Department of Electrical Engineering
Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil
Repetition Control Structures in C++ and Arrays
An Introduction to Loops and Arrays in C++
Department of Electrical Engineering
First Semester
2024/2025
1
ELE2309 COMPUTER PROGRAMMING 2024/2025
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lecture, students will be able to:
• Understand the concept of repetition control structures.
• Learn the types of loops in C++.
• Implement loops using for, while, and do-while.
• Identify appropriate use cases for each loop type.
• Avoid common mistakes in loop implementation.
What is a Repetition Control
Structure?
• A loop is a programming construct that repeats a set of instructions
until a condition is met.
• Loops help in reducing code redundancy and improving efficiency.
• Types of loops in C++:
• for loop
• while loop
• do-while loop
The for Loop
Definition:
• A for loop is used when the number of iterations is known beforehand.
• It consists of three parts:
• Initialization: Declares and initializes the loop variable.
• Condition: Determines whether the loop continues.
• Update: Modifies the loop variable after each iteration.
Syntax:
for(initialization; condition; update) {
// Code to execute
}
Example:
for(int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
cout << "Iteration " << i << endl;
}
The while Loop
Definition:
• The while loop executes as long as the condition remains true.
• Best when the number of iterations is unknown in advance.
Syntax:
while(condition) {
// Code to execute
}
Example:
int i = 1;
while(i <= 5) {
cout << "Iteration " << i << endl;
i++;
}
The do-while Loop
Definition:
• Similar to the while loop but guarantees execution at least once.
• The condition is checked after the execution of the loop body.
Syntax:
do {
// Code to execute
} while(condition);
Example:
int i = 1;
do {
cout << "Iteration " << i << endl;
i++;
} while(i <= 5);
Loop Control Statements
1. break Statement
• Terminates the loop execution immediately.
Example:
for(int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
if(i == 3) break;
cout << i << endl;
}
2. continue Statement
• Skips the current iteration and moves to the next one.
Example:
for(int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
if(i == 3) continue;
cout << i << endl;
}
Choosing the Right Loop
Loop Type When to Use
for loop When the number of iterations is known.
When the number of iterations is unknown but
while loop
depends on a condition.
When you must execute at least once, even if the
do-while loop
condition is false.
Common Mistakes in Loops
• Infinite loops: Forgetting to update the loop variable.
• Incorrect loop conditions: Using the wrong comparison operators.
• Off-by-one errors: Starting or ending the loop incorrectly.
• Using the wrong loop type for the given scenario.
Example of an Infinite Loop:
int i = 1;
while(i <= 5) {
cout << "Iteration " << i << endl; // i is not updated
}
Example: Sum of First N
Numbers
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int n, sum = 0;
cout << "Enter a number: ";
cin >> n;
for(int i = 1; i <= n; i++) {
sum += i;
}
cout << "Sum: " << sum << endl;
return 0;
}
Nested for Loops
• Definition:
• A loop inside another loop is called a nested loop.
• The inner loop runs completely for every single iteration of the outer loop.
• Syntax:
for(int i = 1; i <= outer_limit; i++) {
for(int j = 1; j <= inner_limit; j++) {
// Code to execute
}
}
Example:
for(int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
for(int j = 1; j <= 2; j++) {
cout << "Outer: " << i << ", Inner: " << j << endl;
}
}
Output:
Outer: 1, Inner: 1
Outer: 1, Inner: 2
Outer: 2, Inner: 1
Outer: 2, Inner: 2
Outer: 3, Inner: 1
Summary
• Loops allow repetition in programming to improve efficiency.
• for loops are used when the number of iterations is known.
• while loops are used when the number of iterations is unknown.
• do-while loops ensure execution at least once.
• Nested loops allow working with multi-dimensional data.
• Use break and continue statements for better control.
• Avoid infinite loops and off-by-one errors.
Arrays Learning Objectives
By the end of this lecture, students will be able to:
• Understand what an array is in C++.
• Declare and initialize a 1D array.
• Access and modify elements in an array.
• Perform basic operations on arrays.
• Understand common mistakes and best practices when using arrays.
What is an Array?
• An array is a collection of elements of the same data type stored in
contiguous memory locations.
• It allows multiple values to be stored using a single variable name.
• Arrays provide efficient access to elements using an index.
Declaring and Initializing an
Array
• Declaration Syntax:
data_type array_name[array_size];
Examples:
int numbers[5]; // Declaring an integer array of size 5
char letters[10]; // Declaring a character array of size 10
Initialization Methods:
int numbers[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}; // Explicit initialization
int values[] = {10, 20, 30}; // Size inferred automatically
int emptyArray[5] = {0}; // All elements set to 0
Accessing and Modifying Array
Elements
• Accessing Elements: Array elements are accessed using their index,
which starts from 0.
• Modifying Elements: Values can be changed by assigning a new value
to an index.
• Example:
int numbers[5] = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50};
cout << numbers[2]; // Outputs 30
numbers[2] = 100; // Modifies the 3rd element
cout << numbers[2]; // Outputs 100
Traversing an Array
• Using a for Loop:
int numbers[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
for(int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
cout << numbers[i] << " ";
}
• Using a while Loop:
int i = 0;
while(i < 5) {
cout << numbers[i] << " ";
i++;
}
Common Operations on Arrays
• Finding the Maximum Element
int arr[5] = {10, 50, 30, 20, 40};
int max = arr[0];
for(int i = 1; i < 5; i++) {
if(arr[i] > max)
max = arr[i];
}
cout << "Max: " << max;
• Calculating the Sum of Elements
int sum = 0;
for(int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
sum += arr[i];
}
cout << "Sum: " << sum;
Common Mistakes With Arrays
• Accessing Out-of-Bounds Elements:
int arr[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
cout << arr[10]; // Undefined behavior
• Forgetting to Initialize an Array:
int arr[5]; // Contains garbage values
• Using Incorrect Loop Conditions:
int arr[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
for(int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) // Wrong! Should be i < 5
Example: Reversing an Array
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main() {
int arr[5] = {10, 20, 30, 40, 50};
cout << "Original: ";
for(int i = 0; i < 5; i++) cout << arr[i] << " ";
cout << "\nReversed: ";
for(int i = 4; i >= 0; i--) cout << arr[i] << " ";
return 0;
}
Output:
Original: 10 20 30 40 50
Reversed: 50 40 30 20 10
Summary
• Arrays store multiple values in contiguous memory locations.
• Elements are accessed using indexing (starting from 0).
• Loops help traverse and manipulate arrays efficiently.
• Be cautious of out-of-bounds errors and uninitialized arrays.
Solved Examples
Write a C++ program that takes an array of 50 floating-point numbers as
input. The program should calculate and display the average value of the
elements in the array, along with the count of elements above and below
the average.
