Learning Objectives: Nested Loops
Explain nested loop syntax
Identify the relationship between the variables in each
loop with the output produced
Nested Loops
A nested loop is a loop that exists inside of another loop. An advantage of
using nested loops is that the loops can work together to create unique and
complex outputs. However, due to their complexity potential, it is rare to
see the implementation of more than two nested loops. If possible, it is
recommended that you re-factor your code to reduce this complexity.
Syntax
The code below will draw a rectangle of 100 # in a 10 x 10 grid. The first
loop controls the row of output, while the second loop prints 10 # to the
screen.
for (int row = 0; row < 10; row++) { //outer loop
for (int col = 0; col < 10; col++) { //inner loop
cout << "#";
}
cout << "" << endl; //adds new line
}
Code Visualizer
challenge
What happens if you:
Replace row < 10 with row < 5 in the code above?
Replace col < 10 with col < 20 in the code above?
Code Visualizer
Nested Loop Coding Challenge 1
Using nested loops, write some code that outputs the following:
###########
###########
###########
###########
###########
###########
###########
Code Visualizer
Hint
The output is the same character (#). Make sure that your nested loops have
the right numbers in the boolean expressions to get the appropriate
number of rows and columns.
Nested Loop Coding Challenge 2
Using nested loops, write some code that outputs the following:
<<<<<<<<<<
>>>>>>>>>>
<<<<<<<<<<
>>>>>>>>>>
<<<<<<<<<<
Code Visualizer
Hint
The output is a < when the outer loop variable is even (0, 2, 4) and a > when
the outer loop variable is odd (1, 3).
Nested Loop Coding Challenge 3
Using nested loops, write some code that outputs the following:
1
22
333
4444
55555
Code Visualizer
Hint
Note how the pattern goes from 1 to 5 starting on line 1 (through line 5) and
prints the line number equal to the amount of times as that numbered line.
First, the outer loop should start at 1. Second, the inner loop should run the
same amount of times as the row number up to the row number’s limit.
Sample Solutions
There are multiple ways to solve the challenges above but here are some
sample solutions using various combinations of for and while loops:
int row = 0;
while (row < 7) {
int col = 0;
while (col < 11) {
cout << "#";
col++;
}
cout << "" << endl;
row++;
}
for (int row = 0; row < 5; row++) {
if (row % 2 == 0) {
int col = 0;
while (col < 10) {
cout << "<";
col++;
}
cout << "" << endl;
}
else {
int col = 0;
while (col < 10) {
cout << ">";
col++;
}
cout << "" << endl;
}
}
for (int row = 1; row <= 5; row++) {
for (int col = 1; col <= row; col++) {
cout << row;
}
cout << "" << endl;
}
Formative Assessment 1
Formative Assessment 2
