Unit 4.1 - While Loops | Nighthawk Pages

4.1 While Loops

While loops run until the given condition is false. Format of loop below.

int index = 0; // iterating value
while (index < 5) { // condition, if this is false, the loop terminates
    System.out.println(index); // body code
    index++; // iterates the iterating value
}

# Python Version
i=0
while (i<5):
    print(i)
    i+=1

Explanation

in the above while loop:
- index is the incrementing variable
- index < 5 is the condition (once index < 5 is false, this loop breaks)
- System.out.println(i); is the body code that runs every time the loop iterates
- index++; is incrementing the incrementing variable

Do While Loops:

This type of while loop runs the block inside the do{} statement once, then iterates through the loop
this ensures that the code runs at least once

Example of Do While loop below

int i = 0; // iterating value
do { // this makes sure the code runs at least once
    System.out.println(i); // body code
    i++; // iterates the iterating value
} while (i < 5); // condition, if this is false, loop terminates

Explanation:

in the above loop:
- code inside of the do{} statement runs at least once, then keeps on running as long as the condition, i<5, is true.
- similarly to the normal while loop, there is body code, and there is an incrementing variable

IMPORTANT:

While loops to not have to have an incrementing variable, for example, you can have a loop that iterates as long as there are items present in a list

ArrayList<Integer> list = new ArrayList<>();
list.add(10);
list.add(20);
list.add(30);
list.add(40);

System.out.println(list + " before loop!!");
while (!list.isEmpty()) {
    System.out.println("Element: " + list.remove(0));
}
System.out.println(list + " after loop!!");

[10, 20, 30, 40] before loop!!
Element: 10
Element: 20
Element: 30
Element: 40
[] after loop!!

Fun While Loop Hack:

find and fix the missing increment in the while loop

int i = 0;
while (i < 5) {
    i += 1;
    System.out.println(i);
}

Adjust Speed: 2
Adjust Size: 15

Iteration: 0

Current Velocity: 2, 2