Difference Between for Loop and while Loop

The major differences between for loop and while loop in C, C++ and Java are as follows:

for Loop

while Loop

Initialization may be either in the loop statement or outside the loop. Initialization is always outside the loop.
Once the statement(s) is executed then increment is done. The increment can be done before or after the execution of the statement(s).
It is normally used when the number of iterations is known. It is normally used when the number of iterations is unknown.
Condition is a relational expression. The condition may be an expression or non-zero value.
It is used when initialization and updation of conditions are simple. It is used for complex initialization.
For loop is entry controlled loop. While loop is also entry controlled loop.
Syntax: for ( init ; condition ; iteration ) { statement(s); } Syntax: while ( condition ) { statement(s); }
The for loop is used when the number of iterations is known. The while loop is used when the number of iterations is unknown.


Difference between for and while loop in C, C++, Java

In C, C++, and Java, both for loop and while loop is used to repetitively execute a set of statements a specific number of times. However, there are differences in their declaration and control flow. Let’s understand the basic differences between a for loop and a while loop.

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