The break and continue statements are used to control loop execution. Both are valid inside loops, but they cannot be used arbitrarily outside a loop or switch where the language permits them.

#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int i;

    for (i = 1; i <= 5; i++)
    {
        if (i == 3)
        {
            continue;
        }

        if (i == 5)
        {
            break;
        }

        printf("%d\n", i);
    }

    return 0;
}

Example Output #

1
2
4

Explanation #

When i is 3, continue skips the remaining statements in the current iteration:

if (i == 3)
{
    continue;
}

Execution then proceeds with the next iteration of the for loop.

When i is 5, break immediately terminates the loop:

if (i == 5)
{
    break;
}

Therefore, 5 is not printed.

Both statements are valid here because they occur inside a for loop.

An example such as this is invalid:

if (i == 3)
{
    break;
}

when the if statement is not contained within a loop or switch. A break statement must be within an enclosing iteration statement or switch. A continue statement must be within an enclosing iteration statement.