What is the Difference Between Definite Loop and Indefinite Loop?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a definite loop and an indefinite loop lies in the number of iterations and the conditions upon which they terminate.
Definite Loop:
- Executes a constant number of times.
- The number of iterations is known in advance before entering the loop.
- Implemented using count-controlled loops, such as for, for-in, and for-of loops.
- Terminates after a predetermined number of iterations.
Indefinite Loop:
- Executes until a specific condition is met.
- The number of iterations is not known in advance and can be any number based on the condition.
- Implemented using condition-controlled loops, such as while and do-while loops.
- Terminates when the specified condition is satisfied.
In general, definite loops are used when the number of iterations is known in advance, and the code inside the loop is expected to execute the same number of times. On the other hand, indefinite loops are used when the number of iterations is not known in advance and depends on a specific condition that needs to be satisfied.
Comparative Table: Definite Loop vs Indefinite Loop
Here is a table comparing the differences between definite and indefinite loops:
| Feature | Definite Loop | Indefinite Loop |
|---|---|---|
| Number of iterations | Known in advance | Unknown in advance |
| Termination condition | None (fixed number of iterations) | Satisfied condition |
| Loop structure | Often implemented using for loops | Often implemented using while loops |
| Examples | Iterating through a list or array | Prompting for password input until the user inserts the same password twice in a row |
Definite loops are characterized by a known number of iterations before entering the loop, and they are often implemented using for loops. In contrast, indefinite loops have an unknown number of iterations in advance and are executed until a specific condition is met. These loops are typically implemented using while loops.
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