Loops are used to automate repetitive tasks in programming. For example, if we want to print numbers from 1 to 10, we could write:
python Copy code print(1) print(2) print(3) # ... up to 10
But this approach is inefficient, especially if we need to print up to 100 or 1000! Instead, we use loops to repeat the same code multiple times without manually writing each line.
2. The while Loop
The while loop repeats a block of code as long as a condition is True. The condition is checked before each iteration, so if it’s False initially, the loop will not run at all.
Syntax:
python Copy code while condition: # Code to execute repeatedly
Example:
python Copy code # This program prints numbers from 1 to 5 i = 1 while i <= 5: print(i) i += 1 # Increases i by 1 each time the loop runs
Explanation:
• i = 1 is the starting point.
• The loop checks if i <= 5 is True. If yes, it executes the code inside the loop. • Each time, i increases by 1 (i += 1), so eventually i becomes greater than 5, ending the loop. 3. The for Loop
The for loop is best used when we know how many times we want to repeat a block of code or when we want to iterate over a collection like a list, string, or range of numbers.
Syntax:
python Copy code for variable in sequence: # Code to execute repeatedly
Example:
python Copy code # This program prints each fruit in the list fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"] for fruit in fruits: print(fruit)
Explanation:
• fruits is a list containing three items.
• The for loop assigns each item in fruits to the variable fruit and prints it.
Using range() with for Loops:
The range() function is often used with for loops when we need to repeat a task a certain number of times.
python Copy code # Prints numbers from 1 to 5 for i in range(1, 6): print(i)
range(1, 6) generates numbers from 1 up to (but not including) 6.
4. The else Statement with Loops
The else statement can be used with loops. It runs only if the loop completes all iterations without being interrupted by a break statement.
Example:
python Copy code for i in range(5): print(i) else: print("Loop completed without a break.")
• The else statement here will execute after the for loop finishes, since there’s no break in the loop.
5. The continue Statement
The continue statement is used to skip the current iteration and move to the next one. It’s helpful when we want to skip certain values or conditions within a loop.
Example:
python Copy code for i in range(1, 6): if i == 3: continue # Skip the rest of the loop when i is 3 print(i)
Explanation:
• This loop prints 1, 2, 4, and 5. When i is 3, continue causes the loop to skip print(i) for that iteration.
6. The break Statement
The break statement is used to exit a loop immediately, regardless of the loop’s condition. It’s useful when we want to stop a loop early based on a condition.
Example:
python Copy code for i in range(1, 6): if i == 3: break # Exit the loop when i is 3 print(i)
Explanation:
• This loop will print 1 and 2, then stop completely when i is 3 because of the break statement.
Combining Loops with break, continue, and else
These statements allow us to control the flow of a loop in powerful ways, making it possible to handle complex conditions and control when the loop should stop or skip an iteration.
Evaluation Questions These questions are designed to test your understanding of loops and control flow statements. Try writing Python programs to solve each question.
1. Using while Loop (2 Marks)
• Write a Python program that uses a while loop to print numbers from 10 down to 1.
Hint: Start with i = 10 and decrement i each time in the loop until i is less than 1.
2. Using for Loop (3 Marks)
• Write a Python program that prints each character in the string "Hello World" on a new line using a for loop.
Hint: Treat the string as a sequence of characters and iterate over it.
3. Using else with Loops (3 Marks)
• Write a Python program that iterates through numbers 1 to 5 using a for loop. If the loop completes without encountering a break, print "Loop completed successfully."
Hint: The else statement runs if the loop is not interrupted by break.
4. Using continue (3 Marks)
• Write a Python program that prints all numbers from 1 to 10, but skips the numbers that are divisible by 3. Use the continue statement.
Hint: Use if i % 3 == 0 to check divisibility and continue to skip those numbers.
5. Using break (4 Marks)
• Write a Python program that asks the user to enter numbers. The program should stop asking for input when the user enters a negative number. Use the break statement to exit the loop.
Hint: Use an infinite loop (while True) and break out when you receive a negative number.
Expected Learning Outcomes
By the end of these exercises, you should:
• Understand the purpose and usage of while and for loops.
• Know how to control the flow of a loop with continue and break. • Be familiar with using else with loops. • Be able to apply loops to solve practical problems in Python.
Feel free to experiment with these concepts to deepen your understanding of loops in Python.
Replies To Critics Author(s) : Imre Lakatos Source: PSA: Proceedings of The Biennial Meeting of The Philosophy of Science Association, 1970, Vol. 1970 (1970), Pp. 174-182 Published By: Springer
Replies To Critics Author(s) : Imre Lakatos Source: PSA: Proceedings of The Biennial Meeting of The Philosophy of Science Association, 1970, Vol. 1970 (1970), Pp. 174-182 Published By: Springer
