While Loop in Python: Syntax and Use Cases

Loops are essential in every programming language, allowing you to execute the source code block repeatedly. Many loops, such as for and while loops, are available in Python.  The while loop is one of the most versatile and commonly used constructors in Python. This article explains the while loop in Python, covering its syntax, use case, and best practices.

What is While Loop in Python?

The Python while loop executes statements repeatedly. It allows you to repeatedly execute a source code block if a given condition is true, and it will stop repeating only if the conditions become false.

Suppose you want to print your name in Python 100 times. The most naive approach would be to type/paste the statement, print(“Name”) 100 times, and execute it. However, printing your name 100 times without using any loop is tedious.

The best possible approach will be to use the while loop statement in Python.

The following program demonstrates the while loop working.

Program

Output

Also Read: Identity Operator in Python

Let’s understand the while loop syntax.

• statement(s): It can be a single statement or a block of statements.
• expression: It is a condition statement in Python. It is evaluated to be true or false. Python interprets all non-zero values as true and 0 or None as false. The while loop keeps repeating itself until the expression becomes false.
• While: This keyword defines the while loop.

Working of while loop:

• First, the expression will be evaluated. If it returns true, control is passed to the indented statements inside the while loop.
• All the statements indented in the while loop of the body will be executed.
• Once all statements are executed, control is again passed to the expression, and the expression is re-evaluated. If it returns true, the body is executed again. This repeats until the expression is false.
• Once the while loop breaks, control is passed to the next unindented line of the while loop.

FlowChart of While Loop in Python

Example of Python While Loop

In this example, we will print the name 10 using the while loop in Python language.

Program

Output

While Loop with else

The while loop also supports the else statement, which is optional. When working with other statements in Python, the following points must be remembered.

• The else statement will be written after the while statement and executed when the expression of while returns false.
• If the break statement is executed inside the while loop in Python, the execution will be stopped, and the else statement will be skipped.

Syntax

The following program demonstrates while with an else statement.

Program

Output

String is printed 20 times

Single Statement While Loop in Python

If Python has only one statement, it can be placed in the same line as the while header statement. The syntax below makes this clear.

while expression: statement

If there are multiple statements, it only works for a single statement. All of them should be written inside the body of the while loop.

The following program demonstrates the single-line statement.

Program

Output

The Infinite While Loop in Python

The infinite loop never stops its repeated execution because the expression or condition defined by the while loop never returns false. There are many uses of the infinite loop in programming. This loop type is very useful in certain situations, such as in programs that need to run continuously, like servers, real-time monitoring systems, and network servers. To manage such loops in Python, it is crucial to include mechanisms for graceful termination, such as break statements or external interrupts.

The following program demonstrates the Infinite loop using the game.

Program

Output

While Loop Control Statements in Python

The loop control statement is a set of keywords written inside a while loop that affects the flow of execution and alters the loop’s normal execution. Three statements change the execution of the while loop statement: break, continue, and pass.

break

The break statement exits the loop in Python. It is often used to stop the loop when a certain condition is met, or an event requires terminating it.

The following program demonstrates the break.

Program

Output

The above program runs indefinitely because of the while true condition. However, the count reaches five, the break statement terminates the loop.

continue

The continue statement skips the remaining source code inside the loop for the current iterations and proceeds to the next iterations. It is useful when you want to skip over certain conditions and continue processing the next iteration.

The following program demonstrates the Program.

Program

Output

Pass Statement

The pass statement does nothing in the Python program. It is used when a statement is syntactically required but you do not want to execute any source code. This is very useful when sketching out your program’s structure and if you haven’t yet implemented certain program parts.

The following program demonstrates the Pass Statement.

Program

Output

Conclusion

In this article, we learned about the Python while loop. It is crucial for effective programming as it allows you to execute code repeatedly based on dynamic conditions. The while loop’s syntax is simple: it consists of the while keyword followed by a condition and a block of source code that runs as long as the condition is true. Whale loops provide a powerful tool for managing iterative processes and adapting to changing conditions, making them an essential component of Python programming.