Loop
-
In computer science, a loop is a programming structure that repeats a sequence of instructions until a specific condition is met. Programmers use loops to cycle through values, add sums of numbers, repeat functions, and many other things.
Loops are supported by all modern programming languages, though their implementations and syntax may differ. Two of the most common types of loops are the while loop and the for loop.
A while loop is the simplest form of a programming loop. It states that while a condition is valid, keep looping. In the PHP example below, the while loop will continue until i is equal to num.
= 1; = 21; while ( { echo , ; ; // increment }
If is 1 and is 21, the loop will print out 1, 2, 3, 4… etc. all the way to 20. Then the loop will stop or break after 20 iterations because the while condition has been met.
A for loop is similar to a while loop, but streamlines the source code. The for loop statement defines the start and end point as well as the increment for each iteration. Below is the same loop above defined as a while loop.
= 21; for ( = 1; { echo , ; }
Though for loops and while loops can often be used interchangeably, it often makes more sense to use one over the other. In most cases, for loops are preferred since they are cleaner and easier to read. However, in some situations, a while statement can be more efficient. For instance, the following PHP statement can be used to load all the values from a MySQL result into an array using only one line of code.
while ( = mysql_fetch_array())
NOTE: Since loops will repeat until a given specific condition is met, it is important to make sure the loop will break at some point. If the condition is never met, the loop will continue indefinitely creating an infinite loop. Writing code that allows infinite loops is bad programming practice, since they can cause programs to crash. -
An [audio] or [video] [digital] [sample] cut so that it plays continuously without jarring. (Nobody uses [analogue tape] or [film] anymore, unless theyre into [masochism])
Often: drum loop ~ a pattern of [drum hits] which, when combined with a [bassline], make a [groove]. These can be stored as an [audio file] or [MIDI] information. -
The Loop is the local name for Chicagos downtown area, so named because of the way the citys elevated trains (or [el]) loops around the area. Also used with directions, such as North Loop, South Loop, or West Loop. There is, however, no East Loop because that would put you in Lake Michigan.
-
The product of using auto-correct while typing the word poop into a phone or computer.
-
A combination of the words, long and poop.
-
In various arcade shoot em up games (such as Gradius), when you beat the game, it allows you to start over at the beginning of the game after viewing the credits. You keep the score you had when you beat the game, but the enemies in the levels become harder and the game becomes more difficult. This is called a loop. The game starts on loop 1 and when you beat the game it goes to loop 2 with higher difficulty and when you beat it again you start over with an even higher difficuly setting at loop 3 and so on.
-
To jerk outside for practice
-
when something is mentioned more than once during a conversation as if it were the first time.
similar to deja vu, when the same conversation plays out again in the same way during the day -
A shape produced by a curve that bends round and crosses itself.
-
Visual customer feedback management software, including a screenshot plugin that integrates directly into your website. A software product by Loop
-
Helps SaaS companies keep growth strategies relevant based on real-time customer feedback. A software product by LoopVOC
-
Loop in Table Tennis. This stroke produces a very heavy backspin, and the ball travels in a loop before bouncing on the opponents court. The idea of this stroke is to confuse the opponent with spin and different speed variations at an intense level.
Explore More Definitions
Browse our collection of 300,000+ community-written definitions