- With loop
Syntax:
//loop or switch case
break;
Flowchart of break in c
Example
#include<stdio.h>
#include<stdlib.h>
void main ()
{
int i;
for(i = 0; i<10; i++)
{
printf("%d ",i);
if(i == 5)
break;
}
printf("came outside of loop i = %d",i);
}
Output
0 1 2 3 4 5 came outside of loop i = 5
How does the break statement work?
The "break" statement works similarly to other programming languages in C programming. A control flow statement is used to exit a loop or switch statement early when a specific condition is met. The "break" statement is beneficial when you want to terminate a loop early or exit a switch block before it ends. The process of the "break" statement works in C is the same as in other programming languages:
- The loop (while or for) or the switch (or a series of "if-else" statements ) begins execution.
- The program analyzes the condition within the "if" statement that includes the "break" statement throughout each iteration of the loop or each check in the switch .
- If the condition is "true" , the "break" statement is performed.
- When a "break" statement is found, the program immediately quits the loop or switch block , skipping any remaining iterations or checks.
- The program continues to execute the code following the loop or switch
Note: The "break" statement only affects the innermost loop or switch block which is contained within the statement. If there are nested loops or switch statements, the nearest one that includes the "break" statement will be broken out of.
Without the "break" statement, the loop or switch would proceed with its regular execution, handling all subsequent iterations or checks, regardless of whether the required condition has already been satisfied. The inclusion of the "break" statement offers a streamlined method to prematurely exit loops or switch blocks once additional iterations or checks are unnecessary.
Use of break statements in different cases with their examples:
Let us go through each use case of the "break" statement in C with detailed explanations and examples:
- Simple Loops
- Nested Loops
- Infinite Loops
- Switch case
- Simple Loops:
When a particular condition is met, the "break" statement is commonly employed in basic loops such as "while" and "for" to prematurely end the loop. This feature is beneficial when there is a need to halt the loop before its natural completion based on a specific condition.
Syntax:
It has the following syntax:
While loop
while (condition) {
// Code block inside the loop
if (some_condition) {
break; // Exit the loop if this condition is met
}
// Rest of the loop's code
}
For loop
for (initialization; condition; increment) {
// Code block inside the loop
if (some_condition) {
break; // Exit the loop if this condition is met
}
// Rest of the loop's code
}
Example:
Let's consider an example to illustrate the utilization of the break statement within basic loops in the C programming language:
Example
// Using break in a while loop
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
inti = 1;
while (i<= 10) {
if (i == 5) {
break; // Exit the loop when i becomes 5
}
printf("%d ", i);
i++;
}
printf("\n");
return 0;
}
Output
1 2 3 4
Explanation:
In this instance, the "while" loop prints numbers 1 to 4. As soon as i reaches 5, the "if" statement if ( i == 5 ) evaluates to true, leading to the execution of the "break" statement, which terminates the loop prematurely.
2. Nested Loops:
The break statement is useful for exiting both the inner and outer loops at the same time in nested loops. This feature enables you to halt the execution of multiple loop iterations simultaneously.
Syntax:
It has the following syntax:
for (outer_loop_initialization; outer_loop_condition; outer_loop_increment) {
// Code block of the outer loop
for (inner_loop_initialization; inner_loop_condition; inner_loop_increment) {
// Code block of the inner loop
if (some_condition) {
break; // Exit both inner and outer loops if this condition is met
}
// Rest of the inner loop's code
}
// Rest of the outer loop's code
}
Example:
Let's consider an example to illustrate the utilization of the break statement within nested loops in the C programming language:
Example
// Using break in nested loops
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
for (inti = 1; i<= 3; i++) {
for (int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {
if (i == 2 && j == 2) {
break; // Exit both loops when i=2 and j=2
}
printf("(%d, %d) ", i, j);
}
}
printf("\n");
return 0;
}
Output
(1, 1) (1, 2) (1, 3)
Explanation:
In this instance, the nested iterations produce pairs of whole numbers between 1 and 3. If the value of i is 2 and j is 2, the condition within the "if" statement (if ( i == 2 && j == 2 )) evaluates to true. As a result, the "break" statement is executed, terminating both loops simultaneously.
3. Infinite Loops:
An endless loop continues to execute indefinitely until it is either stopped by a "break" statement or by meeting a different condition within the loop. In scenarios where a loop runs infinitely, the "break" statement is commonly employed to provide an exit strategy based on specific conditions.
Syntax:
It has the following syntax:
while (1) { // Infinite loop using a true condition
// Code block inside the loop
if (some_condition) {
break; // Exit the loop if this condition is met
}
// Rest of the loop's code
}
Example:
Let's consider a scenario to illustrate the utilization of the break statement within endless loops in the C programming language:
Example
// Using break in an infinite loop
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int number;
while (1) {
printf("Enter a number (0 to exit): ");
scanf("%d", &number);
if (number == 0) {
break; // Exit the loop when the user enters 0
}
printf("You entered: %d\n", number);
}
return 0;
}
Output
Enter a number (0 to exit): 7
You entered: 7
Enter a number (0 to exit): 5
You entered: 5
Enter a number (0 to exit): 0
Explanation:
In this particular scenario, the software continuously prompts the user to input a numerical value within an endless loop. When the user inputs a value of 0, the condition within the "if" statement (if ( number == 0 )) evaluates to true. Consequently, the "break" statement is triggered, causing the loop to cease execution and effectively concluding the program.
4. Switch Case:
The "break" keyword is employed within a "switch" statement to exit the switch block once a specific case has been executed. Omitting the "break" statement would result in the program executing the code for all the following cases, which could result in unforeseen behavior.
Syntax:
It has the following syntax:
switch (expression) {
case value1:
// Code block for case value1
break; // Exit the switch block after executing this case
case value2:
// Code block for case value2
break; // Exit the switch block after executing this case
// More cases...
default:
// Code block for the default case
break; // Exit the switch block after executing this case
}
Example:
Example
Let's consider an example to grasp the functionality of the break statement within a switch case in the programming language C:
// Using break in a switch statement
#include <stdio.h>
int main() {
int choice;
printf("Menu:\n");
printf("1. Option 1\n");
printf("2. Option 2\n");
printf("3. Quit\n");
printf("Enter your choice: ");
scanf("%d", &choice);
switch (choice) {
case 1:
printf("You selected Option 1\n");
break;
case 2:
printf("You selected Option 2\n");
break;
case 3:
printf("Quitting the menu...\n");
break;
default:
printf("Invalid choice. Try one more time.\n");
break;
}
return 0;
}
Output (Example 1):
Menu:
Option 1
Option 2
Quit
Enter your choice: 2
You selected Option 2
Output (Example 2):
Menu:
Option 1
Option 2
Quit
Enter your choice: 4
Invalid choice. Try one more time.
Explanation:
In this scenario, the software displays a menu and requests the user to choose an option. The appropriate "case" section is then executed depending on the user's selection. Upon completion of the relevant "case" segment, the "break" statement is used to exit the switch block, ensuring that the program does not continue to execute the code for other cases.
Here are the various methods you can employ the "break" keyword in C to manage the execution flow of your program within loops and switch-case constructs. The "break" statement offers a robust means to terminate loops and switch blocks upon specific criteria being satisfied, enhancing the effectiveness and operability of your code.
Features of the Break Statement
When a loop or switch statement is executed, the break statement in the C programming language is used to stop it. It offers several features:
- Loop termination: The break statement allows you to exit a loop prematurely based on a specific condition. It can help you save execution time by avoiding unnecessary iterations when the desired condition has been met. It provides a way to break out of nested loops as well.
- Switch statement termination: In C, the break statement is commonly used within a switch statement to terminate the execution of the entire switch block . Without the break statement, execution would continue to the next case, potentially leading to unintended behavior.
- Enhanced control flow: By using the break statement , you have fine-grained control over the flow of your program. It allows you to conditionally exit loops or switch statements based on specific criteria, providing flexibility and control.
- Code organization and readability: Properly using break statements can lead to cleaner & more readable code. It lets you convey your goal by exiting a loop when a given condition is fulfilled, making the code easier to understand & maintain.
- Error handling: The break statement can be helpful in error-handling scenarios. For example, if an error condition arises during a loop iteration, you may use the break to quit the loop and handle the problem correctly.
- Efficiency: When dealing with large loops or switch statements , using the break statement can improve the efficiency of your code. Terminating the loop or switching early unnecessary computations can be avoided, leading to faster execution.