C - while vs Do-while
In C, both while
loops and do-while
loops are used for repetitive execution of code, but they have key differences in terms of when the loop condition is checked. Here's a comparison of while and do-while loops:
while vs do-while loop
Aspect |
while Loop |
do-while Loop |
Condition Check |
Condition is checked before entering the loop body. |
Condition is checked after executing the loop body at least once. |
Minimum Execution |
May not execute at all if the condition is false initially. |
Always executes the loop body at least once before checking. |
Usual Use Case |
Typically used when you want to check the condition before the first iteration. |
Used when you want to ensure the loop body is executed at least once, even if the condition is false initially. |
Example |
while (condition) {
// Code
} |
c do {
// Code
}
while (condition); |
Termination Control |
Termination may occur before the first iteration. |
Termination guaranteed after at least one iteration. |
Preferred in |
Situations where it's not necessary for the loop to execute at all if the condition is false initially. |
Situations where you want to ensure the loop body runs at least once regardless of the initial condition. |
This table provides a side-by-side comparison of the key differences between while
and do-while
loops to help you choose the appropriate loop construct for your specific programming needs.