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Python loops

Here is a clear, complete, and exam-ready explanation of Loops in Python, perfect for BCA/MCA/B.Tech students.


Loops in Python

Loops are used to execute a block of code repeatedly until a condition is met.
Python provides two main types of loops:

  1. for loop
  2. while loop

Additionally, there are loop control statements:

  • break
  • continue
  • pass

Let’s discuss all of these in detail.


1. for Loop in Python

A for loop is used to iterate over a sequence (list, string, tuple, dictionary, set) or any iterable object.

Syntax:

for variable in sequence:
    statements

Example 1: Loop through a list

fruits = ["apple", "banana", "mango"]
for item in fruits:
    print(item)

Output:

apple
banana
mango

Example 2: Loop through a string

for ch in "Python":
    print(ch)

Example 3: Using range() function

range() generates a sequence of numbers.

for i in range(5):
    print(i)

Output:

0 1 2 3 4

Example:

for i in range(1, 6):
    print(i)

Output:

1 2 3 4 5

Example 4: Step value

for i in range(1, 10, 2):
    print(i)

Output:

1 3 5 7 9

2. while Loop in Python

A while loop repeats a block of code as long as the condition is True.

Syntax:

while condition:
    statements

Example 1: Basic while loop

i = 1
while i <= 5:
    print(i)
    i += 1

Output:

1 2 3 4 5

Example 2: Infinite loop

(Only for demonstration — avoid in real programs)

while True:
    print("Running endlessly")

You can stop it by pressing Ctrl + C.


Example 3: Countdown

n = 5
while n > 0:
    print(n)
    n -= 1

3. Loop Control Statements

Python provides three keywords to control loops:


1. break

Stops the loop completely.

Example:

for i in range(10):
    if i == 5:
        break
    print(i)

Output:

0 1 2 3 4

2. continue

Skips the current iteration and goes to the next one.

Example:

for i in range(6):
    if i == 3:
        continue
    print(i)

Output:

0 1 2 4 5

3. pass

Does nothing — used as a placeholder.

Example:

for i in range(5):
    if i == 2:
        pass  # No operation
    print(i)

4. Nested Loops

A loop inside another loop.

Example: Multiplication table

for i in range(1, 4):
    for j in range(1, 4):
        print(i, "*", j, "=", i*j)

5. else Block with Loops

Python allows an else block after a loop.
The else part executes only if the loop completes normally (no break).

Example:

for i in range(5):
    print(i)
else:
    print("Loop finished")

Example with break:

for i in range(5):
    if i == 3:
        break
else:
    print("This will not execute")

6. Practical Examples

Example 1: Sum of first 10 numbers

total = 0
for i in range(1, 11):
    total += i
print(total)

Example 2: Reverse a number using while loop

num = 1234
rev = 0

while num > 0:
    rev = rev*10 + num%10
    num //= 10

print("Reversed:", rev)

Example 3: Print even numbers using for loop

for i in range(1, 21):
    if i % 2 == 0:
        print(i)

Summary

Loop TypeUse
for loopIterate through sequences
while loopRepeat until condition becomes false
breakExit loop
continueSkip iteration
passDo nothing (placeholder)
else with loopExecutes if loop ends normally