While Loop in Python [With Syntax and Examples]

One of the popular high-level programming languages “python” has been at the forefront for its ease of use and wide applications. Python is one of the most popular programming languages for developers. Applications of python include system scripting, development of software, web development, etc. So, if you are a Python beginner, the best thing you can do is work on some real-time Python project ideas.

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There are several reasons why python is chosen over other languages.

• It can be widely used in different platforms like Windows, Linux, etc.
• The syntax of the python statements is simple.
•  Developers are able to write codes consisting of fewer lines.
• Execution of a program takes place once it is written.

In this article, we will be focusing on an important concept of python, i.e. the working of the while loop.

Loops 

The programming statements follow a sequence of execution steps. However, there might be certain conditions when instead of following the next statement, the program has to follow the previous codes. This is where loop comes to play where repeated writing of the codes is not required. Specifically mentioning the segment of codes within a loop, the program comes to know that the following part has to be executed again. The process is iterative unless and until a stop signal is reached. Several types of loops are offered by the python programming language for repeating the block of codes several times. 

What is a While Loop?

Python, a popular programming language known for its simplicity and readability, offers various control flow structures to help developers create powerful and efficient programs. One such structure is the while loop. A while loop is a control flow structure that permits a block of code to be executed repeatedly as long as a specified condition evaluates to true. The loop continues until the condition becomes false. The while loop is useful when you want to repeat a specific task until a particular condition is met.

Python loops

Python loops are mostly used as it simplifies the process of writing codes. If a block of statements has to run for ten times, then writing the exact code for ten times, the whole process can be simplified in a few statements for a finite number of times. 

Python loops include the python for loop, while loop in python, and the python do-while and the. In the following article the latter two concepts will be discussed for a better understanding of the use of loops.

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Advantages of Using While Loop in Python

1. Flexibility: One of the primary advantages of using while loop in Python is its flexibility. The syntax allows for a wide range of operations within the loop, such as comparison operators, arithmetic operators, and assignment statements. This makes it easier to create complex programs that can be used for various  purposes.
2. Iteration: Another advantage of a while loop in Python is its ability to iterate over a collection of data or items. This is especially beneficial when dealing with large datasets where certain elements need to be processed one at a time or several times until all the elements have been processed.
3. Error Handling: With while loops, error handling is much easier than other types of loops. The syntax specifically makes it easy to identify Python loops programs errors and handle them accordingly, making the development process much smoother.
4. Conditional Statements: While loop in Python also allows for conditional statements to be written within the loop itself. This is very useful when programming complex tasks that require certain conditions that have to be met before specific operations are performed. For example, a while loop can check whether or not an input value is valid before performing any calculations with it.
5. Efficiency: Finally, while loops are often more efficient than other types of loops due to their simplicity and flexibility in terms of coding complexity. Since they allow for multiple operations to be performed within one statement, this helps reduce the overall time taken for execution compared to other loops.

By understanding the advantages of using while loop in Python, developers can better create efficient and effective programs that can be used for various tasks. With its flexibility and powerful iteration capabilities, it is no wonder why while loops are so popular among developers. It allows you to write concise, efficient code that is easy to read and maintain.

Overall, utilizing while loop in Python has many benefits, making it an ideal and best choice for any programming task. From its flexibility to its error handling capabilities, while loops make creating complex programs much easier than other types of loops. With the right knowledge and skill set, anyone can master the syntax and begin writing their programs with ease.

Example Usage of While Loop syntax in Python:

To better understand the Python loops programs, let’s consider an example where we want to print the numbers from 1 to 5. We can achieve this using a while loop as follows:

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

In this example, we initialize a variable count to 1. The while loop checks if the count is less than or equal to 5. As long as this particular condition holds true, the code block inside the loop is then executed. The current value of the count is printed, and then the count is incremented by 1 using the += operator. This process continues until the count becomes 6, at which point the condition becomes false, and the loop terminates.

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Python while loop

The while loop is used for the repeated execution of a set of statements until a specific condition is met. A condition has to be specified in using the while loop. Once the condition becomes false, the iterative process stops, and the next line of code is executed.  

In conditions where the number of iterations is not known, the while loop can be used.

The python while loop may also be termed as a pre-tested loop. Without a condition, the loop will be executed infinitely as there are no specific times mentioned.

Syntax of a while loop 

while condition:

     statements

Example of while loop in python

• A simple while loop

Input:

i = 1
while i < 4:
print(i)
i += 1

Output: 1
2
3

• Using the break statement: With the use of the break statement, the execution of the loop can be stopped even when the while condition is true.
• Example: 

Input: i = 1
while i < 4:
  print(i)
  if (i == 3):
     break
   i += 1

Output: 1
2
3

• Using the continue statement: Using the continue statement can stop the iteration process and continue with the next step
• Example: 

Input: i = 1
while i < 5:
 i += 1
   if i == 4:
    continue
  print(i)

Output: 2
 3
 5

• Using the else statement: The while loop in python is used for the execution of statements when the given condition is true. The else block of statement is executed only when the condition of while becomes false. Even if the user is using the break statement, the else block won’t work, as it breaks out of the loop, but the whole condition is still true. Therefore, until and unless the condition of while becomes false, the else statement cannot be executed.

Syntax of a python while loop

while condition:
      # statements
else:
      # statements

• Example: 

Input: i = 2
while i < 5:
  print(i)
   i += 1
else:
   print("while condition is not satisfied")

Output: 2
3
4

while condition is not satisfied

Python do-while loop

The do-while loop in python is also known as the post-tested loop. In this situation, the condition is checked only after the execution of the code. Python doesn’t contain the do-while loop, but the code can be written to emulate the do-while condition. 

The difference between the do-while loop and that of the while loop is that in the case of the while loop, the statements might not even be executed once if the required condition is not met. However, in the do-while loop, the loop will run once, only then the condition will be checked.

The syntax of a python do-while loop is shown below

Figure1: The general syntax of a python do-while loop

Syntax: do {  
      #statement  
} while (condition); 

Termination of a do-while loop occurs when the condition of the loop turns out to be false or upon the execution of a break statement.

Example

Input: i = 1  

while True:  
print(i)  
i = i + 1  
if(i > 5):  
break

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Conclusion

The while loop in python and the python do-while loop are important concepts of looping in python programming. Understanding the concepts is crucial as they will lead to the building up of complex programs to solve real day problems. Python being the vital part of machine learning, artificial intelligence, data analyst, any person dreaming to become experts in these fields have to grasp the knowledge at an early step.

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