In Java, jumping statements are used to control the flow of execution by transferring control to a specific point within the program. The primary jumping statements are break and continue, each serving a distinct purpose. These statements enhance the flexibility of loops and switch statements.
1. break Statement
- Purpose: Used to terminate a loop or exit a switch statement immediately.
- Syntax:
break;
- Use Cases:
- Exiting a loop when a specific condition is met.
- Terminating a switch case to prevent fall-through.
Example in a Loop:
public class BreakExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
if (i == 3) {
break; // Exit the loop when i equals 3
}
System.out.println(“Iteration: ” + i);
}
}
}
Output:
Iteration: 1
Iteration: 2
Example in a switch Statement:
public class BreakInSwitchExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int day = 3;
switch (day) {
case 1:
System.out.println(“Monday”);
break;
case 2:
System.out.println(“Tuesday”);
break;
case 3:
System.out.println(“Wednesday”);
break;
default:
System.out.println(“Invalid day”);
}
}
}
Output:
Wednesday
2. continue Statement
- Purpose: Skips the current iteration of a loop and proceeds to the next iteration.
- Syntax:
continue;
- Use Cases:
- Skipping specific iterations in a loop based on a condition.
- Useful for avoiding complex if-else logic within loops.
Example in a for Loop:
public class ContinueExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
if (i == 3) {
continue; // Skip the iteration when i equals 3
}
System.out.println(“Iteration: ” + i);
}
}
}
Output:
Iteration: 1
Iteration: 2
Iteration: 4
Iteration: 5
Example in a while Loop:
public class ContinueInWhileExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int i = 1;
while (i <= 5) {
i++;
if (i == 3) {
continue; // Skip the rest of the code when i equals 3
}
System.out.println(“Iteration: ” + i);
}
}
}
Output:
Iteration: 2
Iteration: 4
Iteration: 5
Iteration: 6
Comparison of break and continue
| Feature | break | continue |
| Purpose | Exits the loop entirely. | Skips the current iteration. |
| Effect on Loop | Terminates the loop execution. | Continues to the next iteration. |
| Use Case | When further iterations are not needed. | When a specific iteration should be skipped. |
| Scope | Works in loops and switch. | Works only in loops. |
Jump Statements in Nested Loops
Using break in Nested Loops:
- When used in nested loops, break exits the innermost loop by default.
- To break out of outer loops, labeled break can be used.
Example of Labeled break:
public class LabeledBreakExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
outer:
for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
for (int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {
if (i == 2 && j == 2) {
break outer; // Exit both loops
}
System.out.println(“i: ” + i + “, j: ” + j);
}
}
}
}
Output:
i: 1, j: 1
i: 1, j: 2
i: 1, j: 3
i: 2, j: 1
Using continue in Nested Loops:
- When used in nested loops, continue skips the current iteration of the innermost loop.
Example of Labeled continue:
public class LabeledContinueExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
outer:
for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
for (int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {
if (i == 2 && j == 2) {
continue outer; // Skip to the next iteration of the outer loop
}
System.out.println(“i: ” + i + “, j: ” + j);
}
}
}
}
Output:
i: 1, j: 1
i: 1, j: 2
i: 1, j: 3
i: 2, j: 1
i: 3, j: 1
i: 3, j: 2
i: 3, j: 3
Key Points
- break:
- Use sparingly to avoid abrupt control flow changes.
- Preferred in switch statements or when exiting loops early is necessary.
- continue:
- Helps simplify logic by skipping specific iterations without breaking the loop.
- Labeled Statements:
- Useful for nested loops but can make code harder to read.
- Avoid excessive use of labeled break and continue for better readability.