Java Secret: Labels as an Anti-Pattern

Overview

It is well known that Java has no goto. (Technically goto is a keyword, but it cannot be used any where)

However, Java has continue and break which can be mis-used just like goto can.

NOTE: This article is not an example what to do. It is an article which will help you better understand Java's edge cases and help you recognise mis-use.

Recognising a label

A Java Puzzler uses a label to create some strange looking code.
public static void main(String... args) {
    http://www.google.com/search?q=Hello+World
    System.out.println("Hello World");
}
This compiles and runs. This is because what appears to be a URL is actually a label and a comment. ;)

goto backwards

If you want to go back you can use the following structure.
while(true) {
   // do something.
   if(go-back) 
      continue;
   // do something else.
   if(go-back) 
      continue;
   break;
}
The only purpose of the loop is to allow code to jump back to the start. Using labels it could look like this.
LOOP1: while(true) {
   // do something.
   LOOP2: while(true) {
       // do something.
       if(go-back) 
         continue LOOP1;
       // do something.
   }
   // do something else.
   if(go-back) 
      continue LOOP1;
   break;
}
This creates the sort of spaghetti code which removing goto was supposed to avoid. :(

goto forwards

You can use break to goto forwards

ONE: do {
   // do something
   if(goto-forwards)
      break ONE;
   // do something.
} while(false);
The while(false) is a loop which only loops once. i.e. not really a loop.

What is perhaps surprising and that unlike continue, break doesn't need a loop.
HERE:
{
    System.out.println("First");
    if (true)
        break HERE;
    System.out.println("Last");
}
prints
First

Comments

  1. I always thought break and continue are cousins of goto, but I never tried to prove it, thanks!:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I find the idea you can use break without a loop or switch the most disturbing. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Neat Article!

    The break does not need a loop. It is actually quite useful, and I have used it in not quite the contrived way you have, but effectively to short-circuit code.

    The first example with the seeming URL is neat. I will need to use that one in a JUG meeting, or when I teach.

    ReplyDelete

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