In Programming, sometimes there is a need to perform some operation more than once or (say) n number of times. Loops come into use when we need to repeatedly execute a block of statements.
For example: Suppose we want to print “Hello World” 10 times. This can be done in two ways as shown below:
Manual Method (Iterative Method)
Manually we have to write cout for the C++ statement 10 times. Let’s say you have to write it 20 times (it would surely take more time to write 20 statements) now imagine you have to write it 100 times, it would be really hectic to re-write the same statement again and again. So, here loops have their role.
C++
// C++ program to Demonstrate the need of loops
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
cout << "Hello World\n";
cout << "Hello World\n";
cout << "Hello World\n";
cout << "Hello World\n";
cout << "Hello World\n";
return 0;
}
Output
Hello WorldHello WorldHello WorldHello WorldHello World
Time complexity: O(1)
Space complexity: O(1)
Using Loops
In Loop, the statement needs to be written only once and the loop will be executed 10 times as shown below. In computer programming, a loop is a sequence of instructions that is repeated until a certain condition is reached.
There are mainly two types of loops:
- Entry Controlled loops: In this type of loop, the test condition is tested before entering the loop body. For Loop and While Loop is entry-controlled loops.
- Exit Controlled Loops: In this type of loop the test condition is tested or evaluated at the end of the loop body. Therefore, the loop body will execute at least once, irrespective of whether the test condition is true or false. the do-while loop is exit controlled loop.
| S.No. | Loop Type and Description |
|---|---|
1. | while loop – First checks the condition, then executes the body. |
2. | for loop – firstly initializes, then, condition check, execute body, update. |
3. | do-while loop – firstly, execute the body then condition check |
For Loop-
A For loop is a repetition control structure that allows us to write a loop that is executed a specific number of times. The loop enables us to perform n number of steps together in one line.
Syntax:
for (initialization expr; test expr; update expr)
{
// body of the loop
// statements we want to execute
}
Explanation of the Syntax:
- Initialization statement: This statement gets executed only once, at the beginning of the for loop. You can enter a declaration of multiple variables of one type, such as int x=0, a=1, b=2. These variables are only valid in the scope of the loop. Variable defined before the loop with the same name are hidden during execution of the loop.
- Condition: This statement gets evaluated ahead of each execution of the loop body, and abort the execution if the given condition get false.
- Iteration execution: This statement gets executed after the loop body, ahead of the next condition evaluated, unless the for loop is aborted in the body (by break, goto, return or an exception being thrown.)
NOTES:
- The initialization and increment statements can perform operations unrelated to the condition statement, or nothing at all – if you wish to do. But the good practice is to only perform operations directly relevant to the loop.
- A variable declared in the initialization statement is visible only inside the scope of the for loop and will be released out of the loop.
- Don’t forget that the variable which was declared in the initialization statement can be modified during the loop, as well as the variable checked in the condition.
Example1:
for(int i = 0; i < n; i++)
{
// BODY
}
Example2:
for(auto element:arr)
{
//BODY
}
Flow Diagram of for loop:
Example1:
C++
// C++ program to Demonstrate for loop
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
cout << "Hello World\n";
}
return 0;
}
Output
Hello WorldHello WorldHello WorldHello WorldHello World
Time complexity: O(1)
Space complexity: O(1)
Example2:
C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int arr[] {40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100};
for (auto element: arr){
cout << element << " ";
}
return 0;
}
Output
40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Time complexity: O(n) n is the size of array.
Space complexity: O(n) n is the size of array.
For loop can also be valid in the given form:-
C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
for (int i = 0, j = 10, k = 20; (i + j + k) < 100;
j++, k--, i += k) {
cout << i << " " << j << " " << k << "\n";
}
return 0;
}
Output
0 10 2019 11 1937 12 1854 13 17
Time complexity: O(1)
Space complexity: O(1)
Example of hiding declared variables before a loop is:
C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
int i = 99;
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
cout << i << "\t";
}
cout << "\n" << i;
return 0;
}
Output
0 1 2 3 4 99
Time complexity: O(1)
Space complexity: O(1)
But if you want to use the already declared variable and not hide it, then must not redeclare that variable.
For Example:
C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
int i = 99;
for (i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
cout << i << " ";
}
cout << "\n" << i;
return 0;
}
Output
0 1 2 3 4 5
Time complexity: O(1)
Space complexity: O(1)
The For loop can be used to iterating through the elements in the STL container(e.g., Vector, etc). here we have to use iterator.
For Example:
C++
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
vector<int> v = { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 };
for (vector<int>::iterator it = v.begin();
it != v.end(); it++) {
cout << *it << "\t";
}
return 0;
}
Output
1 2 3 4 5
Time complexity: O(n) n is the size of vector.
Space complexity: O(n) n is the size of vector.
While Loop-
While studying for loop we have seen that the number of iterations is known beforehand, i.e. the number of times the loop body is needed to be executed is known to us. while loops are used in situations where we do not know the exact number of iterations of the loop beforehand. The loop execution is terminated on the basis of the test conditions.
We have already stated that a loop mainly consists of three statements – initialization expression, test expression, and update expression. The syntax of the three loops – For, while, and do while mainly differs in the placement of these three statements.
Syntax:
initialization expression;
while (test_expression)
{
// statements
update_expression;
}
Flow Diagram of while loop:
Example:
C++
// C++ program to Demonstrate while loop
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
// initialization expression
int i = 1;
// test expression
while (i < 6) {
cout << "Hello World\n";
// update expression
i++;
}
return 0;
}
Output
Hello WorldHello WorldHello WorldHello WorldHello World
Time complexity: O(1)
Space complexity: O(1)
It’s explanation is same as that of the for loop.
Do-while loop
In Do-while loops also the loop execution is terminated on the basis of test conditions. The main difference between a do-while loop and the while loop is in the do-while loop the condition is tested at the end of the loop body, i.e do-while loop is exit controlled whereas the other two loops are entry-controlled loops.
Note: In a do-while loop, the loop body will execute at least once irrespective of the test condition.
Syntax:
initialization expression;
do
{
// statements
update_expression;
} while (test_expression);
Note: Notice the semi – colon(“;”)in the end of loop.
Flow Diagram of the do-while loop:
Example:
C++
// C++ program to Demonstrate do-while loop
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
int i = 2; // Initialization expression
do {
// loop body
cout << "Hello World\n";
// update expression
i++;
} while (i < 1); // test expression
return 0;
}
Output
Hello World
Time complexity: O(1)
Space complexity: O(1)
In the above program, the test condition (i<1) evaluates to false. But still, as the loop is an exit – controlled the loop body will execute once.
What about an Infinite Loop?
An infinite loop (sometimes called an endless loop ) is a piece of coding that lacks a functional exit so that it repeats indefinitely. An infinite loop occurs when a condition is always evaluated to be true. Usually, this is an error.
Using For loop:
C++
// C++ program to demonstrate infinite loops
// using for and while loop
// Uncomment the sections to see the output
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
int i;
// This is an infinite for loop as the condition
// expression is blank
for (;;) {
cout << "This loop will run forever.\n";
}
// This is an infinite for loop as the condition
// given in while loop will keep repeating infinitely
/*
while (i != 0)
{
i-- ;
cout << "This loop will run forever.\n";
}
*/
// This is an infinite for loop as the condition
// given in while loop is "true"
/*
while (true)
{
cout << "This loop will run forever.\n";
}
*/
}
Output:
This loop will run forever.
This loop will run forever.
...................
Time complexity: O(infinity) as the loop will run forever.
Space complexity: O(1)
Using While loop:
C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
while (1)
cout << "This loop will run forever.\n";
return 0;
}
Output:
This loop will run forever.
This loop will run forever.
...................
Time complexity: O(infinity) as the loop will run forever.
Space complexity: O(1)
Using the Do-While loop:
C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main()
{
do {
cout << "This loop will run forever.\n";
} while (1);
return 0;
}
Output:
This loop will run forever.
This loop will run forever.
...................
Time complexity: O(infinity) as the loop will run forever.
Space complexity: O(1)
Now let us take a look at decrementing loops.
Sometimes we need to decrement a variable with a looping condition.
Using for loop
C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
for(int i=5;i>=0;i--){
cout<<i<<" ";
}
return 0;
}
Output
5 4 3 2 1 0
Time complexity: O(1)
Space complexity: O(1)
Using while loop.
C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
//first way is to decrement in the condition itself
int i=5;
while(i--){
cout<<i<<" ";
}
cout<<endl;
//second way is to decrement inside the loop till i is 0
i=5;
while(i){
cout<<i<<" ";
i--;
}
return 0;
}
Output
4 3 2 1 0 5 4 3 2 1
Time complexity: O(1)
Space complexity: O(1)
Using do-while loop
C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int i=5;
do{
cout<<i<<" ";
}while(i--);
}
Output
5 4 3 2 1 0
Time complexity: O(1)
Space complexity: O(1)
C++
#include <iostream>
#include <vector>
using namespace std;
int main() {
// For loop
for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
cout << "For loop: The value of i is: " << i << endl;
}
// While loop
int j = 1;
while (j <= 5) {
cout << "While loop: The value of j is: " << j << endl;
j++;
}
// Do-while loop
int k = 1;
do {
cout << "Do-while loop: The value of k is: " << k << endl;
k++;
} while (k <= 5);
// Range-based for loop
vector<int> myVector = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
for (int element : myVector) {
cout << "Range-based for loop: The value of element is: " << element << endl;
}
return 0;
}
Output
For loop: The value of i is: 1For loop: The value of i is: 2For loop: The value of i is: 3For loop: The value of i is: 4For loop: The value of i is: 5While loop: The value of j is: 1While loop: The value of j is: 2While loop: The value of j is: 3While loop: The value of j is: 4While loop: The value of j is: 5Do-while loop: The value of k is: 1Do-while loop: The value of k is: 2Do-while loop: The value of k is: 3Do-while loop: The value of k is: 4Do-while loop: The value of k is: 5Range-based for loop: The value of element is: 1Range-based for loop: The value of element is: 2Range-based for loop: The value of element is: 3Range-based for loop: The value of element is: 4Range-based for loop: The value of element is: 5
C++
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
// for loop example
cout << "For loop:" << endl;
for(int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
cout << i << endl;
}
// while loop example
cout << "While loop:" << endl;
int j = 0;
while(j < 5) {
cout << j << endl;
j++;
}
// do-while loop example
cout << "Do-while loop:" << endl;
int k = 0;
do {
cout << k << endl;
k++;
} while(k < 5);
return 0;
}
Output
For loop:01234While loop:01234Do-while loop:01234
Advantages :
- High performance: C++ is a compiled language that can produce efficient and high-performance code. It allows low-level memory manipulation and direct access to system resources, making it ideal for applications that require high performance, such as game development, operating systems, and scientific computing.
- Object-oriented programming: C++ supports object-oriented programming, allowing developers to write modular, reusable, and maintainable code. It provides features such as inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and abstraction that make code easier to understand and modify.
- Wide range of applications: C++ is a versatile language that can be used for a wide range of applications, including desktop applications, games, mobile apps, embedded systems, and web development. It is also used extensively in the development of operating systems, system software, and device drivers.
- Standardized language: C++ is a standardized language, with a specification maintained by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization). This ensures that C++ code written on one platform can be easily ported to another platform, making it a popular choice for cross-platform development.
- Large community and resources: C++ has a large and active community of developers and users, with many resources available online, including documentation, tutorials, libraries, and frameworks. This makes it easy to find help and support when needed.
- Interoperability with other languages: C++ can be easily integrated with other programming languages, such as C, Python, and Java, allowing developers to leverage the strengths of different languages in their applications.
Overall, C++ is a powerful and flexible language that offers many advantages for developers who need to create high-performance, reliable, and scalable applications.
More Advanced Looping Techniques
- Range-Based for Loop in C++
- for each Loop in C++
Important Points
- Use for a loop when a number of iterations are known beforehand, i.e. the number of times the loop body is needed to be executed is known.
- Use while loops, where an exact number of iterations is not known but the loop termination condition, is known.
- Use do while loop if the code needs to be executed at least once like in Menu-driven programs
Related Articles:
- What happens if loop till Maximum of Signed and Unsigned in C/C++?
- Quiz on Loops
