top

Search

Java Tutorial

.

UpGrad

Java Tutorial

Loops in Java

Overview

In Java programming, loops play a crucial role in controlling the flow of execution by allowing repetitive tasks to be performed efficiently. By using loops, you can iterate over collections, repeat statements based on certain conditions, and execute code blocks a specific number of times. In this article, we will explore the various types of loops in Java with examples, including the while loop, do while loop, for loop, and for-each loop. By the end, you will have a solid understanding of each loop construct and how to utilize it effectively in your Java programs. 

Types of Loops in Java

1. The While Loop:

The while loop in Java is a pre-test loop in Java. It checks the condition before executing the loop body. If the condition is true, the loop body is executed, and then the condition is checked again. This process continues until the condition is evaluated as false. The while loop is suitable when the number of iterations is uncertain or when you want to repeatedly execute a block of code based on a specific condition. The general syntax of a while loop is as follows:

Syntax:

Example:

Output:

2. The Do-While Loop:

The do while loop in Java is a post-test loop in Java. Before checking the condition, it runs the loop's body. The process continues if the condition is satisfied, and the loop body is run once more. Until the condition is evaluated as false, the loop keeps running. When you want to guarantee that the loop body gets run at least once, regardless of the condition, the do-while loop is helpful. Let’s look at the syntax for a do-while loop. 

Syntax:

Example:

Output:

3. The For Loop:

Java has a flexible looping mechanism called the for loop. It enables fine-grained control over the startup, condition, and update phases of the loop. The for loop is often used when you need to iterate over a range of variables or when you know exactly how many iterations you will need in advance. The condition check is carried out after the initialization phase. The update step is carried out after the loop's body has been executed if the condition is true. Up until the condition is evaluated as false, the process is repeated. A post-test loop in Java is the do-while loop. Before checking the condition, it runs the loop's body. The process continues if the condition is satisfied, and the loop body is run once more. Until the condition is evaluated as false, the loop keeps running. When you want to guarantee that the loop body gets run at least once, regardless of the condition, the do-while loop is helpful. The general syntax is as follows:

Syntax:

Example:

Output:

4. The For-each Loop:

The for-each loop, introduced in Java 5, facilitates array and collection iteration. It maintains the iteration automatically and provides an easy way to access each element without the need for explicit indexing. The for-each loop loops through the elements of the provided array or collection, assigning the current element to a loop variable. The body of the loop is then executed for each element. This loop comes in handy when you want to iterate over all elements of an array or collection without having to bother with indices. The for-each loop in Java has the following general syntax.

Syntax:

Example:

Output:

Nested Loop in Java

Nested loops in Java refer to the concept of having one loop inside another loop. This allows for the execution of complex iterations and the efficient handling of multi-dimensional data structures. The outer loop controls the iteration of the inner loop, creating a nested structure. By nesting loops, you can perform repetitive tasks on each element or combination of elements within the nested data structure. 

Let’s consider the following example:

Output:

Nested loops can be implemented using any of the loop constructs in Java: while, do-while, for, or for-each. The inner loop's iteration depends on the outer loop's iteration. For each iteration of the outer loop, the inner loop executes its own set of iterations, repeating until the inner loop's termination condition is met. Once the inner loop is complete, the outer loop proceeds to its next iteration.

When working with multi-dimensional arrays, matrices, or nested collections, nested loops are widely employed. They enable you to process elements within the nested structure row by row, column by column, or in any desired pattern. You can perform operations on the elements, such as searching, sorting, filtering, or computations, by carefully regulating the iteration of nested loops.

When working with nested loops, it's crucial to be cautious because they can quickly cause performance concerns if not constructed properly. Make sure to optimize the loop structure and avoid iterations that are unneeded or redundant.

Infinite Loop in Java

An infinite loop is a loop that continues to execute indefinitely without terminating. It occurs when the loop condition always evaluates to true or when there is no condition specified. Infinite loops can be unintentional and often lead to programs freezing or crashing, so they should be avoided unless intentionally used in certain scenarios.

Here are a few common ways an infinite loop can occur:

1. Missing or Incorrect Termination Condition: If the loop condition is not properly defined or accidentally omitted, the loop will continue indefinitely. For example:

2. Improper Update or Increment: If the loop update or increment statement is missing or incorrect, the loop condition may never change, causing an infinite loop. For example:

3. Endless Loop Constructs: Certain loop constructs, such as the `while (true)` or `for (;;)`, are intentionally designed to create infinite loops. These constructs are used when specific termination conditions are not applicable or when the loop is meant to run indefinitely until explicitly terminated.

To avoid unintended infinite loops, loop conditions must be properly defined and eventually evaluated as false. If an infinite loop is intended, incorporate suitable control statements within the loop, such as 'break' or 'return' to escape it as necessary.

Nested loops allow you to conduct sophisticated iterations over multi-dimensional data structures. However, in order to avoid performance concerns, their structure must be optimized. Infinite loops, on the other hand, can cause programs to freeze or crash, so they should be handled with care.

Looping through large data sets without degrading performance

When working with large data sets, it's critical to optimize your loops to minimize performance impacts. Consider the following methods:

  • Reduce the number of iterations required by using efficient algorithms and data structures.

  • Within the loop body, avoid superfluous or redundant computations.

  • Depending on the iteration needs, use suitable loop constructions.

  • Parallelize or divide the task over several threads or processes if possible.

  • Instead of loading the entire data set at once, use techniques like pagination or streaming to analyze the data in smaller chunks.

You may increase the efficiency of your loops when working with huge data sets in Java by using these optimization strategies.

Real-world applications of loop in Java

Loops in Java are widely used in various real-world scenarios to automate repetitive tasks, iterate over collections, process data, and handle complex logic. Here are a few examples of practical scenarios where loops in Java can be applied:

1. Processing Collections:

Loops let you perform particular operations on each item in lists, arrays, and maps. A for-each loop can calculate the total price or display product data for an array of products.

2. User Input Validation:

Loops can be used to constantly ask users for correct input. A while loop or do-while loop can repeatedly remind the user and check the input against particular requirements until it is valid.

3. File Processing:

When reading data from a file or writing data to a file, loops can be used to iterate through the file content and perform operations on each line or record. For example, you can read a CSV file line by line using a while loop and process the data accordingly.

4. Generating Reports:

In report generation scenarios, loops are often used to iterate over a dataset or a collection of records and generate reports with aggregated or summarized information. You can use a for loop or a for-each loop to iterate through the data and generate the required report.

5. Network Operations:

Loops handle incoming connections and process network data in network programming. A server program might use a while loop to listen for requests, process them, and deliver responses until explicitly ended.

6. Game Development:

Loops are essential in game development to handle game logic, update game states, and process user input. Game loops typically run continuously, repeatedly updating the game world, handling collisions, and rendering graphics until the game is exited.

7. Numerical Computations:

Loops run through values, calculate, and provide results in scientific and mathematical operations. You can use a for loop to calculate mathematical sequences or simulate them numerically.

These are some examples of real-world Java loop usage. Loops simplify repeated operations, handle vast amounts of data, and perform sophisticated algorithms in numerous disciplines.

Here are a few Java loop programs for practice

1. Program to Print Numbers from 1 to 10:

Output:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

2. Program to Calculate the Sum of Numbers from 1 to N

Output:

The output of the given code depends on the input provided by the user. Here's an example of the output for different inputs:

Example 1:

Enter a number: 5

Sum: 15

Example 2:

Enter a number: 10

Sum: 55

Example 3:

Enter a number: 3

Sum: 6

In each case, the program prompts the user to enter a number. It then calculates the sum of all numbers from 1 to the entered number (inclusive) using a for loop. The final output displays the calculated sum.

3. Program to Print a Pattern

Output:

The user's input determines the output of the given code in this instance as well. Here are some examples of the output for different inputs:

Example 1:

Enter the number of rows: 5

1 2 

1 2 3 

1 2 3 4 

1 2 3 4 5 

Example 2:

Enter the number of rows: 3

1 2 

1 2 3 

Example 3:

Enter the number of rows: 7

1 2 

1 2 3 

1 2 3 4 

1 2 3 4 5 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

The programme always asks for the row count. Nested loops print a pattern with numbers from 1 to the row number. Input determines the output pattern.

Conclusion

Loops are an essential component of Java programming because they make it possible to carry out repetitive operations in an easy and effective manner. The while loop, the do-while loop, the for loop, and the for-each loop each offer a unique method of controlling the iteration, making them useful in a wide variety of programming contexts. Learning to use these loop components effectively will allow you to write strong and adaptable programs. Always remember to test and debug your code to ensure that it works properly, and choose the loop type that is most appropriate for your needs by basing your decision on those requirements.

FAQs

1. How do you break out of a loop in Java?

Java's break statement breaks loops. The `break` statement leaves a loop and starts the following sentence.

2. Which loop in Java is faster?

Due to the fact that the for-each is implemented by the iterator and requires concurrent mutation verification, the for-loop approach is quicker when utilizing an ArrayList.

3. What do you mean by loop statements?

A program loop is a collection of statements that run repeatedly for a predetermined period of time or until certain criteria are satisfied. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *