Iteration: repeating instructions with loops

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课程笔记

What is Iteration?

  • Iteration means repeating a set of instructions (a block of code) more than once.
  • It is one of the three basic building blocks of programming, alongside sequence (doing things in order) and selection (making choices).
  • Loops let you write the same code once and run it many times, saving time and reducing errors.
  • Each repetition of the loop is called an iteration.

A loop repeats while a condition holds, or for a fixed number of repetitions.

A loop repeats while a condition holds, or for a fixed number of repetitions.

Count-Controlled Loops (for loops)

  • A count-controlled loop (often a for loop) repeats a fixed number of times.
  • It uses a loop variable (also called a counter) that changes each time the loop runs.
  • The loop variable often starts at a value, continues while a condition is true, and increases or decreases by a step.
  • Example: `for i in range(5):` runs the indented code 5 times, with `i` taking values 0, 1, 2, 3, 4.
  • Use a for loop when you know exactly how many times you want to repeat.

A count-controlled loop runs a fixed number of times, here outputting the numbers 1 to 5.

A count-controlled loop runs a fixed number of times, here outputting the numbers 1 to 5.

Condition-Controlled Loops (while loops)

  • A condition-controlled loop (often a while loop) repeats as long as a condition is true.
  • The condition is checked before each repetition; if it is false at the start, the loop body never runs.
  • Example: `while x < 10:` repeats until `x` becomes 10 or more.
  • Use a while loop when you do not know in advance how many times the loop will run.
  • The loop must eventually make the condition false, or it will run forever.

A flag controls the loop: it keeps asking until the correct password is entered.

A flag controls the loop: it keeps asking until the correct password is entered.

Loop Variables and Updating

  • The loop variable is a variable that changes each iteration, often used to control the loop or to track progress.
  • In a for loop, the loop variable is automatically updated by the loop.
  • In a while loop, you must update the variable yourself inside the loop body.
  • Common update: `counter = counter + 1` (or `counter += 1`) to increase the counter by 1.
  • The loop variable can be used inside the loop, for example to calculate sums or to index into a list.

Infinite Loops and How to Avoid Them

  • An infinite loop is a loop that never ends because the condition never becomes false.
  • Infinite loops can freeze a program or cause it to run forever.
  • To avoid them, make sure the condition can become false (e.g., update the loop variable).
  • Check that the loop variable moves towards the stopping condition (e.g., increases if the condition is `<`).
  • Test your loop with small values to see if it behaves as expected.

A loop boundary that is too small misses the last item; one that is too large processes extra items.

A loop boundary that is too small misses the last item; one that is too large processes extra items.

Choosing the Right Loop

  • Use a for loop when the number of repetitions is known in advance (e.g., repeat 10 times, or iterate over a list).
  • Use a while loop when the number of repetitions depends on a condition that may change (e.g., keep asking until the user enters a valid answer).
  • For loops are often clearer and less error-prone for fixed counts.
  • While loops are more flexible for unknown numbers of repetitions.
  • Sometimes a for loop can be written as a while loop, and vice versa, but one is usually more natural.

Combining Loops with Selection

  • You can put an if statement inside a loop to make decisions during each iteration.
  • This lets you process each item differently based on its value.
  • Example: `for num in numbers: if num % 2 == 0: print(num)` prints only even numbers.
  • You can also put a loop inside an if statement, or nest loops inside loops (nested loops).
  • Combining loops and selection allows you to solve complex problems like searching, counting, and filtering.

Common Loop Patterns

  • Counting: use a loop to count how many times something happens.
  • Summing: accumulate a total by adding each value in a loop.
  • Searching: loop through items to find a specific one.
  • Input validation: use a while loop to keep asking for input until it is valid.
  • Nested loops: a loop inside another loop, often used for grids or tables.

Key Terminology

  • Iteration: one repetition of a loop.
  • Loop body: the block of code that is repeated.
  • Loop condition: the boolean expression that controls a while loop.
  • Loop variable: the variable that changes each iteration.
  • Infinite loop: a loop that never terminates.

幻灯片

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练习题

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  1. 1.What is the term for the control flow that repeats a block of instructions a set number of times?

    Easy
    • Acount-controlled loop
    • Bcondition-controlled loop
    • Cinfinite loop
    • Dselection
  2. 2.A 'while' loop is an example of a count-controlled loop.

    Easy

    True or false?

  3. 3.Which of the following is a typical use of a count-controlled (for) loop?

    Easy
    • ARepeating until the user enters 'quit'
    • BPrinting numbers 1 to 10
    • CChecking a password until correct
    • DWaiting for a button press
  4. 4.What is the main danger of a condition-controlled loop if the condition never becomes false?

    Easy
    • AIt runs too slowly
    • BIt becomes an infinite loop
    • CIt skips the block
    • DIt uses too much memory
  5. 5.Which of the following are examples of iteration? (Select all that apply)

    Easy
    • Afor loop
    • Bwhile loop
    • Cif statement
    • Drepeat-until loop
  6. 6.In a 'for' loop, the loop variable automatically increases (or decreases) each time the loop runs.

    Easy

    True or false?

  7. 7.Which loop would be most appropriate to keep asking for a password until the correct one is entered?

    Medium
    • Afor loop
    • Bwhile loop
    • Crepeat-until loop
    • Dboth while and repeat-until
  8. 8.What is the value of 'total' after this code runs? total = 0; for i in range(1, 4): total = total + i

    Medium
    • A3
    • B6
    • C10
    • D4

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