The continue keyword in Python is a powerful tool for controlling the flow of your loops. It allows you to skip specific iterations of a loop without terminating the entire loop execution. This can be incredibly useful when you want to process some iterations differently or avoid certain actions based on specific conditions.

How continue Works

The continue keyword works within for and while loops. When Python encounters a continue statement inside a loop, it immediately jumps to the next iteration of the loop, skipping any code that comes after it within the current iteration.

Syntax of continue

The syntax of the continue keyword is straightforward:

continue

You simply use the continue keyword as a standalone statement within your loop.

Practical Use Cases

Let's explore some practical scenarios where continue proves incredibly beneficial.

Example 1: Skipping Even Numbers in a for Loop

Let's say we want to iterate through a list of numbers and print only the odd numbers. The continue keyword comes in handy:

numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

for num in numbers:
  if num % 2 == 0:
    continue
  print(num)

Output:

1
3
5
7
9

In this code:

• We iterate through the numbers list using a for loop.
• For each num, we check if it's divisible by 2 (even).
• If num is even, we encounter the continue statement. This skips the rest of the code in the current iteration, moving directly to the next number.
• If num is odd, we print it.

Example 2: Processing Valid User Input in a while Loop

Imagine you're asking a user for input. You want them to provide a positive number. Here's how you can handle invalid inputs using continue:

while True:
  user_input = input("Enter a positive number: ")
  try:
    number = int(user_input)
    if number > 0:
      print("Valid input:", number)
      break
    else:
      print("Please enter a positive number.")
      continue
  except ValueError:
    print("Invalid input. Please enter an integer.")
    continue

Output:

Enter a positive number: -5
Please enter a positive number.
Enter a positive number: hello
Invalid input. Please enter an integer.
Enter a positive number: 10
Valid input: 10

In this loop:

• We keep asking the user for input until they provide a valid positive number.
• If the user enters a negative number, we print an error message and use continue to skip the rest of the code and ask for input again.
• If the user enters non-numeric input, we handle the ValueError using a try-except block and also use continue to ask for input again.

Key Points to Remember

• continue only skips the current iteration. The loop itself continues running.
• Be mindful of where you place continue within your loop, as it affects the code that gets executed.
• continue can be used in both for and while loops.
• Use continue strategically to enhance your code's readability and clarity.

Conclusion

The continue keyword is an important part of Python's loop control mechanisms. It helps you to streamline your code by skipping specific iterations based on conditions, leading to more efficient and tailored loop execution. By understanding and effectively using continue, you gain more control over how your loops behave, improving your Python coding skills.