Continue statement in C++ - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the continue statement do in a loop?

It skips the rest of the current loop iteration and immediately starts the next iteration of the loop.

beginner

In which types of loops can you use the continue statement in C++?

You can use continue in for, while, and do-while loops.

intermediate

What happens if continue is used inside a nested loop?

It only affects the innermost loop where it is used, skipping to the next iteration of that loop.

beginner

True or False: The continue statement exits the entire loop.

False. continue skips to the next iteration but does not exit the loop. The break statement exits the loop.

beginner

Example: What will be the output of this code?

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
  if (i == 3) continue;
  std::cout << i << " ";
}

The output will be: 1 2 4 5
The number 3 is skipped because when i == 3, continue skips printing it.

What does the continue statement do inside a loop?

A Pauses the loop until user input

B Exits the entire loop immediately

C Skips the rest of the current iteration and starts the next iteration

D Restarts the program

The continue statement skips the remaining code in the current loop iteration and moves to the next iteration.

In a for loop, what happens after a continue statement is executed?

A The loop variable resets to zero

B The loop ends immediately

C The program crashes

D The loop variable is updated and the next iteration begins

After continue, the loop updates the loop variable (like incrementing) and starts the next iteration.

Can continue be used in a while loop?

A Yes, it skips to the next iteration

B No, it only works in <code>for</code> loops

C Only if the loop has a break

D Only inside functions

continue works in all loop types including while loops.

What is the difference between continue and break?

A <code>continue</code> exits the loop; <code>break</code> skips iteration

B <code>continue</code> skips to next iteration; <code>break</code> exits the loop

C Both do the same thing

D Neither affects the loop

continue skips the rest of the current iteration, while break stops the loop completely.

If continue is used inside nested loops, which loop does it affect?

A Only the innermost loop where it appears

B All loops at once

C Only the outermost loop

D It causes an error

continue affects only the loop it is directly inside.

Explain how the continue statement changes the flow inside a loop.

Think about what happens when you want to skip some steps but keep looping.

Describe a real-life example where using continue in a loop would be helpful.

Imagine sorting mail and skipping junk mail without stopping the whole process.

Practice

1. What does the continue statement do inside a loop in C++?

easy

A. It stops the entire loop immediately.

B. It skips the rest of the current loop iteration and moves to the next iteration.

C. It exits the current function.

D. It restarts the program from the beginning.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of continue in loops

   The continue statement tells the program to skip the remaining code in the current loop cycle.

2. Step 2: Identify what happens after continue

   After skipping, the loop moves to the next iteration immediately without executing the rest of the loop body.

3. Final Answer:

   It skips the rest of the current loop iteration and moves to the next iteration. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Continue skips current iteration [OK]

Hint: Continue skips current loop step, not whole loop [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking continue stops the loop completely
• Confusing continue with break
• Assuming continue exits the function

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to use continue inside a for loop in C++?

easy

A. continue;

B. continue()

C. continue{}

D. continue[]

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the syntax of continue in C++

   The continue statement is a keyword and used alone followed by a semicolon.

2. Step 2: Check each option's syntax

   Only continue; is valid. The others use parentheses or braces which are incorrect.

3. Final Answer:

   continue; -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Continue ends with semicolon [OK]

Hint: Continue is a keyword, ends with semicolon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding parentheses after continue
• Using braces or brackets with continue
• Omitting the semicolon

3. What will be the output of the following C++ code?

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
    if (i == 3) continue;
    std::cout << i << " ";
}

medium

A. 1 2 3 4 5

B. 1 2 3 4

C. 1 2 4 5

D. 2 3 4 5

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the loop and condition

   The loop runs from 1 to 5. When i == 3, the continue skips printing.

2. Step 2: Determine printed values

   Numbers 1 and 2 print normally. At 3, continue skips printing. Then 4 and 5 print.

3. Final Answer:

   1 2 4 5 -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Skip 3, print others [OK]

Hint: Continue skips printing 3, others print [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Including 3 in output
• Stopping loop at 3
• Printing numbers after 3 incorrectly

4. Identify the error in the following C++ code snippet:

for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
    if (i == 2)
        continue
    std::cout << i << " ";
}

medium

A. No error in the code.

B. Incorrect loop condition.

C. Wrong variable type for i.

D. Missing semicolon after continue statement.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check syntax of continue statement

   The continue statement must end with a semicolon.

2. Step 2: Identify missing semicolon

   In the code, continue is not followed by a semicolon, causing a syntax error.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing semicolon after continue statement. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Continue needs semicolon [OK]

Hint: Always put semicolon after continue [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting semicolon after continue
• Assuming continue needs parentheses
• Misreading loop condition as error

5. Consider the following code that sums numbers from 1 to 10 but skips multiples of 3 using continue. What is the final sum?

int sum = 0;
for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
    if (i % 3 == 0) continue;
    sum += i;
}
std::cout << sum;

hard

A. 52

B. 55

C. 45

D. 50

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify numbers skipped by continue

   Numbers divisible by 3 (3, 6, 9) are skipped and not added to sum.

2. Step 2: Calculate sum of numbers 1 to 10 excluding 3, 6, 9

   Sum 1+2+4+5+7+8+10 = 37 + 15 = 52

3. Final Answer:

   52 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Sum excluding multiples of 3 = 52 [OK]

Hint: Skip multiples of 3, sum others [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Including multiples of 3 in sum
• Adding all numbers 1 to 10
• Misunderstanding continue effect