It's well-known that break and continue can be used inside a loop:

for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
  console.log(i);
  if (i === 3) {
    break;
  }
}

It's well-known that break and continue can be used inside a loop:

for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
  console.log(i);
  if (i === 3) {
    break;
  }
}

Is there a way to use them in an if statement, to exit the control out of If block or restart the if statement?

• javascript
• loops
• break
• continue

• 8 What actual problem are you trying to solve by doing this? – T.J. Crowder Commented Mar 2, 2020 at 7:36
• 1 What would that do? – deceze ♦ Commented Mar 2, 2020 at 7:37
• 3 This is an XY problem. Please tell us what the real problem is that you're trying to solve, and we will help you with that instead. Also please read (or refresh) How to Ask, as well as this question checklist. And lastly don't forget how to create a minimal reproducible example to show us. – Some programmer dude Commented Mar 2, 2020 at 7:38
• Thanks but i found the solution, with the help of callbacks – Sherwin Samuel Commented Mar 2, 2020 at 7:55

2 Answers 2

The answer is different for break (yes) and continue (no).

break

You can use break in an if, yes, if you label the if. I wouldn't, but you can:

foo: if (true) {
    console.log("In if before break");
    break foo;
    console.log("In if after break");
}
console.log("After if");

That outputs

In if before break
After if

This isn't specific to if. You can label any statement, and for those with some kind of body (loops, switch, if, try, with, block, ...), you can use break within the body to break out of it. For instance, here's an example breaking out of a block statement:

foo: {
    console.log("In block before break");
    break foo;
    console.log("In block after break");
}
console.log("After block");

In block before break
After block

continue

You can't use continue with if (not even a labelled one) because if isn't an iteration statement; from the spec.

It is a Syntax Error if this ContinueStatement is not nested, directly or indirectly (but not crossing function boundaries), within an IterationStatement.

Normally you can't. You can only use return; to discontinue code execution in an if statement.

Using break;

if (true) {
  break;
}
console.log(1)

Using continue;

if (true) {
  continue;
}
console.log(1)