Loops

Loops in C:

Loops are fundamental control structures in the C programming language, allowing you to execute a block of code repeatedly based on a specified condition. C provides several types of loops, each with its own use cases and characteristics.


Types of Loops:

  • 1. While Loop: The while loop is used when you want to execute a block of code as long as a certain condition is true. It checks the condition before each iteration.
  • 2. For Loop: The for loop is a versatile loop that allows you to specify an initialization, a condition, and an increment or decrement. It's commonly used for iterating over sequences like arrays.
  • 3. Do-While Loop: The do-while loop is similar to the while loop but guarantees that the block of code is executed at least once, as it checks the condition after the first iteration.

Loop Control Statements:

In addition to the basic loop types, C provides control statements that allow you to modify the flow of loops:

  • 1. Break Statement: The break statement is used to exit a loop prematurely, based on a certain condition, without completing all iterations.
  • 2. Continue Statement: The continue statement is used to skip the current iteration of a loop and proceed to the next iteration, based on a certain condition.

Common Loop Use Cases:

  • 1. Iterating Over Arrays: For loops are frequently used to iterate over the elements of an array, making it easy to perform operations on each element.
  • 2. Input Validation: Loops can be used to repeatedly prompt the user for input until valid data is provided.
  • 3. Menu-Driven Programs: Loops are useful for creating menu-driven programs where the user can select different options and perform actions based on their choices.

Loop Best Practices:

When using loops in C, it's essential to ensure that the loop condition is correctly defined to avoid infinite loops. Also, consider loop efficiency and choose the appropriate loop type for the task at hand.