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(UPI) Chapter 7: Comprehensive Guide to Python Loops and Control Statements

61-minute College Credit Course

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Loops in Programming

A loop is a code block that runs a set of statements while a given condition is true. Loops are often used for performing repetitive tasks. For example:

  • The software on a phone repeatedly checks to see if the phone is idle. Once the time set by a user is reached, the phone is locked.
  • Loops can also be used for iterating over lists, such as student names in a roster, and printing the names one at a time.

In this chapter, two types of loops are introduced:

  1. For Loop
  2. While Loop

This chapter also introduces the break and continue statements, which are used to control a loop's execution.

While loop

This stage introduces while loops in programming, explaining how they execute a block of code repeatedly as long as a specified condition is true. It covers practical examples, such as generating Fibonacci numbers and counting even or odd numbers, while emphasizing the importance of understanding loop conditions, step sizes, and variable changes within loops.

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For Loop

This stage covers the for loop in Python, explaining how to iterate over containers like strings and lists, and use the range() function for generating sequences. Through examples and exercises, you'll learn how to process elements efficiently and master iteration techniques.

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Nested loops

This stage focuses on nested loops, where one loop is placed inside another to handle more complex iterations. You'll learn how to manage these loops using both for and while loops, practice with examples like generating schedules and multiplying numbers, and understand the concept of controlling execution flow within loops.

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Break and Continue

This stage covers the break and continue statements in loops, showing how to control loop flow efficiently by exiting early with break or skipping iterations with continue.

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Loop else

This stage explores the use of the else statement with loops, which executes only when the loop finishes without being interrupted by a break. It helps determine whether a loop ended normally or through an interruption.

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