How to break a loop from an outside function

Question

My question is how can you break from outside a loop. If i can't is there a work around?

def breaker(numberOfTimesYouWantToBreak):
    for i in range(0,numberOfTimesYouWantToBreak+1):
        return break
while True:
    for i in range(0,100000):
        breaker(10)
        print(i)

The result i want is:

11,12,13,14...

You cannot return a `break` statement from another function. Besides, there is no such thing as breaking more than once. — Martijn Pieters, Aug 19 '14 at 12:51

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 19 '14 at 12:53

You cannot use the break statement anywhere else but directly in the loop. You cannot return it from another function, it is not an object to be passed around.

You appear to want to skip, not break from the loop, however. You are looking for the continue keyword instead:

for i in range(0,100000):
    if i < 10:
        continue
    print(i)

If you must use a separate function, then have that function return True or False and use an if test to conditionally use continue:

def should_skip(i):
    return i < 10

for i in range(0,100000):
    if should_skip(i):
        continue
    print(i)

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 19 '14 at 12:53

1

It's impossible.

The workaround is to put your code into a function and return from the function.

answered Aug 19 '14 at 12:53

wim

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Thanks this is also useful i will know next time! – Steven Cox Aug 19 '14 at 13:05

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 19 '14 at 12:54

0

You can't break externally, however, for the same effect you can do this:

for i in range(0,100000):
    i += 10 + 1 #(10 is the number you wanted in the break function)
    print(i)

answered Aug 19 '14 at 12:54

Blubberguy22

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How to break a loop from an outside function

3 Answers3

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