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(PPT) Iteration in Python

while-loop for-loop examples

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7 views

(PPT) Iteration in Python

while-loop for-loop examples

Uploaded by

createthread
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Iterative structure in Python

In Python, repetition can be recursive


def count_down_rec(x):
‘’’ Produces the list
[x, x - 1, x - 2, ..., 1,0]
count_down: Nat -> (listof Nat)
‘’’
if x == 0:
return [0]
else:
return [x] + count_down(x-1)
But it can be different  Iteration
def count_down(x):
answer = []
while x >= 0:
answer.append(x)
x=x–1
return answer

What happens when we call count_down(3)?


while loop basics
• If the continuation test is True,
• Execute the loop body
• If the continuation test is False,
• Do not execute the loop body
• After completing the loop body:
• Evaluate the continuation test again
• The body usually includes an update of variables used in the
continuation test
while loop template
## initialize loop variables
while test:
## body, including statements to:
## 1) update variables used in test
## 2) update value being calculated
Steps for writing a while loop
• You must determine
• how to initialize variables outside the loop
• when the loop body should be executed, or, when it should stop
• what variables must be updated in the loop body so the loop will eventually
stop
• what other actions are needed within the loop body
Example: Checking Primality
• A number n >= 2 is prime if it has no factors other than 1 and itself.

• To test if a number n is prime:


• Check every number from 2 to n-1
• If you find a factor of n, stop and return False
• If none of them are, stop and return True
• Determine what steps should be in side the loop, and which should be
outside
Implementation of is_prime
def is_prime (n):
‘’’ is_prime: Nat -> Bool
Requires: n >= 2
‘’’
test_factor = 2
while test_factor < n:
if n % test_factor == 0:
return False
else:
test_factor = test_factor + 1
return True
Beware of “infinite loops”
while True: x = -5
print('runs forever') total = 0
while x < 0:
total += 2.0 ** x
x -= 1
print(total)
Exercise: factorial
• Write a Python function to calculate n!
• Use a while loop that counts from 1 to n
• Use a while loop that counts down from n to 1
Why use loops instead of recursion?
• Iteration may allow for a more “natural” solution
• Python won’t let us do recursion thousands of times
• Iteration is more memory efficient
• for each recursive call, we need memory for parameters
• for an iterative call, we may just need to update an existing variable
• Iteration will generally run faster
Another type of loop: for
• While loops are called guarded iteration:
• If the test evaluates to True, execute the body

• Another approach:
• Iterate over all members in a collection
• Called bounded iteration

for item in collection:


loop_body
for loop examples
for food in ['avocado', 'banana', 'cabbage’]:
print(food.upper())

for base in 'ACGGGTCG’:


print(base)
for loop examples using range
sum_all = 0
for i in range(2, 5):
sq = i * i
sum_all = sum_all + sq
print(sum_all)

for j in range(10, 2, 2):


print(j)

• range is used to generate a collection of integers


• The next value in the range is computed automatically with each pass through the for loop.
for and while

while for
• Loop counter should be • Loop counter initialized
initialized outside loop automatically
• Includes continuation test • Continues while more elements in
before body the collection
• Should update loop variables • Loop variable updated automatically
in body of loop – do not update in loop
• Body contains steps to repeat • Body contains steps to repeat
What does this function do?
def smaller(L, x): • How many iterations would
p=0 smaller([10, 8, 6], 3) involve?
while p < len(L):
if L[p] < x: • smaller([7, 10, 2], 8)?
return p
else: • smaller(L, x) for any L and x?
p = p+1
return False
What does this function do?
def mult_table(n):
table = []
for r in range(n):
row = []
for c in range(n):
row.append(r*c)
table.append(row)
return table

• How many total iterations would mult_table(5) involve?


• mult_table(n) for any Nat n?

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