Python For Loops

A for loop is used to execute a code block for a specified number of times.

When it comes to iterating through a sequence, a for loop is used (that is either list, tuple, dictionary, set, or string).

Example :- Print each fruit from a list :

fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
for x in fruits:
  print(x)

Output :-

The for loop don't requires no previously defined indexing variable.

Strings, even if they are iterable objects, have a series of characters :

Example :- Loop through the letters in the word "banana" :

for x in "banana":
  print(x) 

Output :-

We can interrupt the loop with the break declaration, before all elements are looped through :

Example 1 :- Exit the loop when x is "banana" :

fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
for x in fruits:  
  if x == "banana":
    break
  print(x)

Output :-

We can halt the current loop iteration using the continue statement and proceed with the next :

Example :- Do not print banana :

fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
for x in fruits:
  if x == "banana":
    continue
  print(x)

Output :-

To loop a given number of times through a code set, the range() method can be used.

The range() method returns a number series, start with 0 and increasing by 1 by default and ending with a specified number.

The range() function has three parameters, which is:

• Starting Number :- The default start value is "0". You can define from where the loop should start.
• Ending Number :- You can set an ending number for the loop.
• Increment :- How much to be increment after every loop iteration completion.

Example 1 :- Using the range() function:

for x in range(6):
  print(x)

Output :-

In the above program, we did not specified an start value and increment value. So it used the default start value as "0" and the default increment counter as "1".

Note:- It should be noted that range(6) is not 0 to 6 then but 0 to 5.

Example 2 :- Using the start parameter :

for x in range(2, 6):
  print(x) 

Output :-

By default, the range() feature increases the sequence by 1 but it can be specified by adding a third parameter : range(2, 30, 3) :

Example 3 :- Increment the sequence with 3 (default is 1) :

for x in range(2, 30, 3):
  print(x) 

Output :-

The else keyword in a loop provides a code block for running when the loop is complete :

Example 1 :- Display all of 0 to 5 numbers and then, when the loop ends, print a message :

for x in range(6):
  print(x)
else:
  print("Finally finished!")

Output :-

Note : If the loop is halted by a break statement, the else block is NOT executed.

Example 2 :- Break the loop when x is 3 and see the else block :

for x in range(6):
  if x == 3: break
  print(x)
else:
  print("Finally finished!")

Output :-

Note:- If the loop breaks, the else block is not executed.

There is a nested loop within a loop.

For every iteration of the "outer loop" the "inner loop" is performed once :

Example :- For every fruit, print every adjective :-

adj = ["red", "big", "tasty"]
fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
for x in adj:
  for y in fruits:
    print(x, y)

Output :-

The for Loops cannot be empty, but if you have a loop with no content for some reason, put the pass statement in order to avoid error.

for x in [0, 1, 2]:
  pass
# having an empty for loop like this, would raise an error without the pass statement

Note:- Having an empty for loop like this, would raise an error without the pass statement.