Python Continue Statement: How to Skip Iterations and Streamline Code Execution

Python Continue Statement: How to Skip Iterations and Streamline Code Execution

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Vikram
Vikram Singh
Assistant Manager - Content
Updated on Oct 18, 2023 13:22 IST

Streamline your Python code by skipping unnecessary iterations using the β€œcontinue” statement. Our tutorial explains the syntax and usage of the β€œcontinue” statement and provides examples to help you understand how it can be applied to improve the performance and readability of your code.

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In Python, there are a variety of built-in statements and functions that make programming easier and more efficient. One of these statements is the continue statement, which is used to skip certain iterations of a loop and continue with the next iteration. In this article, we will discuss the Python continue statement in detail, including its syntax, usage, and examples.

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What is the Python continue statement

The Python continue statement is a control flow statement that is used to skip certain iterations of a loop and continue with the next iteration. It is used in combination with an if statement to skip over certain values or conditions that do not meet specific criteria.
The continue statement allows the program to skip over the rest of the code in the current iteration of the loop and proceed with the next iteration. This can be useful in situations where you want to ignore certain values or conditions in the loop and continue with the rest of the iterations.

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Flowchart of Python continue statement

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Syntax of the Python continue statement


 
while test_expression:
# Some code
if condition:
continue
# Some more code
Copy code

In this syntax, the test_expression is the condition that is checked at the beginning of each iteration of the loop. The condition is the value or condition that you want to skip over in the loop. If the condition is met, the continue statement is executed, and the program skips over the rest of the code in the current iteration and proceeds with the next iteration.

Must Read: Difference Between Python Break and Continue Statement

How to use the Python continue statement

To use the Python continue statement in your program, you first need to define a loop. This can be a while loop, a for loop, or a do-while loop. Inside the loop, you can add an if statement that checks for a specific condition. If the condition is met, you can use the continue statement to skip over the rest of the code in the current iteration of the loop and proceed with the next iteration.
Here is an example of how to use the Python continue statement in a while loop:


 
x = 0
while x < 10:
x += 1
if x == 5:
continue
print(x)
Copy code

Output

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In this example, we have defined a while loop that runs as long as the value of x is less than 10. Inside the loop, we have added an if statement that checks whether the value of x is equal to 5. If the value of x is equal to 5, the continue statement is executed, and the program skips over the rest of the code in the current iteration and proceeds with the next iteration.

Must Read: Python While Loop

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Examples of using the Python continue statement

Example 1: Using the continue statement in a for loop


 
for i in range(10):
if i % 2 != 0:
continue
print(i)
Copy code

Output

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In this example, we have defined a for loop that iterates over the range of numbers from 0 to 9. Inside the loop, an if statement is added to checks whether the current value of i is divisible by 2. If the current value of `i is not divisible by 2, the continue statement is executed, and the program skips over the rest of the code in the current iteration and proceeds with the next iteration. This results in only the even numbers.

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Example 2: Using the continue statement in a nested loop


 
for i in range(5):
for j in range(5):
if j < 2:
continue
print(i, j)
Copy code

Output

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In this example, we have defined a nested for loop that iterates over the values of i and j. Inside the loop, we have added an if statement that checks whether the value of j is less than 2. If j is less than 2, the continue statement is executed, and the program skips over the rest of the code in the current iteration and proceeds with the next iteration. This results in only the values of j that are greater than or equal to 2.

Conclusion

The Python continue statement allows you to skip over certain iterations of a loop and continue with the next iteration. It is used with an if statement to skip over values or conditions that do not meet specific criteria. By understanding how to use the Python continue statement, you can write more efficient and effective code that meets your specific programming needs.

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About the Author
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Vikram Singh
Assistant Manager - Content

Vikram has a Postgraduate degree in Applied Mathematics, with a keen interest in Data Science and Machine Learning. He has experience of 2+ years in content creation in Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, and Mac... Read Full Bio