In programming, a loop is a control structure that allows you to repeat a block of code multiple times. It’s like giving your program a set of instructions to follow over and over again until a specific condition is met. Loops are incredibly useful for automating repetitive tasks and handling situations where you need to process multiple items or perform an action several times.
Why Use Loops?
Imagine you need to print numbers from 1 to 10. Instead of writing ten lines of code, you can use a loop to do it with just a few lines. Loops help make your code cleaner, more efficient, and easier to manage.
Types of Loops
for
Loop- Best when you know in advance how many times you need to repeat something.
- Example: Printing numbers from 1 to 10.
while
Loop- Ideal when you don’t know in advance how many times you need to repeat something.
- Example: Continuously asking for user input until a valid response is given
do-while
Loop- Similar to the
while
loop, but it guarantees that the code block will run at least once. - Example: Asking the user to enter a password and validating it at least once.
- Similar to the