Complete Java masterclass for beginners -11 (for loop)

Loops in Java

In programming languages, loops are used to execute a set of instructions/functions repeatedly when some conditions become true. There are three types of loops in Java.

• for loop
• while loop
• do-while loop

Java For Loop vs While Loop vs Do While Loop

Java For Loop

The Java for loop is used to iterate a part of the program several times. If the number of iteration is fixed, it is recommended to use for loop.

There are three types of for loops in java.

• Simple For Loop
• For-each or Enhanced For Loop
• Labeled For Loop

Java Simple For Loop

A simple for loop is the same as C/C++. We can initialize the variable, check condition and increment/decrement value. It consists of four parts:

1. Initialization: It is the initial condition which is executed once when the loop starts. Here, we can initialize the variable, or we can use an already initialized variable. It is an optional condition.
2. Condition: It is the second condition which is executed each time to test the condition of the loop. It continues execution until the condition is false. It must return boolean value either true or false. It is an optional condition.
3. Statement: The statement of the loop is executed each time until the second condition is false.
4. Increment/Decrement: It increments or decrements the variable value. It is an optional condition.

Syntax:

for(initialization;condition;incr/decr){
//statement or code to be executed 
        }

Example:

public class ForExample {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        //Code of Java for loop  

        for(int i=1;i<=10;i++){

            System.out.println(i);

        }

    }

}

Output:

Java Nested For Loop

If we have a for loop inside the another loop, it is known as nested for loop. The inner loop executes completely whenever outer loop executes.

public class NestedForExample {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

//loop of i  

        for(int i=1;i<=3;i++){

//loop of j  

            for(int j=1;j<=3;j++){

                System.out.println(i+" "+j);

            }//end of i  

        }//end of j  

    }

}

Output:

Pyramid Example 1:

public class PyramidExample {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        for(int i=1;i<=5;i++){

            for(int j=1;j<=i;j++){

                System.out.print("* ");

            }

            System.out.println();//new line  

        }

    }

}

Output:

Pyramid Example 2:

public class PyramidExample2 {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        int term=6;

        for(int i=1;i<=term;i++){

            for(int j=term;j>=i;j--){

                System.out.print("* ");

            }

            System.out.println();//new line  

        }

    }

} 

Output:

Java for-each Loop

The for-each loop is used to traverse array or collection in java. It is easier to use than simple for loop because we don't need to increment value and use subscript notation.

It works on elements basis not index. It returns element one by one in the defined variable.

Syntax:

for(Type var:array){

//code to be executed  

        }

Example:

public class ForEachExample {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        //Declaring an array  

        int arr[]={12,23,44,56,78};

        //Printing array using for-each loop  

        for(int i:arr){

            System.out.println(i);

        }

    }

}  

Output:

Java Labeled For Loop

We can have a name of each Java for loop. To do so, we use label before the for loop. It is useful if we have nested for loop so that we can break/continue specific for loop.

Usually, break and continue keywords breaks/continues the innermost for loop only.

Syntax:

labelname:

        for(initialization;condition;incr/decr){

//code to be executed  

        }

Example:

public class LabeledForExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        //Using Label for outer and for loop

          aa:
        for(int i=1;i<=3;i++){
            bb:
            for(int j=1;j<=3;j++){
                if(i==2&&j==2){
                    break aa;                }
                System.out.println(i+" "+j);            }
        }
    }
} 

Output:

If you use break bb;, it will break inner loop only which is the default behavior of any loop.

public class LabeledForExample2 {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        aa:

        for(int i=1;i<=3;i++){

            bb:

            for(int j=1;j<=3;j++){

                if(i==2&&j==2){

                    break bb;

                }

                System.out.println(i+" "+j);

            }

        }

    }

}

Output:

Java Infinitive For Loop

If you use two semicolons ;; in the for loop, it will be infinitive for loop.

Syntax:

for(;;){
//code to be executed          }

Example:

public class ForExample {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        //Using no condition in for loop  

        for(;;){

            System.out.println("infinitive loop");

        }

    }

}  

Output:

Now, you need to press ctrl+c to exit from the program.