Jump statement overview in C++ - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Jump statement overview

Start Execution

↓

Normal Code Runs

↓

Jump Statement?

No→Continue Normal Execution

Yes↓

Jump to Target

↓

Resume Execution at Target

↓

End or Loop Back

The program runs normally until it hits a jump statement, then it jumps to a specific point and continues execution from there.

Execution Sample

C++

#include <iostream>
int main() {
  for(int i=0; i<5; i++) {
    if(i == 3) break;
    std::cout << i << " ";
  }
  return 0;
}

This code uses a break jump statement to exit the loop early when i equals 3.

Execution Table

Iteration	i	Condition i<5	If i==3?	Action	Output
1	0	True	False	Print 0	0
2	1	True	False	Print 1	1
3	2	True	False	Print 2	2
4	3	True	True	Break loop
-	-	False	-	Exit loop	-

💡 Loop breaks when i == 3, so it stops before printing 3.

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After 1	After 2	After 3	Final
i	0	1	2	3	3

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does the loop stop printing numbers after 2?

Because at iteration 4, i equals 3, the condition 'if(i == 3)' is true, so the break statement runs and exits the loop early (see execution_table row 4).

Does the break statement skip just the current iteration or the whole loop?

The break statement exits the entire loop immediately, not just skipping one iteration. This is shown in the execution_table where after break, the loop ends.

What happens if the break condition never becomes true?

The loop runs all iterations normally, printing all values from 0 to 4, because the break is never triggered.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what is the value of i when the loop breaks?

A 2

B 4

C 3

D 5

💡 Hint

Check the row where 'Action' is 'Break loop' in the execution_table.

At which iteration does the condition 'i < 5' become false?

A Iteration 5

B It never becomes false because of break

C Iteration 4

D Iteration 3

💡 Hint

Look at the exit_note and the last row of execution_table.

If we remove the break statement, what will be the output after all iterations?

A 0 1 2 3 4

B 0 1 2

C 3 4

D No output

💡 Hint

Refer to the key_moments explanation about what happens if break never triggers.

Concept Snapshot

Jump statements like break, continue, and goto change normal flow.
Break exits loops immediately.
Continue skips current iteration.
Goto jumps to a labeled statement.
Use jump statements carefully to avoid confusion.

Full Transcript

This example shows how a break jump statement works in a loop. The loop runs from i=0 to i=4 normally. When i reaches 3, the if condition triggers the break statement. This causes the loop to exit immediately, so numbers 3 and 4 are not printed. The execution table tracks each iteration, showing variable i, conditions, actions, and output. The variable tracker shows how i changes each step. Key moments clarify common confusions about break behavior. The quiz tests understanding of when the loop stops and what output is produced. The snapshot summarizes jump statements and their effects on program flow.

Practice

1. Which jump statement in C++ is used to immediately exit a loop or switch statement?

easy

A. break

B. continue

C. return

D. goto

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of break

   The break statement immediately exits the nearest enclosing loop or switch.

2. Step 2: Compare with other jump statements

   continue skips to the next loop iteration, return exits a function, and goto jumps to a label.

3. Final Answer:

   break -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Exit loop early = break [OK]

Hint: Break stops loops/switch immediately [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing break with continue
• Thinking return exits loops only
• Using goto without label

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to skip the current iteration in a loop in C++?

easy

A. skip;

B. break;

C. continue;

D. return;

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the statement that skips current iteration

   The continue; statement skips the rest of the current loop iteration and moves to the next.

2. Step 2: Verify syntax correctness

   skip; is invalid, break; exits loop, return; exits function.

3. Final Answer:

   continue; -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Skip iteration = continue [OK]

Hint: Continue skips current loop iteration [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using break to skip iteration
• Using return inside loops incorrectly
• Writing skip instead of continue

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

int main() {
    for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
        if (i == 3) continue;
        std::cout << i << " ";
    }
    return 0;
}

medium

A. 1 2 4 5

B. 1 2

C. 1 2 3 4 5

D. 3 4 5

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the loop and condition

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

2. Step 2: Determine printed values

   Values 1, 2, 4, and 5 are printed with spaces.

3. Final Answer:

   1 2 4 5 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Skip 3 with continue = 1 2 4 5 [OK]

Hint: Continue skips printing 3, so output excludes 3 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Including 3 in output
• Confusing break with continue
• Not printing spaces correctly

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

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

medium

A. Missing return statement

B. Incorrect loop condition

C. Using break inside loop is invalid

D. Missing semicolon after break statement

Solution

1. Step 1: Check syntax of break statement

   The break statement must end with a semicolon. Here it is missing.

2. Step 2: Confirm other parts are correct

   The loop condition and return statement are correct; break is valid inside loops.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing semicolon after break statement -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   break needs semicolon [OK]

Hint: Always put semicolon after break [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting semicolon after break
• Thinking break can't be inside loops
• Confusing break with continue syntax

5. Consider this C++ function:

int findFirstEven(int arr[], int size) {
    for (int i = 0; i < size; i++) {
        if (arr[i] % 2 == 0) return arr[i];
    }
    return -1;
}

What does the return statement inside the loop do?

hard

A. Skips the current iteration and continues the loop

B. Exits the loop and returns the first even number found

C. Exits the function only after the loop finishes

D. Jumps to a labeled statement

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand return inside a loop

   The return inside the loop immediately exits the function when an even number is found.

2. Step 2: Confirm behavior after return

   No further iterations or code run after return; function ends and returns value.

3. Final Answer:

   Exits the loop and returns the first even number found -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Return exits function immediately [OK]

Hint: Return exits function immediately, not just loop [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking return skips iteration only
• Confusing return with break
• Assuming function continues after return