Structured Programming

4. Loops

Loops allow for the same statement to be executed a number of times in succession. There are three different loop constructs that can be used depending on whether the number of repetitions is known and also (where the number of repetitions is not known and is dependent on a condition) whether the loop is allowed to be bypassed if the termination condition is met before the loop is first executed.

For

A for loop allows a statement to be executed a specified number of times.

The for loop begins with a loop control variable assigned a specific initial value. This control variable in then incremented (or decremented) by a specified amount each time around the loop until a specified terminating value is reached at which time the statement following the loop is then executed.

pseudo code

example

This example will output 3 5 7 9 11.

While

A while loop allows a statement to be executed until a given condition is met. If the condition is met prior to executing the loop then the loop will not be executed. As soon as the condition is met, execution continues with the statement following the loop.

pseudo code

example

Until

An until loop also allows a statement to be executed until a given condition is met but the condition will not be tested until after the loop has been executed once. Once the condition is met the statement following the loop will be executed.

pseudo code

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