continue Statement

A continue statement skips the remainder of the current loop iteration and starts the next iteration. Unlike break, it does not exit the loop.

Use continue when some values should be ignored, such as invalid records or numbers that do not satisfy a filter. In a three-part for loop, the post statement still executes before the next condition check.

In nested loops, an unlabeled continue applies to the innermost enclosing loop. Prefer simple conditions when they communicate the same idea more clearly than a complex sequence of continues.

Follow this diagram before executing the example. Check where a value or decision changes what runs next.

This example is a complete program. Save it as main.go or paste it into the Go Playground.

Go code

package main

import "fmt"

func main() {
	for number := 1; number <= 6; number++ {
		if number%2 != 0 {
			continue
		}
		fmt.Println("Even:", number)
	}
	fmt.Println("Done")
}

Output

Even: 2
Even: 4
Even: 6
Done

Odd numbers have a nonzero remainder when divided by 2, so the loop skips their print statement. Even numbers 2, 4 and 6 are printed, and the loop ends normally with Done.

• continue does not mean stop the loop; use break for that.
• Make sure a condition-only loop still advances its state when you use continue, or you may create an infinite loop.

Change the condition to skip multiples of 3 instead. List the remaining numbers before running.

Tip: Edit the example above, predict the output, and run the modified code to test your reasoning.

You have practiced Go continue Statement in a small, self-contained program. The important habit is to predict what runs, inspect the actual output and distinguish the language rule from the particular example.

Before continuing, make sure you can explain the program to someone who has not seen it, including the line that changes its result.