Core Java | Java Tutorial

Introduction

The break statement in Java is used to stop a loop or switch case early. It sends control to the statement that follows the loop or switch, ending the current iteration or case.

Table of Contents

• What is a break Statement?
• Syntax of break Statement
• How break Statement Works
• Simple break Statement Example
• break Statement in a for Loop
• break Statement in a while Loop
• break Statement in a do-while Loop
• break Statement in a Switch Case
• Using break with Labels
• Conclusion

What is a break Statement?

The break statement is used to leave a loop or switch case early. It’s useful when you want to stop the loop or switch based on a certain condition.

Syntax of break Statement

break;

How break Statement Works

• When the break statement is reached in a loop or switch, the control leaves the loop or switch.
• The code after the loop or switch runs next.

Simple break Statement Example

public class SimpleBreakExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
            if (i == 5) {
                break;
            }
            System.out.println("i: " + i);
        }
    }
}
    

Explanation: This loop prints numbers from 1 to 4. When i is 5, the break statement ends the loop.

break Statement in a for Loop

public class BreakInForLoop {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
            if (i == 7) {
                break;
            }
            System.out.println("i: " + i);
        }
    }
}
    

Explanation: This loop prints numbers from 1 to 6. When i is 7, the break statement ends the loop.

break Statement in a while Loop

public class BreakInWhileLoop {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int i = 1;
        while (i <= 10) {
            if (i == 7) {
                break;
            }
            System.out.println("i: " + i);
            i++;
        }
    }
}
    

Explanation: This loop prints numbers from 1 to 6. When i is 7, the break statement ends the loop.

break Statement in a do-while Loop

public class BreakInDoWhileLoop {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int i = 1;
        do {
            if (i == 7) {
                break;
            }
            System.out.println("i: " + i);
            i++;
        } while (i <= 10);
    }
}
    

Explanation: This loop prints numbers from 1 to 6. When i is 7, the break statement ends the loop.

break Statement in a Switch Case

public class BreakInSwitchCase {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int day = 3;
        switch (day) {
            case 1:
                System.out.println("Monday");
                break;
            case 2:
                System.out.println("Tuesday");
                break;
            case 3:
                System.out.println("Wednesday");
                break;
            case 4:
                System.out.println("Thursday");
                break;
            case 5:
                System.out.println("Friday");
                break;
            default:
                System.out.println("Weekend");
                break;
        }
    }
}
    

Explanation: This program prints "Wednesday" because day is 3. It then exits the switch statement using break.

Using break with Labels

public class BreakWithLabel {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        outerLoop: for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
            for (int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {
                if (j == 2) {
                    break outerLoop;
                }
                System.out.println("i: " + i + ", j: " + j);
            }
        }
    }
}
    

Explanation: This loop uses a label outerLoop. It exits the outer loop when j is 2, ending both loops.

Conclusion

The break statement in Java is a strong tool for stopping loops or switch cases early. Knowing when and how to use break, including with nested loops and labels, helps make your code cleaner and easier to follow.