
C continue Statement

Photo Credit to CodeToFun
Introduction
In C programming, the continue
statement is a control statement that skips the current iteration of a loop and proceeds to the next iteration.
This guide explores the syntax and usage of the continue
statement, along with practical examples.
What is the continue Statement?
The continue
statement allows you to bypass the remaining code within a loop's body for the current iteration and proceed to the next iteration of the loop. It is particularly useful for skipping specific conditions or processing certain elements within a loop.
Key Features of the continue Statement
- Loop Control: Skips the current iteration of a loop.
- Conditional Skipping: Allows conditional skipping based on specific criteria.
- Control Flow: Alters the normal sequence of loop execution.
Syntax
The syntax for the continue
statement is simple:
continue;
Usage in Loops
The continue
statement is typically used within for, while, and do-while loops to skip iterations based on certain conditions.
Example: Using continue in a for Loop
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
if (i == 2) {
continue; // Skip iteration when i equals 2
}
printf("%d\n", i);
}
return 0;
}
Output
In this example, the loop will print all values of i except 2:
0 1 3 4
Example: Using continue in a while Loop
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int i = 0;
while (i < 5) {
i++;
if (i == 2 || i == 4) {
continue; // Skip iterations when i equals 2 or 4
}
printf("%d\n", i);
}
return 0;
}
Output
This example skips printing 2 and 4:
1 3 5
Common Pitfalls and Best Practices
Proper Incrementing:
Ensure that loop control variables are properly incremented within loops to prevent infinite loops when using
continue
.example.cCopied#include <stdio.h> int main() { int i = 0; while (i < 5) { if (i == 2) { i++; // Increment i to prevent infinite loop continue; } printf("%d\n", i); i++; } return 0; }
Clear Logic:
Maintain clear and understandable logic when using
continue
statements to avoid confusion and improve code readability.
Conclusion
The continue
statement is a valuable tool in C programming for controlling loop execution flow. By utilizing continue
, you can efficiently skip specific iterations of loops based on conditions, streamlining your code and improving its readability.
Join our Community:
Author

For over eight years, I worked as a full-stack web developer. Now, I have chosen my profession as a full-time blogger at codetofun.com.
Buy me a coffee to make codetofun.com free for everyone.
Buy me a Coffee
If you have any doubts regarding this article (C continue Statement), please comment here. I will help you immediately.