The continue Statement

Question 1

Define a continue statement !

Answer 1

A continue statement in Java is used to skip the current iteration of a loop and immediately move to the next iteration. When encountered, it causes the loop to bypass any remaining code in the current iteration and proceed to the next evaluation of the loop’s condition.

EXAMPLE

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
if (i == 3) {
continue; // Skips the rest of the loop body when i equals 3
}
System.out.println(i);
}

OUTPUT

1
2
4
5

Question 2

Give the structure of a continue statement !

Answer 2

In a Loop:

continue; // Skips the current iteration and continues to the next one

With a Label (for labeled loops):

continue labelName; // Skips the current iteration of the labeled loop

Question 3

Give optional and mandatory parts !

Answer 3

Mandatory Parts:

Keyword: The continue keyword itself is mandatory.

Optional Parts:

Label: You can optionally specify a label to indicate which loop to continue. This label must be a valid identifier followed by a colon (:).

Question 4

What is the difference between a continue and a break statement !

Answer 4

CONTINUE STATEMENT :

Purpose: Skips the current iteration of a loop and moves to the next iteration.

Effect: The remaining code in the loop’s body for the current iteration is not executed; control goes back to the loop’s condition.

Usage: Can be used in for, while, or do-while loops.

BREAK STATEMENT :

Purpose: Terminates the nearest enclosing loop or switch statement immediately.

Effect: Exits the loop entirely, and control transfers to the statement following the loop or switch.

Usage: Can also be used in loops and switch statements; can include an optional label to exit a specific labeled block.

Question 5

Describe the behavior of the continue statement when using a label and when not using a label and when not using the continue statement !

Answer 5

Using a continue Statement Without a Label

Behavior: Skips the current iteration of the nearest enclosing loop and proceeds to the next iteration of that loop.

EXAMPLE

for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
if (i == 2) {
continue; // Skips the rest of the loop body when i equals 2
}
System.out.println(i);
}

OUTPUT

0
1
3
4

Using a continue Statement With a Label

Behavior: Skips the current iteration of the specified labeled loop, allowing for control over nested loops.

EXAMPLE

outerLoop: for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
for (int j = 0; j < 3; j++) {
if (j == 1) {
continue outerLoop; // Skips the rest of the current iteration of the outer loop
}
System.out.println(“i: “ + i + “, j: “ + j);
}
}

OUTPUT

i: 0, j: 0
i: 1, j: 0
i: 2, j: 0

Question 6

Give the loops that allow optional labels break statements and continue statements as well as those who do not !

Answer 6

1. Labels can be applied to blocks of code, including those following if statements, but they are primarily useful for loops (for, while, do-while, for-each). Labels don’t function meaningfully with if or switch when it comes to control flow.
2. ALL conditional and looping java statements allow the use of a break statement except the if statement
3. ALL conditional and looping java statements allow the use of a continue statement except if and switch statements

Question 7

How to avoid unreachable code compilation errors when using break and continue statements ?

Answer 7

1. Placement of Statements

Ensure that no statements follow a break or continue statement within the same block that can never be executed.

2. Use of Labels

If you use labeled break or continue, ensure that the label refers to a block that does not lead to unreachable code.

3. Understand the Scope :

Ensure that break is used within loops or switch statements. Using it outside these contexts will lead to unreachable code

4. Use Proper Control Flow :

Make sure that after a break statement, there are no statements that can be reached.

5. Avoid Code After continue

Similarly, any code after a continue statement within a loop will be unreachable

6. Use Conditional Statements Wisely

If you have code that follows a break or continue, wrap it in a conditional that ensures it won’t execute when the loop exits or skips