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C# For Loop with Break and Continue

In C#, the break and continue statements are used to alter the flow of loops. The break statement terminates the loop entirely, while the continue statement skips the rest of the current iteration and proceeds to the next one. These statements can be particularly useful within for loops to control execution based on conditions.

Key Topics

1. Using Break in a For Loop

Example: Exiting Loop Early

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++)
{
    if (i == 3)
    {
        break;  // Exit the loop when i is 3
    }
    Console.WriteLine(i);
}
Console.WriteLine("Loop exited.");

Output:

1
2
Loop exited.

Code Explanation: When i reaches 3, the break statement terminates the loop. Only numbers 1 and 2 are printed.

2. Using Continue in a For Loop

Example: Skipping an Iteration

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++)
{
    if (i == 3)
    {
        continue;  // Skip the rest of the loop when i is 3
    }
    Console.WriteLine(i);
}

Output:

1
2
4
5

Code Explanation: When i is 3, the continue statement skips to the next iteration, so 3 is not printed.

3. Break vs. Continue

The break statement exits the loop entirely, while the continue statement skips the current iteration but continues with the loop.

Example: Comparing Break and Continue

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++)
{
    if (i == 3)
    {
        // Uncomment one of the following:
        // break;
        // continue;
    }
    Console.WriteLine(i);
}

Explanation: Depending on whether break or continue is used, the loop's behavior changes. Using break stops the loop at i = 3, while continue skips i = 3 but continues the loop.

4. Best Practices for Break and Continue

  • Use break to exit a loop when a certain condition is met, avoiding unnecessary iterations.
  • Use continue to skip specific iterations without terminating the loop.
  • Avoid overusing break and continue as they can make code harder to read.
  • Ensure that the use of these statements does not lead to unexpected behavior or infinite loops.

Key Takeaways

  • The break statement exits a loop immediately.
  • The continue statement skips the rest of the current iteration and moves to the next one.
  • These statements provide control over loop execution based on conditions.
  • Proper use of break and continue can optimize performance by avoiding unnecessary iterations.
  • Understanding their effects is crucial to prevent logic errors in loops.
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