Python continue Statement: Skip an Iteration

This guide explains continue Statement: Skip an Iteration through a focused example and practical reasoning. No prior knowledge of this specific operation is required.

Understanding the Concept

continue skips the rest of the current iteration and begins the next one. It is useful for filtering invalid items without increasing indentation for the main processing logic.

When You Would Use This

Ignore negative readings in a simple report.

Step-by-Step Example

readings = [18, -1, 21, -3, 20]
for reading in readings:
    if reading < 0:
        continue
    print("Accepted:", reading)

How the Example Works

The body prints only 18, 21 and 20. Negative values skip directly to the next reading.

Example Output

Accepted: 18
Accepted: 21
Accepted: 20

Try It Yourself

Add a counter for rejected negative readings and display it after the loop.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Confusing continue with break, which ends the loop.
• Skipping necessary counter updates in a while loop and creating an infinite loop.
• Using continue to hide invalid data that should be reported.

Key Takeaways

• continue skips the rest of the current iteration and begins the next one.
• The body prints only 18, 21 and 20.
• Avoid this mistake: Confusing continue with break, which ends the loop.