freeCodeCamp/guide/english/cplusplus/goto/index.md

---
title: goto
---

# Intro to the use of goto and labels

goto is one of the most powerful pieces of logic in C/C++. Crazy amounts of optimization can be achieved using goto, provided it is used properly. **It is, however, discouraged for use in C++, since better ways of programming exist, and it [leads to spaghetti code](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3517726/what-is-wrong-with-using-goto#3517746)**  
It does exactly what it is named as. It goes to the mentioned occurence of the next label, wherever may it be.

# Terminology

	goto - The keyword used to go to the particular label.
	label - this can be named anything.
# syntax

`goto label; //This takes the program flow to the next appearance of label.`

goto is something that transcends all loops. To be clearer on this point, here is an example.

```
#include <iostream>
using std::cout;

int main() {
for(;;)
{
if(1)
goto label;

}
label:
cout << "lol"; //here, goto is used to get out of an otherwise infinite loop. That is one of the only places where goto is tolerated.
    return 0;
}
```
[Try the code here!](https://wandbox.org/permlink/tG0aInbyuKJQC4ER)

**However, care must be taken to use goto very carefully.**