Java break and continue

break and continue change the normal flow of a loop.

break

break stops the loop at once.

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
            if (i == 5) {
                break;
            }
            System.out.println(i);
        }
        System.out.println("Loop ended");
    }
}
Output

1
2
3
4
Loop ended

continue

continue skips the rest of the current round and goes to the next round.

public class Skip {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (int i = 1; i <= 8; i++) {
            if (i % 2 == 0) {
                continue;        // skip the even numbers
            }
            System.out.print(i + " ");
        }
        System.out.println();
    }
}
Output

1 3 5 7

Search with break

public class Search {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int[] numbers = {4, 9, 15, 22, 31};
        int target = 15;
        int found = -1;
        for (int i = 0; i < numbers.length; i++) {
            if (numbers[i] == target) {
                found = i;
                break;           // no need to check the others
            }
        }
        System.out.println("Found at index " + found);
    }
}
Output

Found at index 2

Labeled break for nested loops

A plain break only leaves the inner loop. To leave the outer loop too, give it a label:

public class Label {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        outer:
        for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
            for (int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {
                if (i * j == 4) {
                    System.out.println("Found at i=" + i + ", j=" + j);
                    break outer;
                }
                System.out.println(i + " x " + j + " = " + (i * j));
            }
        }
        System.out.println("Done");
    }
}
Output

1 x 1 = 1
1 x 2 = 2
1 x 3 = 3
2 x 1 = 2
Found at i=2, j=2
Done

You can use continue outer; in the same way, to go to the next round of the outer loop.

Note: Too many break and continue make loops hard to read. When it is possible, write a clear condition instead. Next: Java Arrays.

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