🔁 Programming Loops

🧠 Core Purpose

Loops allow repeated execution of a block of code based on a condition or iterator. They are essential for automation, iteration, and control flow.

🔹 General Loop Anatomy

🧠 This structure applies to most loop types: while, for, and even low-level assembly loops.

🔸 Loop Types Across Languages

1. while Loop

i = 0
while i < 5:
    print(i)
    i += 1

• Condition checked before each iteration
• May execute zero times

2. for Loop (Python)

for i in range(5):
    print(i)

• Uses an iterator or range
• Implicit initialization, test, and update

3. for Loop (C-style)

for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
    printf("%d\n", i);
}

• Explicit control over all loop phases

4. do...while Loop (C/C++)

int i = 0;
do {
    printf("%d\n", i);
    i++;
} while (i < 5);

• Condition checked after loop body
• Guarantees at least one execution

🔍 Semantic Comparison

🧩 Vault Integration Tip

When documenting loops:

• Always annotate control flow phases (init, test, body, update)
• Use language-specific examples to highlight semantic differences
• Consider adding flowcharts or truth tables for loop conditions

🔒 Loops are control flow primitives—document them with clarity to avoid semantic drift in algorithm design.