• Differentiate between the types of loops.
• Recall the syntax for each loop type.
• Modify the execution of a loop with break or continue.

Loops are programming statements that allow for segments of code to be executed repeatedly, as long as a condition is met.

Source: DotNetTutorials

There are three different types of loops in C#:

• while loop
• for loop
• do while loop

A while loop executes a block of code while a given condition remains true, which is tested before executing the block.

The following is the syntax for a while loop:

while (condition)
{
    //Code to be executed for as long as condition remains true.
}

Once the condition is tested and the result is false, the loop's body is skipped and the program will execute what comes after the while loop.

Provided below is an example of a while loop that counts down from the number 5.

int num = 5;

Console.WriteLine("Let the countdown begin! 5...");
while (num > 0)
{
    num--;
    Console.WriteLine(num);
}

Contrary to a while loop, where the number of times its body is executed is not necessarily known, a for loop will always know the number of times it has to execute its contents.

That is, for loops have a defined number of repetitions.

The following is the syntax for a for loop:

//In C#, a for loop is declared with an initial value, a condition that said value must meet and an increase value by which the initial value is increased every run of the loop.
for ( initial value; condition; increase )
{
    //Code to be executed until condition is met.
}

The initial value and increment value are usually numerical, with conditions being commonly established comparing the value that is increasing with a goal value.

Provided below is an example of a for loop that outputs numbers within a range of 0 to 5.

for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++)
{
  Console.WriteLine(i);
}

Do...while loops are similar to while loops, except that the loop will check the condition at the end of the loop, rather than at the start. This ensures that the code block is executed at least one time.

The following is the syntax for a do...while loop:

do
{
    //Code to be executed
} while (condition);

If the condition is true, the loop jump backs to do after running, and executes its body again. This process will repeat until the condition is tested and results in false.

Provided below is an example of a do...while loop that outputs a value i starting at 0 so long as i is less than 5.

int i = 0;
do
{
  Console.WriteLine(i);
  i++;
}
while (i < 5);

However, there are also statements that allow us to control or change the execution of a loop despite its initial conditions.

In C# we can use:

• break which terminates the loop (or switch) statement.
• continue which causes the loop to skip part of its body and retest the condition before moving on.

Provided below is an example of using a break statement to terminate a loop when the value of i is equal to 5.

for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
{
  if (i == 5)
  {
    break;
  }
  Console.WriteLine(i);
}

Provided below is an example of using a continue statement to skip the iteration for when the value of i is 5.

for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
{
  if (i == 5)
  {
    continue;
  }
  Console.WriteLine(i);
}

One factor to be aware of is the possibility of loops becoming infinite loops. An infinite loop occurs when one of the pre-established conditions never become false. Although this may sound as an error, there are cases where a continuous infinite loop can be used!

Here are two examples:

while(true)
{

}

Since the condition is not a variable but rather the boolean value of true, this while loop would never stop running.

for ( ; ; )
{

}

Leaving the conditional expressions of the for loop empty leads to the computer assuming them to be true, and will continue executing endlessly.

Quiz

We've identified the following resources to provide additional context and learning for the content reviewed in this lesson. We encourage you to review the material below and explore additional related topics.

• C#: What are Loops?