Getting Started with Python — Looping

Looping is an essential part of programming, and it allows you to repeat a block of code multiple times. In Python, there are two types of loops: the for loop and the while loop. In this article, we'll cover the basics of looping in Python and provide code examples for each type of loop.

For Loop

A for loop is used for iterating over a sequence of values. The sequence can be a list, a tuple, a dictionary, a set, or a string. Here's an example of a for loop:

# loop over a list of numbers
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
for number in numbers:
    print(number)
    
# loop over a string
string = "hello"
for character in string:
    print(character)
    
# loop over a range of numbers
for number in range(1, 6):
    print(number)

In the first example, we loop over a list of numbers and print each number. In the second example, we loop over a string and print each character. In the third example, we loop over a range of numbers from 1 to 5 and print each number.

While Loop

A while loop is used to repeatedly execute a block of code as long as a certain condition is true. Here's an example of a while loop:

# loop while a condition is true
count = 0
while count < 5:
    print(count)
    count += 1
    
# loop until a condition is true
count = 0
while True:
    print(count)
    count += 1
    if count == 5:
        break

In the first example, we loop while the count variable is less than 5, and we print the value of count in each iteration. In the second example, we loop infinitely until the count variable is equal to 5, at which point we break out of the loop.

Nested Loops

Nested loops are loops that are placed inside another loop. Here’s an example of a nested loop:

# loop over a 2D list
grid = [[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6], [7, 8, 9]]
for row in grid:
    for number in row:
        print(number)

In this example, we loop over a 2D list and print each number. The outer loop iterates over the rows of the list, while the inner loop iterates over the numbers in each row.

Conclusion

Looping is a powerful feature in Python, and it allows you to repeat a block of code multiple times. In this article, we covered the basics of looping in Python, including the for loop, the while loop, and nested loops. By using loops in your Python programs, you can automate repetitive tasks and make your code more efficient.

Part 5: Getting Started with Python — if, else, and elif Statements | by TechwithJulles | Feb, 2023 | Medium

Part 7: Getting Started with Python — Functions | by TechwithJulles | Feb, 2023 | Medium

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