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C Programming Tutorial

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C Programming

Loops in C

Loops in C are used to execute a block of code multiple times based on a condition.

"Loops are the backbone of automation in programming, reducing code redundancy and improving efficiency."

What Are Loops?

Loops allow us to execute a block of code multiple times until a certain condition is met. C supports three types of loops:

Types of Loops in C

Loop Type Description Example
for loop Executes a block of code a fixed number of times. for (i = 1; i <= 5; i++)
while loop Executes a block of code as long as the condition is true. while (i <= 5)
do-while loop Executes the code block at least once, then repeats while the condition is true. do { ... } while (i <= 5);

1. for Loop

The for loop is used when the number of iterations is known beforehand.

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
	printf("Iteration %d\n", i);
}
return 0;
}

2. while Loop

The while loop is used when the number of iterations is not known in advance.

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
int i = 1;
while (i <= 5) {
	printf("Iteration %d\n", i);
	i++;
}
return 0;
}

3. do-while Loop

The do-while loop ensures that the code runs at least once before checking the condition.

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
int i = 1;
do {
	printf("Iteration %d\n", i);
	i++;
} while (i <= 5);
return 0;
}

Loop Control Statements

Loop control statements alter the flow of a loop:

  • break: Terminates the loop immediately.
  • continue: Skips the current iteration and moves to the next.

Example: Using break

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
	if (i == 5) {
		break; // Exit loop when i equals 5
	}
	printf("Iteration %d\n", i);
}
return 0;
}

Example: Using continue

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
	if (i == 3) {
		continue; // Skip iteration when i equals 3
	}
	printf("Iteration %d\n", i);
}
return 0;
}

Comparison of Loops

Feature for Loop while Loop do-while Loop
Usage When the number of iterations is known When the number of iterations is unknown When the loop must execute at least once
Condition Check Before entering the loop Before entering the loop After executing the loop body
Guaranteed Execution No No Yes

Best Practices for Using Loops

  • Use for loops when the number of iterations is known.
  • Use while loops when the number of iterations depends on a condition.
  • Use do-while loops when the loop must run at least once.
  • Avoid infinite loops by ensuring loop conditions change.
  • Use break and continue wisely to control loop execution.

Conclusion

Loops are essential for automating repetitive tasks in C programming. Understanding different loop types helps in writing efficient and clean code! 🚀