Python For Loops

Python For loop is used for sequential traversal i.e. it is used for iterating over an iterable like string, tuple, list, etc. It falls under the category of definite iteration. Definite iterations mean the number of repetitions is specified explicitly in advance. In Python, there is no C style for loop, i.e., for (i=0; i<n; i++). There is “for in” loop which is similar to for each loop in other languages. Let us learn how to use for in loop for sequential traversals. 

Note: In Python, for loops only implements the collection-based iteration.

Syntax:

for var in iterable:
    # statements

Flowchart of for loop

Here the iterable is a collection of objects like lists, tuples. The indented statements inside the for loops are executed once for each item in an iterable. The variable var takes the value of the next item of the iterable each time through the loop.

Example: Python For Loop using List, Dictionary, String

Output: 

List Iteration
geeks
for
geeks

Tuple Iteration
geeks
for
geeks

String Iteration
G
e
e
k
s

Dictionary Iteration
xyz 123
abc 345

Loop Control Statements

Loop control statements change execution from its normal sequence. When execution leaves a scope, all automatic objects that were created in that scope are destroyed. Python supports the following control statements.

Continue Statement

Python continue Statement returns the control to the beginning of the loop.

Example: Python for Loop with Continue Statement

Output: 

Current Letter : g
Current Letter : k
Current Letter : f
Current Letter : o
Current Letter : r
Current Letter : g
Current Letter : k

Break Statement

Python break statement brings control out of the loop.

Example: Python For Loop with Break Statement

Output: 

Current Letter : e

Pass Statement

The pass statement to write empty loops. Pass is also used for empty control statements, functions, and classes.

Example: Python For Loop with Pass Statement

Output: 

Last Letter : s 

range() function

Python range() is a built-in function that is used when a user needs to perform an action a specific number of times. range() in Python(3.x) is just a renamed version of a function called xrange() in Python(2.x). The range() function is used to generate a sequence of numbers. Depending on how many arguments user is passing to the function, user can decide where that series of numbers will begin and end as well as how big the difference will be between one number and the next.range() takes mainly three arguments. 

• start: integer starting from which the sequence of integers is to be returned
• stop: integer before which the sequence of integers is to be returned. 
  The range of integers end at stop – 1.
• step: integer value which determines the increment between each integer in the sequence 

Example: Python for loop with range function

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 
10 20 30 40 
Sum of first 10 numbers : 45

Python for loop with else

In most of the programming languages (C/C++, Java, etc), the use of else statements has been restricted with the if conditional statements. But Python also allows us to use the else condition with for loops. 

Note: The else block just after for/while is executed only when the loop is NOT terminated by a break statement 

Output: 

1
2
3
No Break

1

Note: For more information refer to our Python for loop with else tutorial.

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