Python

What Are Loops in Python? See Examples in detail

Loops in Python are used to execute a block of code repeatedly as long as a specified condition is met. They help reduce code repetition and make programs more efficient.

Python mainly provides for loops and while loops.

Why Loops Are Important

Loops help to:

Automate repetitive tasks
Iterate over data collections
Process large amounts of data
Build efficient programs

Example:

for i in range(5):
    print(i)

Types of Loops in Python

Python has two primary looping constructs.

1. for Loop

The for loop is used to iterate over a sequence such as a list, tuple, string, or range.

for letter in "Python":
    print(letter)

Using range() with for Loop

for i in range(1, 6):
    print(i)

2. while Loop

The while loop runs as long as the condition is true.

count = 1
while count <= 5:
    print(count)
    count += 1

Loop Control Statements

Python provides control statements to manage loop execution.

break Statement

Stops the loop completely.

for i in range(10):
    if i == 5:
        break
    print(i)

continue Statement

Skips the current iteration.

for i in range(5):
    if i == 2:
        continue
    print(i)

pass Statement

Used as a placeholder where a statement is required syntactically.

for i in range(3):
    pass

Nested Loops

A loop inside another loop is called a nested loop.

for i in range(3):
    for j in range(2):
        print(i, j)

Common Loop Errors

❌ Infinite loops
❌ Incorrect range values
❌ Forgetting to update loop variables

Always ensure loop conditions eventually become false.

Best Practices for Using Loops

✔ Avoid unnecessary loops
✔ Use meaningful variable names
✔ Prefer for loop over while when possible
✔ Keep loops readable and simple

Conclusion

Loops are essential for handling repetitive tasks in Python. Understanding loops enables you to process data efficiently and build scalable applications.