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JavaScript•JavaScript Foundations

JavaScript For Loop

For Loops can execute a block of code a number of times.

For Loops are fundamental for tasks like performing an action multiple times.

The For Loop

The for statement creates a loop with 3 optional expressions:

for (
exp 1
;
 exp 2
;
 exp 3
) {
 //
code block to be executed
 }

exp 1 is executed (one time) before the execution of the code block.

exp 2 defines the condition for executing the code block.

exp 3 is executed (every time) after the code block has been executed.

Example

for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
  text += "The number is " + i + "<br>";
}

From the example above, you can read:

exp 1 sets a variable before the loop starts (let i = 0).

exp 2 defines the condition for the loop to run (i must be less than 5).

exp 3 increases a value (i++) after the code block has been executed.

for

How to use exp 1

exp 1 is used to initialize the variable(s) used in the loop (let i = 0).

exp 1 is optional.

You can omit exp 1 if the value is set before the loop starts:

Example

const cars = ["BMW", "Volvo", "Saab", "Ford"];
let len = cars.length;
let i = 2;
let text = "";
for (; i < len; i++) {
  text += cars[i] + "<br>";
}

How to use exp 2

exp 2 is used to evaluate the condition of the initial variable (i < len).

exp 2 is also optional.

If exp 2 returns false , the loop will end.

If you omit exp 2, you must provide a break inside the loop.

Otherwise the loop will never end.

This will crash your browser.

How to use exp 3

exp 3 increments the value of the initial variable (i++).

exp 3 is optional.

exp 3 can do anything like negative increment (i--), positive increment (i = i + 15), or anything else.

exp 3 can be omitted (if you increment the value inside the loop):

Example

const cars = ["BMW", "Volvo", "Saab", "Ford"];
let len = cars.length;
let i = 0;
let text = "";
for (; i < len; ) {
  text += cars[i] + "<br>";
  i++;
}

Loop Scope

Example

var i = 5;
for (var i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
  // some code
}
// Here i is 10

Example

let i = 5;
for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
  // some code
}
// Here i is 5

Using let in a loop

In the first example, using var , the variable declared in the loop redeclares the variable outside the loop.

In the second example, using let , the variable declared in the loop does not redeclare the variable outside the loop.

When let is used to declare the i variable in a loop, the i variable will only be visible within the loop.

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