What is Java continue Statement? (Complete Guide With Examples)

Introduction to Java continue Statement

The continue statement in Java is used to skip the current iteration of a loop and proceed with the next one. It provides a powerful way to control how loops behave, especially when certain conditions are met during iteration.

Example:

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for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {

if (i == 3) {

continue;

}

System.out.println(i);

}

Output:

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Importance of Loop Control in Java

Loop control mechanisms like break and continue allow developers to manage loop execution precisely. While break terminates a loop, continue helps skip specific iterations, making the code more efficient and readable.

Syntax of continue Statement

The basic syntax of the continue statement is simple:

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continue;

You can also use it with labels for nested loops:

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continue labelName;

Working of continue Statement

When the continue statement is executed, the rest of the code inside the loop for the current iteration is skipped, and control jumps to the next loop iteration.

Example:

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int i = 0;

while (i < 5) {

i++;

if (i == 2) continue;

System.out.println(i);

}

continue in for Loop

The most common use of continue is within a for loop.

Example:

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for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {

if (i % 2 == 0) continue;

System.out.println(i);

}

Output:

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continue in while Loop

When used in a while loop, the continue skips to the next iteration by jumping to the condition check.

Example:

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int i = 0;

while (i < 5) {

i++;

if (i == 3) continue;

System.out.println(i);

}

continue in do-while Loop

The continue statement in a do-while loop works similarly but always executes the body at least once.

Example:

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int i = 0;

do {

i++;

if (i == 2) continue;

System.out.println(i);

} while (i < 5);

Using continue with if Statement

The continue statement is often placed inside an if condition to skip certain values.

Example:

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for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {

if (i == 4) continue;

System.out.println("i: " + i);

}

Difference between break and continue

Feature	break	continue
Function	Exits the loop	Skips current iteration
Used in	Loops and switch-case	Loops only
Control Flow	Terminates loop completely	Goes to next iteration

Nested Loops with continue

In nested loops, continue affects only the innermost loop.

Example:

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for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {

for (int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {

if (j == 2) continue;

System.out.println("i=" + i + ", j=" + j);

}

continue with Label

Labels allow continue to apply to outer loops.

Example:

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outer:

for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {

for (int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {

if (j == 2) continue outer;

System.out.println("i=" + i + ", j=" + j);

}

Practical Use Cases of continue

Skipping specific elements in a list.

Skipping invalid inputs.

Filtering data dynamically.

Skipping Odd or Even Numbers

Example:

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for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {

if (i % 2 != 0) continue;

System.out.println(i); // Prints only even numbers

}

Filtering Specific Elements in Arrays

Example:

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int[] numbers = {10, 15, 20, 25};

for (int num : numbers) {

if (num == 20) continue;

System.out.println(num);

}

continue in Infinite Loops

Even infinite loops can benefit from continue when using a break condition.

Example:

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int i = 0;

while (true) {

i++;

if (i % 2 == 0) continue;

if (i > 10) break;

System.out.println(i);

}

Performance Considerations

Using continue can optimize performance by reducing unnecessary computation in some loops, especially in large datasets.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Not updating loop control variable before continue.

Using continue unnecessarily.

Misunderstanding labeled continue.

Best Practices for Using continue

Use only when it enhances clarity.

Avoid nested continue when possible.

Add comments for complex continue logic.

Alternatives to continue

In some cases, using conditions instead of continue can make code clearer.

Instead of:

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if (x == 3) continue;

Use:

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if (x != 3) {

// your code here

}

Debugging Code with continue

Using continue may skip important debugging lines. Consider logging or breakpoints before it.

Interview Questions on continue

How does continue differ from break?

Can continue be used outside of loops?

What happens if you forget to update a variable before continue?

Advanced Loop Control with continue

Combine continue with return, break, and labels to build complex logic while avoiding deeply nested structures.

Comparison with Other Languages

Language	continue Usage	Notes
Java	Supported	Label support
Python	Supported	No labels
C++	Supported	Similar syntax

Real-life Java Project Examples using continue

Example: Input Validation Loop

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Scanner sc = new Scanner(System.in);

for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {

System.out.print("Enter number: ");

int num = sc.nextInt();

if (num < 0) {

System.out.println("Invalid! Skipping...");

continue;

}

System.out.println("Accepted: " + num);

}

Summary and Final Thoughts

The continue statement is a fundamental tool for controlling loop execution in Java. By mastering continue, you write more efficient and readable code. Always use it when it simplifies logic and improves performance.

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