Python Break , Continue and Pass

(toc)

In Python, break, continue, and pass are control flow statements that manage how loops behave. They allow you to exit loops, skip iterations, or write placeholders in your code.

1. The break Statement

The break statement is used to exit a loop prematurely. When executed, the loop ends, and the program continues with the next block of code outside the loop.

Syntax

for/while condition:
    if some_condition:
        break
    # Code to execute

Example: Breaking a for Loop

for num in range(1, 6):
    if num == 3:
        print("Breaking the loop!")
        break
    print(num)

Output:

1  
2  
Breaking the loop!  

Example: Breaking a while Loop

count = 0

while count < 5:
    if count == 3:
        print("Breaking the loop!")
        break
    print(count)
    count += 1

Output:

0  
1  
2  
Breaking the loop!  

2. The continue Statement

The continue statement is used to skip the rest of the current iteration and move on to the next iteration in the loop. The loop does not terminate, but the code after continue in the current iteration is ignored.

Syntax

for/while condition:
    if some_condition:
        continue
    # Code to execute

Example: Skipping a Value in a for Loop

for num in range(1, 6):
    if num == 3:
        print("Skipping 3!")
        continue
    print(num)

Output:

1  
2  
Skipping 3!  
4  
5  

Example: Skipping Odd Numbers in a while Loop

count = 0

while count < 6:
    count += 1
    if count % 2 != 0:  # Skip odd numbers
        continue
    print(count)

Output:

2  
4  
6  

3. The pass Statement

The pass statement does nothing and is used as a placeholder. It is useful when you need to write code later but want to avoid syntax errors in an empty block. Unlike break or continue, pass doesn’t alter the flow of the loop.

Syntax

if condition:
    pass
# Code continues here

Example: Placeholder in a Loop

for num in range(1, 6):
    if num == 3:
        pass  # Placeholder for future logic
    print(num)

Output:

1  
2  
3  
4  
5  

Example: Placeholder in an if Statement

age = 18

if age >= 18:
    pass  # Logic for adults will be added later
else:
    print("Underage!")

Output:

(nothing happens because `pass` does nothing)

Comparison of break, continue, and pass

Example Using All Three Statements

for num in range(1, 6):
    if num == 2:
        pass  # Placeholder, does nothing
    elif num == 4:
        continue  # Skip number 4
    elif num == 5:
        break  # Exit the loop when number 5 is reached
    print(num)

Output:

1  
2  
3