Skip an Iteration
continue skips the rest of the current loop iteration and moves to the next one.
It is useful for filtering values without deeply nested conditions.
JavaScript Tutorial
JavaScript continue Statement
The continue statement skips the current iteration and jumps to the next one.
It helps filter items without deep nesting.
Why We Need It
Filtering values is common when processing arrays or streams.
continue keeps the loop body clean and focused on valid items.
Syntax
continue;Basic Example
1. Skip an item
for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
if (i === 2) continue;
console.log(i);
}The value 2 is skipped.
Real World Example
2. Filter odd numbers
const nums = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5];
for (const n of nums) {
if (n % 2 !== 0) continue;
console.log(n);
}continue skips all odd numbers.
Multiple Use Cases
Filtering Patterns
continue makes it easy to ignore certain items while looping.
It keeps the main logic flatter and easier to read.
Combine with Guards
Use continue alongside guard checks to avoid nested if blocks.
Be careful to still update counters to avoid infinite loops.
More Examples
3. Guard in while
let i = 0;
while (i < 5) {
i++;
if (i === 3) continue;
console.log(i);
}Remember to update the counter before continuing.
4. Skip empty values
const items = ["a", "", "b"];
for (const item of items) {
if (!item) continue;
console.log(item);
}Skip empty strings with a continue guard.
Comparison
Without
for (const n of nums) {
if (n % 2 === 0) {
console.log(n);
}
}With
for (const n of nums) {
if (n % 2 !== 0) continue;
console.log(n);
}Common Mistakes and Fixes
Forgetting to update counters
Make sure the loop state still changes before continue.
Overusing continue
Use clear conditions; too many continues can be confusing.
Skipping needed work
Ensure skipped iterations do not miss required side effects.
Interview Questions
What does continue do?
It skips the rest of the current loop iteration.
When is continue useful?
When filtering items without nested if blocks.
How do you avoid infinite loops?
Update counters before continue in while loops.
Practice Problem
Practice: Print only the positive numbers from an array using continue.
const nums = [-1, 2, 0, 3, -5];
// TODO: print only positives
One Possible Solution
const nums = [-1, 2, 0, 3, -5];
for (const n of nums) {
if (n <= 0) continue;
console.log(n);
}Frequently Asked Questions
What does continue do?
It skips the rest of the current iteration and moves to the next one.
How is continue different from break?
Break exits the loop entirely; continue only skips one iteration.
Can I use continue in while loops?
Yes, but make sure the loop state still changes.
Try It Yourself
Try skipping different values and see how the output changes.