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Break

The break keyword in C is used within loops (for, while, do-while) and switch statements. It allows the program to prematurely exit the loop or switch block and continue with the next statement after the loop or switch.

Explanation:

In loops: When encountered, the break statement terminates the loop immediately, and the control moves to the statement following the loop.

In switch statements: The break statement is used to exit the switch block after a case is executed. Without break, the program will fall through to the next case, executing code for subsequent cases until a break statement is encountered or the switch block ends.

Sample Code with Comments:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int i;

    // Using break in a for loop
    printf("Using break in a for loop:\n");
    for (i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
        printf("%d ", i);
        if (i == 3) {
            break; // When i is 3, break the loop
        }
    }
    printf("\n");

    // Using break in a while loop
    printf("\nUsing break in a while loop:\n");
    i = 1;
    while (i <= 5) {
        printf("%d ", i);
        if (i == 3) {
            break; // When i is 3, break the loop
        }
        i++;
    }
    printf("\n");

    // Using break in a do-while loop
    printf("\nUsing break in a do-while loop:\n");
    i = 1;
    do {
        printf("%d ", i);
        if (i == 3) {
            break; // When i is 3, break the loop
        }
        i++;
    } while (i <= 5);
    printf("\n");

    // Using break in a switch statement
    printf("\nUsing break in a switch statement:\n");
    int option = 2;
    switch (option) {
        case 1:
            printf("Option 1 selected\n");
            break;
        case 2:
            printf("Option 2 selected\n");
            break; // Break after executing case 2
        case 3:
            printf("Option 3 selected\n");
            break;
        default:
            printf("Invalid option\n");
    }

    return 0;
}
Sample Output:

Using break in a for loop:
1 2 3

Using break in a while loop:
1 2 3

Using break in a do-while loop:
1 2 3
Using break in a switch statement:

Option 2 selected

Explanation of the Output:

In the first three loops, the loop stops when i becomes equal to 3 because of the break statement. This is why the output is 1 2 3.

In the switch statement, when option is equal to 2, it executes the corresponding case and then encounters break, which causes the switch block to terminate. Hence, the output is Option 2 selected.


What is the purpose of the 'break' statement in C?

Termination

In which control structures is the 'break' statement commonly used?

Loops

What happens when 'break' is executed within a switch statement in C?

Exit