October 13, 2024

Python Tutorials

Python Continue Statement

The continue statement in Python is used to skip the current iteration of a loop and move to the next iteration. Unlike the break statement, which terminates the loop entirely, continue only skips the remaining code in the current iteration and proceeds with the next iteration of the loop.

Syntax

continue

How the continue Statement Works

  • In a for Loop: When the continue statement is executed, the loop skips the remaining code in the current iteration and moves to the next iteration.
  • In a while Loop: Similarly, in a while loop, continue skips the remaining code and reevaluates the loop condition to determine whether to continue with the next iteration.

Examples of Using the continue Statement

1. Using continue in a for Loop

Let’s consider an example where the continue statement is used to skip over certain iterations in a loop.
for number in range(1, 11):
if number % 2 == 0:
continue # Skip the current iteration if the number is even
print(number)

Output:

1
3
5
7
9

  • Explanation: The loop iterates over the numbers from 1 to 10. When the number is even (i.e., divisible by 2), the continue statement is executed, which skips the print() function for that iteration. As a result, only odd numbers are printed.

2. Using continue in a while Loop

Here’s an example of using the continue statement within a while loop:

i = 0
while i < 10:
i += 1
if i % 2 == 0:
continue # Skip the current iteration if i is even
print(i)

Output:
1
3
5
7
9

  • Explanation: The while loop increments i from 1 to 10. When i is even, the continue statement is executed, skipping the print() function for that iteration. Therefore, only odd numbers are printed.

Practical Example of continue

Skipping Specific Values in a Loop

Suppose you want to print all numbers from 1 to 10 but skip the numbers 4 and 6.
for number in range(1, 11):
if number == 4 or number == 6:
continue # Skip the current iteration if the number is 4 or 6
print(number)

Output:
1
2
3
5
7
8
9
10

  • Explanation: The loop skips printing the numbers 4 and 6 and continues with the rest.

Using continue with Nested Loops

When using nested loops, the continue statement applies only to the loop in which it is placed.

Example with Nested Loops

for i in range(3):
for j in range(5):
if j == 3:
continue # Skip the current iteration when j equals 3
print(f"i = {i}, j = {j}")

Output:

i = 0, j = 0
i = 0, j = 1
i = 0, j = 2
i = 0, j = 4
i = 1, j = 0
i = 1, j = 1
i = 1, j = 2
i = 1, j = 4
i = 2, j = 0
i = 2, j = 1
i = 2, j = 2
i = 2, j = 4

  • Explanation: The inner loop skips the iteration where j equals 3 and continues with the next value of j. The outer loop continues as usual.

Key Points to Remember

  • Skips Remaining Code: The continue statement causes the loop to skip the remaining code in the current iteration and immediately proceed to the next iteration.
  • Applies to the Current Loop Only: If used in nested loops, continue only affects the loop in which it is placed.
  • Useful for Skipping Specific Conditions: continue is useful when you want to skip certain conditions but continue with the loop.

The continue statement is a handy tool in Python programming, allowing you to fine-tune the flow of loops and skip unnecessary computations or iterations based on specific conditions.

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