SyntaxError: ‘break’ outside loop in Python

In Python, some predefined statements perform specific operations in the program, such as def, break, return, etc. The “break” statement is written inside the loop to exit the loop after executing a specific expression. If the “break” statement is used outside the loop, then the error “break outside loop” occurs in Python.

This write-up will give you various reasons and solutions for “break outside loop” in Python.

So, let’s get started!

Reason 1: Using “break” Statement Outside the Loop

The primary reason which generates this error in Python is when the user tries to use a break statement outside the loop. The error is displayed below:

The above snippet shows the “SyntaxError” because the break statement is used outside the loop.

Solution: Use raise Exception

To resolve this error, we can replace the “break” statement with “raise Exception”. This will show an exception error along with a message and exit the program.

Code:

a = 'Alex'
b = 'John David'
if len(a) == len(b):
    print('True')
else:
    raise Exception ('String Length is Not Equal')

In the above code, the “exception” is raised in the program when the length of two strings is not equal. If the length of two strings is equal, then the statements of the “if” block are executed.

The above output shows the “Exception” because the program will not fulfill the “if” statement condition.

Solution 2: Use sys.exit() Function

To resolve this error, the “sys.exit()” function of the “sys” module is used in the program. The “sys.exit()” function terminates the program and does not execute the statement written after this function.

Code:

import sys

a = 'Alex'
b = 'John David'
if len(a) == len(b):
    print('True')
else:
    sys.exit()

In the above example, the “sys” module is imported at the beginning to access the “sys.exit()” function. When the “if” statement condition is not fulfilled, then the “sys.exit()” function in the else block executes and terminates the program.

Output:

The above output verified that the program was terminated successfully when the “sys.exit()” function was accessed.

Solution 3: Use While Loop

The “break” statement is normally used in Python with the “for” and “while” loops to break the loop. Let’s have a look at the below code in which the break statement is used to exit the loop:

Code:

a = 'Alex'
b = 'John'
while True:
    if len(a) == len(b):
        break
    print('Lily')
print("Break Success")

In the above code, the “break” statement will break the sequence of “while” loops when the “if” statement comparison becomes equal. The print() function written after the “break” statement will not execute because the loop has been broken.

Output:

The above snippet shows that the “break” statement successfully exits the program because the code after the break statement will not execute.

Conclusion

The “SyntaxError: break outside loop” occurs when a user tries to use the “break” statement outside the loop within the “if ” statement in Python. To resolve this error, we can replace the “break” statement with “Exception” or use the “sys.exit()” function in a program. We can also use “for” loop and “while” loop to resolve this error because the “break” Statement normally used inside the loop to break the loop. This blog provides a detailed guide on how to fix the “break outside loop” error in Python using various solutions.