Continue statement with levels in PHP - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Continue statement with levels

Start Outer Loop

↓

Start Inner Loop

↓

Check Continue Level

↓

Continue Inner Loop

↓

Continue Outer Loop

↓

Execute Remaining Inner Loop Code

↓

End Inner Loop

↓

End Outer Loop

The continue statement with levels skips the rest of the current loop iteration at the specified loop level, either inner or outer.

Execution Sample

PHP

<?php
for ($i = 1; $i <= 2; $i++) {
  for ($j = 1; $j <= 3; $j++) {
    if ($j == 2) continue 2;
    echo "$i$j ";
  }
}
?>

This code uses continue 2 to skip to the next iteration of the outer loop when inner loop variable $j equals 2.

Execution Table

Step	i	j	Condition (j==2)	Action	Output
1	1	1	False	Print '11 '	11
2	1	2	True	continue 2: skip to next i
3	2	1	False	Print '21 '	21
4	2	2	True	continue 2: skip to next i
5	3	-	-	i=3 > 2 exit outer loop

💡 Outer loop ends when i becomes 3, which is greater than 2.

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	Final
i	1	1	2	2	3	3
j	1	2	2	1	2	-

Key Moments - 2 Insights

Why does the output skip printing when j equals 2?

Because at step 2 and 4 in the execution_table, the condition j==2 is true and continue 2 skips the rest of both inner and outer loop iteration, so echo is not executed.

What does 'continue 2' mean in this nested loop?

'continue 2' means skip the rest of the current iteration of the outer loop, not just the inner loop. This is shown in steps 2 and 4 where it jumps to the next i.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the value of i at step 3?

A 1

B 3

C 2

D 0

💡 Hint

Check the 'i' column in the execution_table row for step 3.

At which step does the condition j==2 first become true?

A Step 1

B Step 2

C Step 3

D Step 4

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Condition (j==2)' column in the execution_table.

If we change 'continue 2' to 'continue 1', what would happen at step 2?

A Skip only inner loop iteration, continue outer loop normally

B Skip outer loop iteration like before

C Program will error

D No change in output

💡 Hint

Recall that 'continue 1' affects only the innermost loop, unlike 'continue 2'.

Concept Snapshot

continue [n] skips the rest of the current loop iteration at level n.
In nested loops, continue 1 affects inner loop, continue 2 affects outer loop.
Use to control flow precisely in nested loops.
Syntax: continue; or continue 2;
Skipping outer loop iteration can save unnecessary inner loops.

Full Transcript

This example shows how the continue statement with levels works in PHP nested loops. The outer loop runs with variable i from 1 to 2. The inner loop runs with j from 1 to 3. When j equals 2, the code uses continue 2 to skip the rest of the current iteration of the outer loop. This means it stops the inner loop and moves to the next i value. The output prints only when j is not 2. The execution table traces each step, showing variable values, condition checks, actions, and output. The variable tracker shows how i and j change after each step. Key moments clarify why output is skipped and what continue 2 means. The quiz tests understanding of variable values and continue behavior. The snapshot summarizes the concept for quick review.