteration.

continue Syntax in Python

while condition:
    # code
    if continue_condition:
        continue
    # more code

Or,

for item in iterable:
    # code
    if continue_condition:
        continue
    # more code

Example of continue in Python

Let’s say we want to print all numbers from 1 to 5, except for number 3.

for n in range (1,6):
    if n == 3:
        continue
    print(n)

In this example, when n is 5, the continue statement is executed. This skips the print(n) statement for this iteration only, and the loop continues with the next number.

Practical Use Cases for break and continue

• Filtering Data: We can use continue to filter out specific values from the data set while iterating, making it very useful for data-cleaning tasks.
• Early Loop Termination: We can use break it to exit a loop as soon as a condition is met. This is helpful in scenarios where continuing the loop is unnecessary.
• Nested Loop: Both break and continue can be particularly useful in nested loops, where we have to skip some iteration or exit from the inner loop based on certain conditions.

In conclusion, break and continue are powerful Python keywords that, when used correctly, can make your loops more efficient.

Happy Coding & Learning

See Also

• C Program for Structure of Students Details
• Circular Queue Implementation in C