Programming Fundamentals
(CS 1021)
Repetition Structures
Instructor: Nawera Latif
5.2
Introduction to Loops: The while
Loop
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Introduction to Loops:
The while Loop
• Loop: a control structure that causes a
statement or statements to repeat
• General format of the while loop:
while (expression)
statement;
• statement; can also be a block of
statements enclosed in { }
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The while Loop – How It Works
while (expression)
statement;
• expression is evaluated
– if true, then statement is executed, and
expression is evaluated again
– if false, then the loop is finished and
program statements following statement
execute
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The Logic of a while Loop
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The while loop in Program 5-3
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How the while Loop in Program 5-
3 Lines 9 through 13 Works
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Flowchart of the while Loop in
Program 5-3
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The while Loop is a Pretest Loop
expression is evaluated before the
loop executes. The following loop will
never execute:
int number = 6;
while (number <= 5)
{
cout << "Hello\n";
number++;
}
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Watch Out for Infinite Loops
• The loop must contain code to make
expression become false
• Otherwise, the loop will have no way of
stopping
• Such a loop is called an infinite loop,
because it will repeat an infinite number of
times
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Example of an Infinite Loop
int number = 1;
while (number <= 5)
{
cout << "Hello\n";
}
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Sum of 1000 numbers
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Output
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output
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5.3
Using the while Loop for Input
Validation
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Using the while Loop for
Input Validation
• Input validation is the process of
inspecting data that is given to the
program as input and determining whether
it is valid.
• The while loop can be used to create input
routines that reject invalid data, and repeat
until valid data is entered.
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Using the while Loop for
Input Validation
• Here's the general approach, in
pseudocode:
Read an item of input.
While the input is invalid
Display an error message.
Read the input again.
End While
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Input Validation Example
cout << "Enter a number less than 10: ";
cin >> number;
while (number >= 10)
{
cout << "Invalid Entry!"
<< "Enter a number less than 10: ";
cin >> number;
}
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Flowchart for Input Validation
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Input Validation in Program 5-5
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5.4
Counters
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Counters
• Counter: a variable that is incremented or
decremented each time a loop repeats
• Can be used to control execution of the
loop (also known as the loop control
variable)
• Must be initialized before entering loop
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Output
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