In this lesson, we will explore the do-while
loop in C++. The do-while
loop is a type of loop that executes a block of code repeatedly as long as a specified condition is true. Unlike the for
and while
loops, the do-while
loop ensures that the code block is executed at least once before checking the condition.
The syntax of the do-while
loop is as follows:
do {
// Code to be executed
} while (condition);
condition
: The Boolean expression that determines whether the loop should continue. The loop will execute as long as this condition is true.
#include <iostream>
int main() {
int count = 1;
// Using a do-while loop to print numbers from 1 to 5
do {
std::cout << "Number: " << count << std::endl;
count++;
} while (count <= 5);
return 0;
}
In this example, the do-while
loop prints numbers from 1 to 5. Even though the condition is checked at the end of the loop, the code block is executed at least once.
The do-while
loop is suitable for various programming scenarios:
- Input Validation: It can be used for input validation, ensuring that user input meets specific criteria.
- Menu-Driven Programs:
do-while
loops are often used in menu-driven programs to repeatedly display options to the user. - Game Loops: In game development,
do-while
loops can handle game logic loops that run until a game over condition is met.
Inside a do-while
loop, you can use loop control statements like break
and continue
to alter the loop's behavior, similar to other types of loops.
break
: Exits the loop prematurely when a certain condition is met.continue
: Skips the current iteration of the loop and continues with the next iteration.
The do-while
loop in C++ is a valuable construct for scenarios where you need to ensure that a code block is executed at least once, even before checking the loop condition. It is useful in input validation, menu-driven programs, and game development loops.