Chapter 6

More About Loops and

Decisions

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

6.1 Combining Loops With If-Then

Statements
By combining loops and decision structures, programs become much more
complex.
Loops can be nested inside selecJon structures and selecJons can be nested
inside loops.
Loops can be nested inside other loops.
Using mulJple combinaJons of these structures allows for limitless possibiliJes!

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Exi8ng a Loop Early

One reason to nest a selecJon structure inside a loop is to
allow the loop to end before the test condiJon has been
met for any reason. For example:
If the user has entered an incorrect value that would
cause an error
If the user has entered a required response and the
program can conJnue without further iteraJons

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Example: Exi8ng the Loop When Theres No More Money

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Declare Cost, Total, Max As Float

Declare Count As Integer
Set Total = 0
Write Enter the maximum amount you want to spend: $
Input Max
For (Count = 1; Count < 11; Count++)
Write Enter the cost of an item:
Input Cost
Set Total = Total + Cost
If Total > Max Then
Write You have reached your spending limit.
Write You cannot buy this item or anything else.
Set Total = Total Cost
Exit For
End If
Write You have bought + Count + items.
End For
Write Your total cost is $ + Total

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Example: The Guessing Game using a DoWhile loop

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Declare SecretNumber, Count, Guess As Integer

Write Enter a secret number:
Input SecretNumber
Clear Screen
Set Count = 1
Do
Write Guess the secret number:
Input Guess
If Guess == SecretNumber Then
Write You guessed it!
Exit Loop
Else
Write Try again
End If
Set Count = Count + 1
While Count <= 5

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Example: Combining Loops, Decisions, and Valida8ng Data

Compu8ng valid square roots
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Declare Number, Root As Float

Declare Response As Character
Write Do you want to find the square root of a number?
Write Enter y for yes, n for no:
While Response == y
Write Enter a positive number:
Input Number
If (Number >= 0) Then
Set Root = Sqrt(Number)
Write The square root of + Number + is: + Root
Else
Write Your number is invalid.
End If
Write Do you want to do this again?
Write Enter y for yes, n for no:
Input Response
End While

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

6.2 Combining Loops and Decisions in Longer

Programs
The example in the next slide shows how to keep track of how many
posiJve numbers and how many negaJve numbers are input by a
user.
Uses for this type of program:
Embed in a larger program to track various types of entries
Use by a college to enter demographic informaJon on students
Use by a business to track number of items purchased that were above or
below a certain cost

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Example: Keeping Track of User Input

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Declare PositiveCount, NegativeCount, Number As Integer

Set PositiveCount = 0
Set NegativeCount = 0

Write
Enter a number. Enter 0 when done:
Input Number
While Number != 0
If Number > 0 Then
Set PositiveCount = PositiveCount + 1
Else
Set NegativeCount = NegativeCount + 1
End If
Write Enter a number. Enter 0 when done:
Input Number
End While
Write Positive numbers entered: + PositiveCount
Write Negative numbers entered: + NegativeCount

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Flowchart using a
selec8on structure with
a loop to keep track of
the number of posi8ve
and nega8ve numbers
entered

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

The Length_Of() Func8on

The Length_Of() funcJon takes a string or a string variable inside the parentheses and
returns the number of characters in that string.
MyLength = Length_Of(Hello) assigns the value of 5 to MyLength because
Hello has ve characters.
MyLength = Length_Of(Good-bye!) assigns the value of 9 to MyLength because
the string has nine characters, including the hyphen and exclamaJon point.

If Name = Hermione Hatfield then:

MyLength = Length_Of(Name) assigns the value of 17 to MyLength.

If TheSpace = then:
MyLength = Length_Of(TheSpace) assigns the value of 1 to MyLength because a
space counts as one character.

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

The Print Statement and the newline Indicator <NL>

The Write statement indicates output to the
screen with the assumpJon that each new Write
statement would begin on a new line.
The Print statement indicates output to the
screen, including the ability to concatenate variables
and text. However, unJl the newline indicator
is used, it is assumed that output from any
subsequent Print statements will be on the same

Code

Code

Write Hi
Write Ho
Write Done

Print Hi
Print Ho <NL>
Print Done

Display

Display

Hi
Ho
Done

HiHo
Done

line. The newline indicator is <NL>.

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Using the Length_Of() Func8on for FormaRng

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Declare Name As String

Declare Symbol, Choice As Character
Declare Number, Count As Integer
Set Count = 0
Write Enter your name:
Input Name
Write Choose one of the following symbols: * or #
Input Symbol
Write Do you want a space between each symbol? Enter Y for yes, N for no
Input Choice
Set Number = Length_Of(Name)
Print Name <NL>
While Count <= Number
If Choice == y OR Choice == Y Then
Print Symbol +
Set Count = Count + 2
Else
Print Symbol
Set Count = Count + 1
End If
End While

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

6.3 Random Numbers

Random numbers are numbers whose values form an
unpredictable sequence.
They have many interesJng applicaJons in programming.
One major use is to provide an element of chance in
computer games.
They are also used to simulate situa7ons or processes in
business, mathemaJcs, engineering, and other disciplines.

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

The Random() Func8on

Most programming languages contain a funcJon that is used to generate a
sequence of random numbers.
The name of this funcJon and the way it works varies from language to
language.
We dene a funcJon of the following form: Random() which generates a
random number from 0.0 to 1.0 (including 0.0 but not 1.0).
To increase the range of random numbers generated, mulJply Random() by
any value.
To change the spread of the range, add an integer to the values generated.
Use the Int() or Floor() funcJon to generate random integers.
PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Examples of Random Numbers Using the

Random()Func8on
If Random() = 0.3792, then Random() * 10 = 3.7920
If Random() = 0.0578, then Random() * 10 = 0.5780
MulJplying Random() by 10 generates random numbers between 0.0 and
10.0, not including 10.0.
To generate only integer values, use the Floor() or Int() funcJon:
If Random() = 0.3792, then Floor(Random() * 10) = 3
If Random() = 0.0578, then Floor(Random() * 10) = 0
To change the range of integers, add a number to the result. For example, adding
1 to the previous result will generate random numbers between 1 and 10.
If Random() = 0.3792, then (Floor(Random() * 10) + 1) = 4
If Random() = 0.0578, then (Floor(Random() * 10) + 1) = 1

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Genera8ng Random Numbers in Various Ranges

If NewNumber is an integer variable, then:

NewNumber = Floor(Random()
number between 1 and 10 (inclusive)
NewNumber = Floor(Random()
number between 1 and 100 (inclusive)
NewNumber = Floor(Random()
number between 4 and 13 (inclusive)
NewNumber = Floor(Random()
NewNumber = Floor(Random()

* 10) + 1 will result in a random

* 100) + 1 will result in a random
* 10) + 4 will result in a random
* 2) will result in either 0 or 1
* 2) + 1 will result in either 1 or 2

A[er examining these examples, we can conclude that, to generate a sequence of N random integers
beginning with the integer M, use:

Floor(Random() * N) + M
PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Example: Flipping a Coin

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Declare Number As Integer

Declare Response As Character
Write Do you want to flip a coin? Enter y for yes, n for no:
Input Response
While Response == y
Set Number = Floor(Random() * 2)
If Number == 1 Then
Write Heads
Else
Write Tails
End If
Write Flip again? Enter y for yes, n for no:
Input Response
End While

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Example: Winning at Dice: What number should I bet on?

Possible ways to roll the 11 possible sums
1 + 1 = 2

2 + 1 = 3

3 + 1 = 4

4 + 1 = 5

5 + 1 = 6

6 + 1 = 7

1 + 2 = 3

2 + 2 = 4

3 + 2 = 5

4 + 2 = 6

5 + 2 = 7

6 + 2 = 8

1 + 3 = 4

2 + 3 = 5

3 + 3 = 6

4 + 3 = 7

5 + 3 = 8

6 + 3 = 9

1 + 4 = 5

2 + 4 = 6

3 + 4 = 7

4 + 4 = 8

5 + 4 = 9

6 + 4 = 10

1 + 5 = 6

2 + 5 = 7

3 + 5 = 8

4 + 5 = 9

5 + 5 = 10

6 + 5 = 11

1 + 6 = 7

2 + 6 = 8

3 + 6 = 9

4 + 6 = 10

5 + 6 = 11

6 + 6 = 12

Possible ways to roll a 5: (1,4), (4,1), (2,3), (3,2)

Possible ways to roll an 8: (2,6), (6,2), (3,5), (5,3), (4,4)

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Example: Winning at Dice: What number should I bet on?

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Declare FiveCount, EightCount, K, Die1, Die2, Sum As Integer

Set FiveCount = 0
Set EightCount = 0
For (K = 1; K <= 1000; K++)
Set Die1 = Floor(Random() * 6) + 1
Set Die2 = Floor(Random() * 6) + 1
Set Sum = Die1 + Die2
If Sum == 5 Then
Set FiveCount = FiveCount + 1
End If
If Sum == 8 Then
Set EightCount = EightCount + 1
End If
End For
Write Number of times sum was 5: + FiveCount
Write Number of times sum was 8: + EightCount

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

The Algorithm for a Pseudorandom Number

A computer doesnt understand, Pick any number between 1 and 20.
A computer must receive instrucJons from a program.
Random numbers are o[en produced by means of a mathema7cal
algorithm.
A mathemaJcal algorithm is a formula that instructs the computer how
to pick some number in a specied range.
An algorithm requires some beginning value to manipulate.
This starJng number is the seed value.
PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

The Seed for a Pseudorandom Number

If the same seed is used each Jme, the numbers generated are not really random. Such
numbers are called pseudorandom.

If the starJng value of the algorithm never changes, the same sequence of numbers will be
produced each Jme the program is executed. This may be useful for debugging purposes.
The programmer must force the computer to use a dierent seed on each run so that the
random numbers produced will be unpredictable.
use a seed that is not predetermined, like the number of milliseconds since the beginning of the
current year
it will only occur once a year
forces a random number generator to start with a dierent seed each Jme

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

6.4 Nested Loops

When one loop is contained enJrely within another we say that
they are nested loops.
The larger loop is called the outer loop
The one lying within it is called the inner loop

It is o[en dicult to follow the logical sequence of steps when

nested loops are implemented.
It is very important to be able to walk through (desk check) the
pseudocode with paper and pencil, carefully wriJng down the values
of each variable at each step.

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Example
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Declare OutCount As Integer

Declare InCount As Integer
For (OutCount = 1; OutCount <=2; OutCount++)
For (InCount = 1; InCount <=3; InCount++)
Write OutCount + : + InCount
End For(InCount)
Write
End For(OutCount)

OutCount

InCount

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

output

Flowchart for the

nested loops on the
previous slide

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Nes8ng Other Kinds of Loops:

Any style of loop may be nested. Each nested loop must be indented to indicate
which statements are controlled by which looping construct.
Do
Code Statements
While <condition>
More code may be here
For (initial condition; test; increment)
more code here
End For
More code may be here
End While
More code may be here
While <condition>
PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Example:
Drawing
Squares

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Declare Count1, Count2, Side As Integer

Declare Symbol As Character
Write Choose a symbol (any character from the keyboard):
Input Symbol
Write Enter the length of a side of the square:
Input Side
Set Count1 = 1
Set Count2 = 1
While Count1 <= Side
While Count2 <= Side
Print Symbol
Set Count2 = Count2 + 1
End While
Print <NL>
Set Count2 = 1
Set Count1 = Count1 + 1
End While

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Mind Games Workout #1

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Declare X, Y, Z As Integer
For (X = 1; X < 4; X++)
Write Pass Number + X
For (Y = 1; Y < 10; Y+3)
Set Z = X + Y
Write X + + + Y + = + Z
End For(Y)
End For(X)

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

output

Pass Number 1

1 + 1 = 2

1 + 4 = 5

1 + 7 = 8

10

10

Pass Number 2

2 + 1 = 3

2 + 4 = 6

2 + 7 = 9

10

10

Pass Number 3

3 + 1 = 4

3 + 4 = 7

10

3 + 7 = 10

10

10

10

10

Mind Games: Workout # 2

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Count1

Count2

Pass Number 1

X = 2, Y = 3, Z = 6

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6
Declare X, Y, Z As Integer
Declare Count1 As Integer
3
3
9
Declare Count2 As Integer
4
3
9
Set Y = 3
4
3
12
Set Count1 = 1
5
3
12
Do
Set X = Count1 + 1
Set Count2 = 1
Write Pass Number + Count1
While Count2 <= Y
Set Z = Y * X
Write X = + X + , Y = + Y + , Z =
Set X = X + 1
Set Count2 = Count2 + 1
End While
Set Count1 = Count1 + 1
While Count1 < Y

output

X = 3, Y = 3, Z = 9
X = 4, Y = 3, Z = 12

And so on...

+ Z

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Mind
Games:
Workout #3

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Declare A, B, C As
Set A = 1
Write Cheers!
While A < 3
Set C = A
Write A
Set B = 1
While B < 4
Set C
Write
If (A

Integer

= C + A
C
== 1 AND C >= 4) Then
Write Lets do this some more!

Else
If (A == 2 AND C >= 8) Then
Write Who do we appreciate?
End If
End If
Set B = B + 1
End While
Set A = A + 1
End While
PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE

Mind
Games:
Workout #3
Follow
Along

output

Cheers!

Lets do this some more!

Who do we appreciate?

2
3

PRELUDE TO PROGRAMMING, 6TH EDITION BY ELIZABETH DRAKE