continue Statement (C++)

Forces transfer of control to the controlling expression of the smallest enclosing do, for, or while loop.

Syntax

continue;

Remarks

Any remaining statements in the current iteration are not executed. The next iteration of the loop is determined as follows:

  • In a do or while loop, the next iteration starts by reevaluating the controlling expression of the do or while statement.

  • In a for loop (using the syntax for( <init-expr> ; <cond-expr> ; <loop-expr> )), the <loop-expr> clause is executed. Then the <cond-expr> clause is reevaluated and, depending on the result, the loop either ends or another iteration occurs.

The following example shows how the continue statement can be used to bypass sections of code and begin the next iteration of a loop.

Example

// continue_statement.cpp
#include <stdio.h>
int main()
{
    int i = 0;
    do
    {
        i++;
        printf_s("before the continue\n");
        continue;
        printf("after the continue, should never print\n");
     } while (i < 3);

     printf_s("after the do loop\n");
}
before the continue
before the continue
before the continue
after the do loop

See also

Jump Statements
Keywords