Break, next, and redo behavior in Ruby

Introduction

These commands help control loops by deciding when to stop, skip, or repeat steps.

Stop a loop early when a condition is met.

Skip the current step and move to the next one in a loop.

Repeat the current step again without moving forward.

Syntax

Ruby

break
next
redo

break stops the whole loop immediately.

next skips to the next loop cycle.

redo repeats the current loop step without checking the loop condition again.

Examples

Stops printing numbers after 3.

Ruby

for i in 1..5
  break if i > 3
  puts i
end

Skips printing number 3.

Ruby

for i in 1..5
  next if i == 3
  puts i
end

Repeats printing 2 endlessly.

Ruby

for i in 1..5
  puts i
  redo if i == 2
end

Sample Program

This program shows how next skips printing 3, redo repeats printing 4, and break stops the loop at 5.

Ruby

repeat_count = 0
for i in 1..5
  if i == 3
    puts "Skipping 3"
    next
  elsif i == 4
    puts "Repeating 4"
    repeat_count += 1
    redo if repeat_count < 5
  elsif i == 5
    puts "Stopping at 5"
    break
  else
    puts i
  end
end

Important Notes

redo repeats the current loop step without checking the loop condition again.

Use break to exit loops early to save time or avoid errors.

next is useful to skip unwanted steps but keep looping.

Summary

break stops the loop completely.

next skips to the next loop cycle.

redo repeats the current loop step.