JavaScript

The short answer

break exits a loop entirely — no more iterations run. continue skips the current iteration and jumps to the next one. Both give you control over loop execution flow.

break

1for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
2  if (i === 5) break; // exits the loop
3  console.log(i);
4}
5// Output: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4

Common use: stop searching once you find what you need:

1const users = [
2  { name: 'Alice' },
3  { name: 'Bob' },
4  { name: 'Charlie' },
5];
6let found;
7
8for (const user of users) {
9  if (user.name === 'Bob') {
10    found = user;
11    break; // no need to check the rest
12  }
13}

continue

1for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
2  if (i % 2 === 0) continue; // skip even numbers
3  console.log(i);
4}
5// Output: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9

Common use: skip items that do not meet a condition without nesting inside if:

1for (const item of items) {
2  if (!item.active) continue;
3  processItem(item);
4}

In switch statements

break is also used in switch to prevent fall-through:

1switch (color) {
2  case 'red':
3    console.log('Stop');
4    break; // without this, it falls through to the next case
5  case 'green':
6    console.log('Go');
7    break;
8}

Interview Tip

Show one example of each with a for loop. Mention that break is also used in switch statements. This is a basic question — keep it short.

Why interviewers ask this

This tests fundamental control flow knowledge. It is a simple question usually asked in early-career interviews.

What is the purpose of break and continue?