Overview of while Loop
The while
loop in Java is an iterative construct that executes a block of code as long as a specified condition evaluates to true. This loop is fundamental when the number of iterations cannot be determined beforehand, making it versatile for various programming scenarios.
Syntax of while Loop
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In this syntax, the condition is checked before the loop commences. If the condition evaluates to true, the loop body is executed; the cycle continues until the condition becomes false.
Example
Consider the following example:
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Here, the loop starts with i
equal to 1 and prints i
as long as i
is less than or equal to 5. The variable i
is incremented after each iteration, ensuring that the loop eventually terminates. This mechanism is crucial for preventing infinite loops, which can occur if the condition never becomes false.
Importance of the while Loop
Using a while loop offers flexibility when the number of iterations isn't predefined. It is particularly useful in real-world applications, such as reading input until a stop condition set by the user.