Continue statement in Java

Introduction

The continue statement helps skip the current step in a loop and move to the next one. It lets you ignore some steps without stopping the whole loop.

When you want to skip processing certain items in a list but keep checking the rest.

When filtering data inside a loop and ignoring unwanted values.

When you want to avoid errors by skipping invalid inputs during looping.

When you want to jump over some steps in a loop based on a condition.

When you want to make your loop cleaner by avoiding nested if-else blocks.

Syntax

Java

continue;

The continue statement is used inside loops like for, while, or do-while.

When continue runs, the loop skips the rest of the current iteration and moves to the next one.

Examples

This loop prints numbers 1 to 5 but skips 3 because of continue.

Java

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
    if (i == 3) {
        continue;
    }
    System.out.println(i);
}

This while loop skips printing the number 2.

Java

int i = 0;
while (i < 5) {
    i++;
    if (i == 2) {
        continue;
    }
    System.out.println(i);
}

Sample Program

This program prints numbers from 1 to 5 but skips number 3 using continue.

Java

public class ContinueExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
            if (i == 3) {
                continue;
            }
            System.out.println("Number: " + i);
        }
    }
}

Important Notes

Using continue can make loops easier to read by skipping unwanted steps early.

Be careful not to create infinite loops by skipping the part that changes the loop variable.

Continue only affects the current loop iteration, not the whole loop.

Summary

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

It is useful to ignore certain values or conditions inside loops.

Use continue inside for, while, or do-while loops.

Practice

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

easy

A. Skips the rest of the current loop iteration and moves to the next iteration

B. Stops the entire loop immediately

C. Exits the current method

D. Restarts the program from the beginning

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of continue

   The continue statement skips the remaining code in the current loop iteration.

2. Step 2: Effect on loop execution

   After skipping, the loop moves to the next iteration without stopping the entire loop.

3. Final Answer:

   Skips the rest of the current loop iteration and moves to the next iteration -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   continue skips current step [OK]

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

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing continue with break
• Thinking continue exits the method
• Assuming continue restarts the program

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

easy

A. continue;

B. continue()

C. continue loop;

D. continue[];

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Java continue syntax

   The continue statement is used alone followed by a semicolon inside loops.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   continue; uses correct syntax: continue;. Others are invalid syntax in Java.

3. Final Answer:

   continue; -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct continue syntax ends with semicolon [OK]

Hint: Use just 'continue;' with semicolon inside loops [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Adding parentheses after continue
• Using labels without proper syntax
• Adding brackets or other symbols

3. What is the output of this Java code?

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
  if (i == 3) continue;
  System.out.print(i + " ");
}

medium

A. 1 2 3 4 5

B. 1 2 4 5

C. 1 2 3 4

D. 2 3 4 5

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze loop iterations

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

2. Step 2: Determine printed values

   Values printed are 1, 2, 4, 5 with spaces after each.

3. Final Answer:

   1 2 4 5 -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Skip i=3, print others [OK]

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

Common Mistakes:

• Including 3 in output
• Stopping loop at 3
• Printing without spaces

4. Identify the error in this code snippet:

for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
  if (i == 2)
    continue
  System.out.println(i);
}

medium

A. System.out.println should be before continue

B. continue cannot be used inside for loops

C. Missing semicolon after continue statement

D. Loop condition is incorrect

Solution

1. Step 1: Check syntax of continue

   The continue statement must end with a semicolon in Java.

2. Step 2: Identify missing semicolon

   Code misses semicolon after continue, causing syntax error.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing semicolon after continue statement -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   continue requires semicolon [OK]

Hint: Always put semicolon after continue [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting semicolon after continue
• Thinking continue can't be in for loops
• Misplacing print statement

5. How can you use continue to print only odd numbers from 1 to 10 in Java?

hard

A. Use continue outside the loop

B. Use continue when number is odd to skip printing

C. Use break when number is even to stop loop

D. Use continue when number is even to skip printing

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify condition to skip even numbers

   To print only odd numbers, skip even numbers using continue.

2. Step 2: Apply continue inside loop

   When number is even, continue skips printing and moves to next iteration.

3. Final Answer:

   Use continue when number is even to skip printing -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Skip even numbers with continue [OK]

Hint: Skip even numbers with continue to print odds [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Skipping odd numbers instead of even
• Using break instead of continue
• Placing continue outside loop