The for Statement

The for Statement

üThe for statement has the following syntax:

The for Statement

üA for loop is functionally equivalent to the following while loop structure:

initialization;

while (condition) {

    statement;

    increment;

}

Logic of a for loop

The for Statement

üLike a while loop, the condition of a for statement is 

tested prior to executing the loop body

üTherefore, the body of a for loop will execute zero or more 

times

üIt is well suited for executing a loop a specific number of 

times that can be determined in advance

for Example

final int LIMIT = 5;

for (int count = 1; count <= LIMIT; count++) {

    System.out.println(count);

}

Output:

1

2

3

4

5

The for Statement

üEach expression in the header of a for 

loop is optional

üIf the initialization is left out, no

 initialization is performed

üIf the condition is left out, it is always

 considered to be true, and therefore

 creates an infinite loop

üIf the increment is left out, no increment

 operation is performed

üBoth semi-colons are always required in 

the for loop header


Choosing a Loop Structure

üWhen you can’t determine how many

 times you want to execute the loop

 body, use a while statement or a do 

statement

üIf it might be zero or more times,

 use a while statement

üIf it will be at least once, use a do

 statement

üIf you can determine how many times

 you want to execute the loop body, use

 a for statement