⏭️ PHP Continue Statement – Skip Loop Iterations with Precision

Master the continue statement in PHP to skip over specific loop iterations while keeping the loop running.

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🧲 Introduction – Why Use the continue Statement?

The continue statement in PHP is used to skip the rest of the current loop iteration and jump to the next one. It’s essential for filtering, skipping invalid data, and improving performance by avoiding unnecessary processing within loops.

🎯 In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How continue works in different loops
• The difference between continue and break
• Real-world examples for arrays, numbers, and conditions
• Best practices for clarity and control

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🔁 Basic continue in a for Loop

for ($i = 1; $i <= 5; $i++) {
    if ($i == 3) continue;
    echo "$i ";
}

🔍 Output: 1 2 4 5

📘 Skips the iteration when $i == 3, then continues the loop.

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🔄 continue in a while Loop

$i = 0;

while ($i < 5) {
    $i++;
    if ($i == 2) continue;
    echo "$i ";
}

🔍 Output: 1 3 4 5

📘 Skips printing 2.

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🔃 continue in a foreach Loop

$items = ['apple', 'banana', 'mango'];

foreach ($items as $item) {
    if ($item == 'banana') continue;
    echo "$item ";
}

🔍 Output: apple mango

📘 Ideal for skipping over unwanted values in arrays.

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⛓️ Skipping Multiple Levels (Nested Loops)

for ($i = 1; $i <= 3; $i++) {
    for ($j = 1; $j <= 3; $j++) {
        if ($j == 2) continue 2;
        echo "($i, $j) ";
    }
}

🔍 Output: (1, 1) (2, 1) (3, 1)

📘 continue 2 skips the current iteration of both nested loops.

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🔁 continue vs break

Statement	Behavior
continue	Skips to the next iteration of the loop
break	Exits the loop or switch entirely

📘 Use continue to skip — use break to exit.

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💡 Real-World Example – Skip Invalid Entries

$emails = ['admin@example.com', '', 'user@example.com'];

foreach ($emails as $email) {
    if (empty($email)) continue;
    echo "Sending to: $email <br>";
}

🔍 Output:

Sending to: admin@example.com
Sending to: user@example.com

📘 Skips sending to empty email addresses.

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🧠 Best Practices

• ✅ Use continue for cleaner logic instead of deeply nested if blocks
• ✅ Add comments when skipping conditions aren’t obvious
• ❌ Avoid continue abuse — excessive skipping can lead to confusing loops
• ✅ Use continue N for skipping nested loop levels when necessary

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📌 Summary – Recap & Next Steps

The continue statement is a great tool for fine-tuning loop control in PHP. It helps you filter out conditions dynamically while maintaining loop flow.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• Skips the current iteration and proceeds to the next
• Works in for, while, and foreach loops
• Use continue N for nested loops
• Different from break, which exits the loop

⚙️ Real-World Use Cases:
Filtering invalid inputs, skipping empty records, skipping excluded items during list rendering.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ Can I use continue in all loop types?
✅ Yes — it works in for, while, do...while, and foreach.

❓ What’s the difference between continue and break?
✅ continue skips to the next iteration. break exits the loop entirely.

❓ How do I skip both inner and outer loops?
✅ Use continue 2 to skip two levels in nested loops.

❓ Can I use continue in switch statements?
❌ No — continue is meant for loops only, not switch.

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