Repetition and Loop

Statements

Mirza Mohammad Lutfe Elahi

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU
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Outline
• Repetition in Programs
• Counting loops
• The while statement
• The for statement
• Conditional Loops
• Nested Loops
• The do-while statement
• How to debug and test programs
• Common Programming Errors

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Recall: Control Structures

• Three kinds of control structures
– Sequence (Compound Statement)
– Selection (if and switch Statements)
– Repetition (discussed in this presentation)
• The repetition of steps in a program is called a loop
• Three loop control structures in C
– The while statement
– The for statement
– The do-while statement

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Repetition in Programs
• Loop structure
– A control structure that repeats a group of steps in a program
• Loop body
– The statements that are repeated inside the loop
• Three questions to raise:
1. Are there any steps repeated in the problem?
2. If the answer to question 1 is yes, is the number of
repetitions know in advance?
3. If the answer to question 2 is no, then how long to keep
repeating the steps?

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Flowchart of Loop Choice

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Counting Loop
• Called a Counter-controlled loop
• A loop that can be controlled by a counter variable
• Number of iterations (repetitions) can be determined
before loop execution begins
• General format of a counting loop:
Set loop control variable to an initial value
while (loop control variable < final value) {
/* Do something multiple times */
Increase loop control variable by 1
}
CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU
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The while Statement

• Syntax: Loop Repetition Condition
while (condition) {
statement1 ;
statement2 ; Loop Body:
Can be one statement, or
. . .
Compound statement
statementN ;
}
• As long as condition is true, the loop body is executed
• The condition is re-tested after each iteration
• The loop terminates when condition becomes false
CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU
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Example of a while Loop

• Compute and display the gross pay for 7 employees
– Initialization: count_emp = 0;
– Testing: (count_emp < 7)
– Updating: count_emp = count_emp + 1;

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Flowchart of a while Loop

Loop repetition condition

Loop body

If count_emp is not updated,

the loop will execute forever.
Such a loop is called infinite loop.

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Total Payroll of a Company

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Sample Run
Enter number of employees> 3
Hours> 50
Rate> $5.25
Pay is $262.50

Hours> 6
Rate> $5.0
Pay is $ 30.00

Hours> 15
Rate> $7.0
Pay is $105.00

All employees processed

Total payroll is $ 397.50

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Sum of numbers using while Loop

#include<stdio.h>

int main(void) /* Compute Sum of numbers */

{
int i = 0; /* count number */
int a; /* current input number */
int sum = 0; /* Sum of inputs */

while(i < 10)

{
printf("Enter a number: ");
scanf("%d", &a);
sum = sum + a;
i++;
}
printf("Total is %d\n", sum);

return 0;
}

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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The for Statement

• Better way to write a counting loop
for (initialization expression;
loop repetition condition;
update expression)
Statement ; /* Can be Compound */
• First, the initialization expression is executed
• Then, the loop repetition condition is tested
– If true, the Statement is executed , the update expression is computed,
and the repetition condition is re-tested
• Repeat as long as the repetition condition is true

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Accumulating a Sum: total_pay

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Compound Assignment Operator

variable op= expression ; is equivalent to
variable = variable op (expression) ;

Statement with Simple Equivalent with Compound

Assignment Operator Assignment Operator
count_emp = count_emp + 1; count_emp += 1;

time = time - 1; time -= 1;

product = product * item; product *= item;

total = total / number; total /= number;

n = n % (x+1); n %= x+1;

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Prefix and Postfix Increments

C also provides the decrement operator -- that can be

used in either the prefix or postfix position

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Computing Factorial

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Conversion of Celsius to
Fahrenheit
Display a Table of Values

Decrement by 5

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Conditional Loop
• Not able to determine the exact number of loop repetitions
before loop execution begins
• Example of a conditional loop: input validation
printf("Enter number of students> ");
scanf("%d", &num_students);
while (num_students < 0) {
printf("Invalid negative number; try again> ");
scanf("%d", &num_students);
}
• while loop rejects invalid (negative) input

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Sentinel-Controlled Loop
• In many programs, we input a list of data values
• Often, we don’t know the length of the list
• We ask the user to enter a unique data value, called a
sentinel value, after the last data item
• Sentinel Value
– An end marker that follows the last value in a list of data
– For readability, we used #define to name the SENTINEL
• The loop repetition condition terminates a loop when
the sentinel value is read

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Sentinel-Controlled while Loop

#include <stdio.h>
#define SENTINEL -1 /* Marking end of input */

int main(void) { /* Compute the sum of test scores */

int sum = 0; /* Sum of test scores */
int score; /* Current input score */

printf("Enter first score (%d to quit)> ", SENTINEL);

scanf("%d", &score);
while (score != SENTINEL) {
sum += score;
printf("Enter next score (%d to quit)> ", SENTINEL);
scanf("%d", &score);
}
printf("\nSum of exam scores is %d\n", sum);
return (0);
}

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Sentinel-Controlled for Loop

#include <stdio.h>
#define SENTINEL -1 /* Marking end of input */

int main(void) { /* Compute the sum of test scores */

int sum = 0; /* Sum of test scores */
int score; /* Current input score */

printf("Enter first score (%d to quit)> ", SENTINEL);

for (scanf("%d", &score);
score != SENTINEL;
scanf("%d", &score)) {
sum += score;
printf("Enter next score (%d to quit)> ", SENTINEL);
}
printf("\nSum of exam scores is %d\n", sum);
return (0);
}

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Infinite Loop on Faulty Input Data

• Reading faulty data can result in an infinite loop
scanf("%d", &score); /* read integer */
• Suppose the user enters the letter X
Enter next score (-1 to quit)> X
scanf fails to read variable score as letter X
• Variable score is not modified in the program
score != SENTINEL is always true
• Therefore, Infinite Loop

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Detecting Faulty Input Data

• scanf can detect faulty input as follows:
status = scanf("%d", &score);
• If scanf successfully reads score then status is 1
• If scanf fails to read score then status is 0
• We can test status to detect faulty input
• This can be used to terminate the execution of a loop
• In general, scanf can read multiple variables
• It returns the number of successfully read inputs

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Terminating Loop on Faulty Input

int main(void) { /* Compute the sum of test scores */
int sum = 0; /* Sum of test scores */
int score; /* Current input score */
int status; /* Input status of scanf */

printf("Enter first score (%d to quit)> ", SENTINEL);

status = scanf("%d", &score);
while (status != 0 && score != SENTINEL) {
sum += score;
printf("Enter next score (%d to quit)> ", SENTINEL);
status = scanf("%d", &score);
}
printf("\nSum of exam scores is %d\n", sum);
return (0);
}
CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU
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Print number in reverse order

#include <stdio.h>
int main(void)
{
int number, digit;
printf("Enter a number: ");
scanf("%d", &number);
while(number > 0)
{
digit = number % 10;
printf("%d", digit);
number = number / 10;
}
return 0;
}

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Nested Loops
• Consist of an outer loop with one or more inner loops
• Each time the outer loop is repeated, the inner loops are
reentered and executed
• Example:
int n = 5;
int i, j; *
for (i = 1; i <= n; i++) **
{
for (j = 1; j <= i; j++) ***
outer loop
inner loop

{ ****
printf("*");
} *****
printf("\n");
}
CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU
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What is the Output

/* Illustrates nested for loops */
#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) { i j
int i, j; /* loop variables */ Outer 1
printf(" I J\n"); Inner 0
for (i = 1; i < 4; i++) { Outer 2
Inner 0
printf("Outer %6d\n", i);
Inner 1
for (j = 0; j < i; j++) { Outer 3
printf(" Inner%9d\n", j); Inner 0
} /* end of inner loop */ Inner 1
} /* end of outer loop */ Inner 2

return (0);
}
CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU
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The do-while Statement

• The for and while statements evaluate the loop condition
before the execution of the loop body
• The do-while statement evaluates the loop condition after
the execution of the loop body
• Syntax:
do
statement; /* Can be compound */
while (loop repetition condition) ;
• The do-while must execute at least one time

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Using do-while to repeat Program

int main(void) {
. . . /* Variable Declarations */
char ch; /* User response [y/n] */

do {
. . . /* Execute program */
printf("Repeat again [y/n]? ");
ch = getch(); /* read from keyboard */
printf("%c\n", ch); /* display character */
} while (ch=='y'|| ch=='Y’);
return 0;
}

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Example: Selection Inside Loop

#include<stdio.h>

int main(void)
{
int number, i, flag = 1;
scanf("%d", &number);

for(i = 2; i < number; i++)

{
if(number % i == 0)
flag = 0;
}

if(flag == 1)
printf("%d is a prime number.\n", number);
else
printf("%d is not a prime number.\n", number);

return 0;
}
CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU
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Using break Inside Loop

#include<stdio.h>

int main(void){
int number, i, flag = 1;
scanf("%d", &number);

for(i = 2; i < number; i++){

if(number % i == 0){
flag = 0;
break;
}
} The break statement makes the
loop terminate prematurely.
if(flag == 1)
printf("%d is a prime number",number);
else
printf("%d is not a prime number",number);

return 0;
}
CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU
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Using continue Inside Loop

#include<stdio.h>

int main(void){
int number, i, sum = 0;

for(i = 0; i < 10; i++){

printf("Enter a number: ");
scanf("%d", &number);

if(number < 0) The continue statement forces

continue; next iteration of the loop,
skipping any remaining
sum += number; statements in the loop
printf("%d is added\n", number);
}

printf("Total = %d\n",sum);
return 0;
}

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Using continue Inside Loop

#include<stdio.h>

int main(void){
int number, i, sum = 0;

for(i = 0; i < 10; i++){

printf("Enter a number: ");
scanf("%d", &number);

if(number < 0) The continue statement forces

continue; next iteration of the loop,
skipping any remaining
sum += number; statements in the loop
printf("%d is added\n", number);
}

printf("Total = %d\n",sum);
return 0;
}

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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Using continue Inside Loop

#include<stdio.h>

int main(void){
int number, i, sum = 0; Output:
Enter a number: 1
for(i = 0; i < 10; i++){ 1 is added
printf("Enter a number: "); Enter a number: 2
scanf("%d", &number); 2 is added
Enter a number: 3
3 is added
if(number < 0) Enter a number: -4
continue; Enter a number: -5
Enter a number: 6
sum += number; 6 is added
printf("%d is added\n", number); Enter a number: 7
} 7 is added
Enter a number: 8
printf("Total = %d\n",sum); 8 is added
Enter a number: -9
return 0;
Enter a number: 10
} 10 is added
Total = 37
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Practice Series Problems

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU

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How to Debug and Test a Program

• Using a debugger program
– Debug option should be selected
– Execute program one statement at a time (Next line)
– Watch the value of variables at runtime (Add watch)
– Set breakpoints at selected statements
• Debugging without a debugger
– Insert extra printf statements that display intermediate results
at critical points in your program
if (DEBUG) printf(. . .);
– Turn ON diagnostic calls to printf
#define DEBUG 1
CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU
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Example: Debugging using printf

#define DEBUG 1 /* turn on diagnostics */
#define DEBUG 0 /* turn off diagnostics */

int main(void) {
int score, sum=0;
printf("Enter first score (%d to quit)> ", SENTINEL);
scanf("%d", &score); /* get first score */
while (score != SENTINEL) {
sum += score;
if (DEBUG) printf("score=%d, sum=%d\n", score, sum);
printf("Enter next score (%d to quit)> ", SENTINEL);
scanf("%d", &score); /* get next score */
}
printf("Total score is %d\n", sum);
return 0;
}
CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU
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Off-By-One Loop Errors

• A common logic error
• A loop executes one more time or one less time
• Example:
for (count = 0; count <= n; ++count)
sum += count; Executes n + 1 times

for (count = 1; count < n; ++count)

sum += count; Executes n – 1 times
• Checking loop boundaries
– Initial and final values of the loop control variable

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Common Programming Errors

• Do not confuse if and while statements
– if statement implements a decision step
– while statement implements a loop
• for loop: remember to end the initialization step and
the loop repetition condition with semicolon (;)
• Remember to use braces { and } around a loop body
consisting of multiple statements
• Remember to provide a prompt for the user, when
using a sentinel-controlled loop
• Make sure the sentinel value cannot be confused with
a normal data input
CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU
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Common Programming Errors

• Use do-while only when there is no possibility of
zero loop iterations
• Do not use increment, decrement, or compound
assignment as sub-expressions in complex expressions
a *= b + c; /* a = a*(b+c); */
There is no shorter way to write: a = a*b + c;
• Be sure that the operand of an increment/decrement
operator is a variable:
z = ++j * k--; /* ++j; z=j*k; k--; */

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Chapter Review
• Two kinds of loops occur frequently in programming
• Counting loop: controlled by a counter
• Conditional loop: controlled by a condition
– Sentinel-controlled loop
– Input validation loop
– General conditional loop
• C provides three statements for implementing loops
– while statement (can have zero repetitions)
– for statement (can have zero repetitions)
– do-while statement (must execute at least once)

CSE 115 Programming Language I ECE@NSU