Python syntax for an empty while loop

Question

I have written this:

    while file.readline().startswith("#"):
        continue

But I suspect the continue is unnecessary? What is the correct syntax for what i'm trying to achieve?

When I do this sort of thing I have a generator that skips commented lines and just yields the good lines. Whereas your use case seems to be for skipping the comments at the head of a file. — sotapme
– sotapme, Commented Feb 10, 2013 at 11:18
In this simple example pass and continue are equivalent. I'd favour continue however as it expresses your intent more clearly. — Rob Cowie
– Rob Cowie, Commented Feb 10, 2013 at 11:20

ogzd · Accepted Answer · 2013-02-10 11:10:15Z

81

while file.readline().startswith("#"):
    pass

This uses the pass statement :

The pass statement does nothing. It can be used when a statement is required syntactically but the program requires no action.

http://www.network-theory.co.uk/docs/pytut/passStatements.html

edited Feb 10, 2013 at 11:10

answered Feb 10, 2013 at 11:07

ogzd

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social · Accepted Answer · 2022-05-23 01:44:37Z

1

Accepted answer link to pass statement tutorial is no longer working see official docs here:

https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/controlflow.html#pass-statements

pass is a null operation — when it is executed, nothing happens. It is useful as a placeholder when a statement is required syntactically, but no code needs to be executed

answered May 23, 2022 at 1:44

social

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