Understanding and Using the C# `break` Statement for Loop Control

Master the C# `break` statement for controlling loop execution. This tutorial explains how `break` terminates `for`, `while`, `do-while`, and `switch` statements prematurely, providing clear examples and demonstrating its behavior in nested loops. Write more efficient and predictable C# code.

Understanding and Using the C# `break` Statement

Introduction

The `break` statement in C# is a control flow statement that terminates a loop (for, while, do-while) or a switch statement prematurely. It alters the normal sequential execution of your code.

Syntax

The syntax is simple:

break;

Example 1: `break` in a Single Loop

This example demonstrates how `break` exits a for loop when the counter reaches 5.

using System;

public class BreakExample {
    public static void Main(string[] args) {
        for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
            if (i == 5) {
                break;
            }
            Console.WriteLine(i);
        }
    }
}

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Example 2: `break` in Nested Loops

In nested loops, `break` only exits the innermost loop where it's placed.

using System;

public class BreakExample {
    public static void Main(string[] args) {
        for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
            for (int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {
                if (i == 2 && j == 2) {
                    break; // Exits only the inner loop
                }
                Console.WriteLine(i + " " + j);
            }
        }
    }
}

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Conclusion

The `break` statement is a valuable tool for controlling loop execution. Understanding its behavior, especially in nested loops, is key to writing efficient and predictable C# code.