Python While Loops
With the while loop we can execute a set of statements as long as a condition is
true
Example
Print i as long as i is less than 6
In [1]: i = 1
while i < 6:
print(i)
i += 1 # as same as i = i + 1
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Note: remember to increment i, or else the loop will continue forever
The while loop requires relevant variables to be ready, in this example we need to
define an indexing variable, i, which we set to 1
The break Statement
With the break statement we can stop the loop even if the while condition is true
Example
Exit the loop when i is 3
In [2]: i = 1
while i < 6:
print(i)
if i == 3:
break
i += 1
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The continue Statement
With the continue statement we can stop the current iteration, and continue with
the next
Example
Continue to the next iteration if i is 3
In [3]: i = 0
while i < 6:
i += 1 # i = i + 1
if i == 3:
continue
print(i)
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6
The else Statement
With the else statement we can run a block of code once when the condition no
longer is true
Example
Print a message once the condition is false
In [3]: i = 1
while i < 6:
print(i)
i += 1
else:
print("i is no longer less than 6")
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i is no longer less than 6
Nested While Loop
A nested while loop is a loop structure that contains another while loop within its
body
Example
In [1]: outer_count = 1
while outer_count <= 3:
inner_count = 1
while inner_count <= 3:
print(f"Outer count: {outer_count}, Inner count: {inner_count}")
inner_count += 1
outer_count += 1
Outer count: 1, Inner count: 1
Outer count: 1, Inner count: 2
Outer count: 1, Inner count: 3
Outer count: 2, Inner count: 1
Outer count: 2, Inner count: 2
Outer count: 2, Inner count: 3
Outer count: 3, Inner count: 1
Outer count: 3, Inner count: 2
Outer count: 3, Inner count: 3