C++ Break and Continue - C++ Tutorial

In C++, the break and continue statements allow for better control of loops, enabling you to exit loops early or skip specific iterations.

Break Statement

The break statement immediately stops a loop when a specified condition is met, preventing further execution of remaining iterations.

Example: Exiting a Loop When a Condition Is Met

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    for (int speed = 0; speed < 10; speed++) {  
        if (speed == 4) {  
            break;  // Stops the loop when speed reaches 4  
        }  
        cout << "Current speed level: " << speed << "\n";
    }

    return 0;
}

C++
​x
 
#include <iostream>using namespace std;​int main() {    for (int speed = 0; speed < 10; speed++) {          if (speed == 4) {              break;  // Stops the loop when speed reaches 4          }          cout << "Current speed level: " << speed << "\n";    }​    return 0;}​

Output:

Current speed level: 0  
Current speed level: 1  
Current speed level: 2  
Current speed level: 3

C++
 
Current speed level: 0  Current speed level: 1  Current speed level: 2  Current speed level: 3  ​

The loop stops once speed reaches 4, preventing further execution.

Continue Statement

The continue statement skips the current iteration when a condition is met and proceeds to the next loop iteration.

Example: Skipping a Specific Value

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    for (int gear = 0; gear < 10; gear++) {  
        if (gear == 4) {  
            continue;  // Skips gear 4 and moves to the next  
        }  
        cout << "Current gear: " << gear << "\n";
    }

    return 0;
}

C++
 
#include <iostream>using namespace std;​int main() {    for (int gear = 0; gear < 10; gear++) {          if (gear == 4) {              continue;  // Skips gear 4 and moves to the next          }          cout << "Current gear: " << gear << "\n";    }​    return 0;}​

Output:

Current gear: 0  
Current gear: 1  
Current gear: 2  
Current gear: 3  
Current gear: 5  
Current gear: 6  
Current gear: 7  
Current gear: 8  
Current gear: 9

C++
 
Current gear: 0  Current gear: 1  Current gear: 2  Current gear: 3  Current gear: 5  Current gear: 6  Current gear: 7  Current gear: 8  Current gear: 9  ​

Notice that gear 4 is missing, as it was skipped.

Using Break and Continue in While Loops

Example: Breaking Out of a while Loop

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    int rpm = 0;  

    while (rpm < 10) {  
        cout << "RPM Level: " << rpm << "\n";
        rpm++;

        if (rpm == 4) {  
            break;  // Stops loop when RPM reaches 4  
        }  
    }

    return 0;
}

C++
 
#include <iostream>using namespace std;​int main() {    int rpm = 0;  ​    while (rpm < 10) {          cout << "RPM Level: " << rpm << "\n";        rpm++;​        if (rpm == 4) {              break;  // Stops loop when RPM reaches 4          }      }​    return 0;}​

Example: Using continue in a while Loop

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    int speed = 0;

    while (speed < 10) {  
        if (speed == 4) {  
            speed++;  
            continue;  // Skips speed level 4  
        }  
        cout << "Speed setting: " << speed << "\n";
        speed++;
    }

    return 0;
}

C++
 
#include <iostream>using namespace std;​int main() {    int speed = 0;​    while (speed < 10) {          if (speed == 4) {              speed++;              continue;  // Skips speed level 4          }          cout << "Speed setting: " << speed << "\n";        speed++;    }​    return 0;}​