Java While-Loop Examples

While. All things have endpoints. With a while-loop we proceed forward.

This loop helps when the end condition (such as the number 10) is not yet known.

Infinite loops. Here is a warning about the while-loop. It can lead to infinite loops, ones that freeze programs and give headaches. We must carefully test ends.

A program. In this example, we control a loop based on both "i" and "z." This could be expressed with a for-loop, but it might be less clear.

And: We increment "i" upwards and decrement "z" downwards. When "i" is no longer smaller than "z," the loop ceases.

Thus: In programs, for-loops are more often useful. But in cases where the loop termination is unknown, a while-loop shines.

Based on:

Java 7

Java program that uses while-loop

public class Program {
    public static void main(String[] args) {

	int i = 0;
	int z = 10;

	// Loop with two variables.
	while (i < z) {
	    i++;
	    z--;

	    // Display the values.
	    System.out.println(i + "/" + z);
	}
    }
}

Output

1/9
2/8
3/7
4/6
5/5

Break, while-true. Break is often useful in while-loops. But it can be used in any kind of loop. Here we show a while-true loop—it would be infinite if there were no break statement.

Break

However: The break statement terminates the loop. No further iterations are run.

Here: This program will continue looping in the while-loop until it reaches a random number greater than 0.8.

Random

Java program that uses break, while-true

import java.lang.Math;

public class Program {
    public static void main(String[] args) {

	// Loop infinitely.
	while (true) {

	    // Get random number between 0 and 1.
	    double value = Math.random();
	    System.out.println(value);

	    // Break if greater than 0.8.
	    if (value >= 0.8) {
		break;
	    }
	}
    }
}

Output

0.16129889659284657
0.0977987643977064
0.859556475501672

Do-while. This loop is just like a while-loop, except its condition is not checked before the first iteration is reached. So we must ensure the loop works with its initial value.

Do-While

Sometimes: A do-while loop can make programs faster by reducing the number of checks done.

Java program that uses do-while

public class Program {
    public static void main(String[] args) {

	int i = 0;
	// Loop while the variable is less than 3.
	// ... It is not checked on the first iteration.
	do {
	    System.out.println(i);
	    i++;
	} while (i < 3);
    }
}

Output

0
1
2

Post-increment, continue. This while-loop uses several syntax forms. It uses a post-increment in the while-loop condition. This means the < test is done before the increment is done.

Modulo: We also use a modulo test to see if a number is evenly divisible by 2. We use the continue statement to stop the current iteration.

Modulo

Java program that uses while, post increment, continue

public class Program {
    public static void main(String[] args) {

	int index = 0;
	// Use post increment in while-loop expression.
	while (index++ < 10) {

	    // Continue if even number.
	    if ((index % 2) == 0) {
		continue;
	    }
	    System.out.println("Element: " + index);
	}
    }
}

Output

Element: 1
Element: 3
Element: 5
Element: 7
Element: 9

A choice. In most looping contexts, a for-loop is a better choice. But an important skill is to detect when a while-loop is a superior option. Rarely even a do-while is better.

On the surface, loops are simple. But I find the most complex algorithms are based mainly on loops. So loops are simple for simple things, but become rapidly complex.

Related Links