If you are interested to learn about the java Switch
Java For Loop
The Java for loop is used to iterate a part of the program several times. When you know exactly how many times you want to loop through a block of code, use the for
loop instead of a while
loop:
Syntax
for (statement 1; statement 2; statement 3) { // code block to be executed }
Statement 1 is executed (one time) before the execution of the code block.
Statement 2 defines the condition for executing the code block.
Statement 3 is executed (every time) after the code block has been executed.
The example below will print the numbers 0 to 4:
Example
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) { System.out.println(i); }
Example explained
Statement 1 sets a variable before the loop starts (int i = 0).
Statement 2 defines the condition for the loop to run (i must be less than 5). If the condition is true, the loop will start over again, if it is false, the loop will end.
Statement 3 increases a value (i++) each time the code block in the loop has been executed.
Java Simple for Loop
A simple for loop is the same as C/C++. We can initialize the variable, check condition and increment/decrement value. It consists of four parts:
- Initialization: It is the initial condition which is executed once when the loop starts. Here, we can initialize the variable, or we can use an already initialized variable. It is an optional condition.
- Condition: It is the second condition which is executed each time to test the condition of the loop. It continues execution until the condition is false. It must return boolean value either true or false. It is an optional condition.
- Increment/Decrement: It increments or decrements the variable value. It is an optional condition.
- Statement: The statement of the loop is executed each time until the second condition is false.
Syntax:
for(initialization; condition; increment/decrement){ //statement or code to be executed }
Flowchart:

Example:
//Java Program to demonstrate the example of for loop //which prints table of 1 public class ForExample { public static void main(String[] args) { //Code of Java for loop for(int i=1;i<=10;i++){ System.out.println(i); } }
Output:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Java Nested for Loop
If we have a for loop inside the another loop, it is known as nested for loop. The inner loop executes completely whenever outer loop executes.
Example:
public class NestedForExample { public static void main(String[] args) { //loop of i for(int i=1;i<=3;i++){ //loop of j for(int j=1;j<=3;j++){ System.out.println(i+" "+j); }//end of i }//end of j }
Output:
1 1
1 2
1 3
2 1
2 2
2 3
3 1
3 2
3 3
Another Example
This example will only print even values between 0 and 10:
Example
for (int i = 0; i <= 10; i = i + 2) { System.out.println(i); }
Java For Each Loop
For-Each Loop
There is also a “for-each” loop, which is used exclusively to loop through elements in an array:
Syntax
for (type variableName : arrayName) { // code block to be executed }
The following example outputs all elements in the cars array, using a “for-each” loop:
Example
String[] cars = {"Volvo", "BMW", "Ford", "Mazda"}; for (String i : cars) { System.out.println(i); }
Java Labeled For Loop
We can have a name of each Java for loop. To do so, we use label before the for loop. It is useful while using the nested for loop as we can break/continue specific for loop.
Note: The break and continue keywords breaks or continues the innermost for loop respectively.
Syntax:
labelname: for(initialization; condition; increment/decrement){ //code to be executed }
Example:
//A Java program to demonstrate the use of labeled for loop public class LabeledForExample { public static void main(String[] args) { //Using Label for outer and for loop aa: for(int i=1;i<=3;i++){ bb: for(int j=1;j<=3;j++){ if(i==2&&j==2){ break aa; } System.out.println(i+" "+j); } } } }
Output:
1 1 1 2 1 3 2 1
If you use break bb;, it will break inner loop only which is the default behaviour of any loop.
public class LabeledForExample2 { public static void main(String[] args) { aa: for(int i=1;i<=3;i++){ bb: for(int j=1;j<=3;j++){ if(i==2&&j==2){ break bb; } System.out.println(i+" "+j); } } } }
Output:
1 1
1 2
1 3
2 1
3 1
3 2
3 3
Java Infinitive for Loop
If you use two semicolons ;; in the for loop, it will be infinitive for loop.
Syntax:
for(;;){ //code to be executed }
Example:
//Java program to demonstrate the use of infinite for loop //which prints an statement public class ForExample { public static void main(String[] args) { //Using no condition in for loop for(;;){ System.out.println("infinitive loop"); } } }
Output:
infinitive loop
infinitive loop
infinitive loop
infinitive loop
infinitive loop
ctrl+c
Now, you need to press ctrl+c to exit from the program.
Java for Loop vs while Loop vs do-while Loop
Comparison | for loop | while loop | do-while loop |
---|---|---|---|
Introduction | The Java for loop is a control flow statement that iterates a part of the programs multiple times. | The Java while loop is a control flow statement that executes a part of the programs repeatedly on the basis of given boolean condition. | The Java do while loop is a control flow statement that executes a part of the programs at least once and the further execution depends upon the given boolean condition. |
When to use | If the number of iteration is fixed, it is recommended to use for loop. | If the number of iteration is not fixed, it is recommended to use while loop. | If the number of iteration is not fixed and you must have to execute the loop at least once, it is recommended to use the do-while loop. |
Syntax | for(init;condition;incr/decr){ // code to be executed } | while(condition){ //code to be executed } | do{ //code to be executed }while(condition); |
Example | //for loop for(int i=1;i<=10;i++){ System.out.println(i); } | //while loop int i=1; while(i<=10){ System.out.println(i); i++; } | //do-while loop int i=1; do{ System.out.println(i); i++; }while(i<=10); |
Syntax for infinitive loop | for(;;){ //code to be executed } | while(true){ //code to be executed } | do{ //code to be executed }while(true); |