GoTo

In VB.NET we cannot go to a line number. Instead we provide a label. We then use GoTo "Label" to go to the labeled statement.

In a nested loop, it can be hard to exit outer loops. With a GoTo we can simply travel to a location after all enclosing loops. This is simpler and clearer.

First example

This statement transfers control to a Label in the current program. Here we specify a label named "World" and then Goto World. We Return when "i" reaches 3.

Tip With GoTo we can build loops without the For construct. This often become confusing. But GoTo has some uses.

Module Module1
    Sub Main()
        Dim i As Integer = 0
        Console.WriteLine("Hello")

World:
        ' These statements come after World label.
        ' ... Print done when "i" is greater or equal to 3.
        If (i >= 3) Then
            Console.WriteLine("Done")
            Return
        End If
        ' ... Print string.
        Console.WriteLine("World")
        ' ... Increment and GoTo World label.
        i += 1
        GoTo World

    End Sub
End ModuleHello
World
World
World
Done

Nested loops

Here we have two loops—the first iterates with the variable "i," and the second is nested within that loop. When the two loop indexes are certain values, we use a GoTo.

And With the GoTo we exit all enclosing loops. A "Finished" message is printed.

Tip In this example the GoTo is similar to a "Return." For clearer code, we could refactor into a Function and use Return.

Module Module1
    Sub Main()
        ' Two nested loops.
        ' ... On a certain condition, exit both loops with a GoTo.
        For i As Integer = 0 To 5
            For x As Integer = 0 To 5
                ' Display our indexes.
                Console.WriteLine("{0}, {1}", i, x)
                If x = 1 And i = 3 Then
                    ' Use GoTo to exit two loops.
                    GoTo AFTER
                End If

            Next
        Next
AFTER:
        ' Print a message.
        Console.WriteLine("Finished")
    End Sub
End Module0, 0
0, 1
0, 2
0, 3
0, 4
0, 5
1, 0
1, 1
1, 2
1, 3
1, 4
1, 5
2, 0
2, 1
2, 2
2, 3
2, 4
2, 5
3, 0
3, 1
Finished

Some notes

Labels can be uppercase or lowercase. It is best to use a consistent naming scheme for labels. This depends on the programming style in your current project.

For complex code, GoTo can help simplify logic. In VB.NET we use this statement to move to a block that is within a containing scope. This is powerful and useful.