Python continue

The continue statement is a control flow tool in Python that skips the rest of the current iteration in a loop and proceeds to the next iteration.

Example

for number in range(10):

    if number % 2 == 0:  # Skip even numbers

        continue

    print(number)

Output:

1

3

5

7

9

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Syntax

continue

No additional arguments are required. When continue is executed, it moves the loop to the next iteration immediately.

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Why Use continue?

The continue statement is useful when you need to bypass the remaining code in a loop for specific cases while allowing the loop to continue running for other iterations. It helps to write clean and concise code by avoiding deeply nested conditions. Lets see some example of Python continue. 

1. Skipping Invalid Data

Scenario: Processing a list of numbers where negative values should be ignored.

numbers = [10, -5, 15, -20, 25]

for num in numbers:

    if num < 0:

        continue  # Skip negative numbers

    print(f"Processing: {num}")

Output:

Processing: 10

Processing: 15

Processing: 25

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2. Avoiding Specific Conditions

Scenario: Iterating through a range of numbers but skipping multiples of 3.

for i in range(1, 11):

    if i % 3 == 0:

        continue  # Skip multiples of 3

    print(i)

Output:

1

2

4

5

7

8

10

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3. Skipping on Validation Errors

Scenario: Iterating through user input data, skipping entries that are invalid.

inputs = ["123", "abc", "456", "def"]

for value in inputs:

    if not value.isdigit():

        continue  # Skip non-numeric inputs

    print(f"Valid number: {value}")

Output:

Valid number: 123

Valid number: 456

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Key Notes

• Simplifies Code: Avoids excessive nesting by skipping unnecessary iterations.
• Use with Care: Ensure skipping an iteration doesn’t disrupt the logic of your program.
• Combine with Loops: Works with both for and while loops for maximum flexibility.
• Avoid Overuse: Overusing continue can make your code harder to understand. Use it only when it simplifies the logic.

By understanding and using the continue statement effectively, you can manage loops dynamically, making your code more readable and efficient.