Iteration (repetition)

• Iteration: process of repeating certain

Control Structures II statements over and over again.
(Repetition, Chpt 5) • Iteration avoids writing same statements
again and again.
Chapter 5

The need for iteration Repetitive control structures

• Add 5 numbers and find their average: – Many algorithms require numerous iterations over the
cin >> num1 >> num2 >> num3 >> num4 >> num5; same statements. Eg.
• To average 100 numbers, we would need 300 plus statements.
sum = num1 + num2 + num3 + num4 + num5; • Or we use a statement that has the ability to loop or repeat a
average = static_cast<double>(sum)/5.0; collection of statements.
• This is doable but what if we want to do the same for 100 – C++ has three repetition or looping structures:
a) while loop
numbers? b) do…while loop
• A real chore, messy and not desirable! c) for loop
• There is a much easier and neater way! – The while and for loops are known as a pre-test loops.
– The do…while is known as a post-test loop.

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a) Pre-test: while Loop Pre-Test: While loop

Example: find total of some positive test scores.

– General form of the while statement: int total = 0, score;

cout << “Enter test score (-1 to stop): “;
while ( loop-test ) cin >> score;
while(score != -1)
{ {
iterative-part total = total + score;
cout << “Enter score (-1 to stop): “;
} cin >> score;
}
– loop-test is evaluated first. If true, do the iterative part, cout << “ The total score is “ << total << endl;
then do loop-test again. Note1: There should always be a way for a loop to stop
– Process continues until the loop-test becomes false. Note2: The iterative parts may never be done. This is
why it is called a pre-test
– Need a statement to make loop-test false. Otherwise Note 3: This is a sentinel controlled loop (-1).
we can’t get out of while loop.

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1
 Flowchart view of while loop
b) Post-test: do…while
enter a score
• General form of the do…while loop
False True do
is score != -1? {
iterative part;
Add score to total
}
while(loop-test); // notice the semicolon.
Enter another score

Iterative • First time, program drops into the do portion with no loop-
test.
output total score Part
• loop-test is evaluated after the first iteration.
• if loop-test is false, program drops out and continues.
• if true, returns to the first iterative statement after do.

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Flowchart of do-while loop

Post-test: do…while loop
Example: find the total of some positive test scores. Enter a score

const int SENTINEL = -1;

int total = 0; int score; Yes
do is score != -1?
Iterative add score to total
{
cout << “Enter score (-1 to stop): “; Part
cin >> score; No
if(score >=0)
total += score;
}
while (score != SENTINEL); True
cout << “ The total score is “ << total << endl; is score != -1

Note: Notice that the iterative part will be done at least once in a
do-while loop. False
Note: There is a semi-colon after the while.
output total score

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do…while Looping structure (con’t.) do…while Looping (Repetition) Structure (cont’d.)

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2
 When to use the do-while loop Example do-while loop
– The do while loop is a good choice for obtaining char option;
interactive input from menu selections. do
– Consider a function that won't stop executing until {
the user enters an N, O, or S: cout << "Enter N)ew, O)pen, S)ave: ";
cin >> option;
option = toupper(option); // from cctype
// if option is one of the choices do something accordingly.
}
while (option !='N‘ && option != 'O‘ && option != 'S');
(this loop continues only if an invalid option is entered. Eg. ‘P’)

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which is better? Infinite loops

• in some instances you may want to use a while loop.
• in some instances you may want to use a do…while loop.
• you decide, there is no right answer. – Infinite loop: a loop that never terminates.
• but you can see that they can do the same things as in the – you won’t see your prompt again. Hit CTRL-C to get the
prior programs illustrating them. prompt back.
• What are the trade offs? – Infinite loops are usually not desirable unless you are
– Some while loop needs two prompts for data, no if statement. running a clock or an ATM banking machine.
– Some do…while loops needs only one prompt for data but need an if
statement inside iteration. – Infinite loops are caused when the loop-test never gets set
• some situations lend themselves better to while loops, some to false.
to do…while loops.
• practice helps.

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Example of an infinite loop

computePay.cc
int cntr = 0;
while (cntr < 10)
{ // FILE: computePay.cc
cout << “Hello there” << endl; // COMPUTES THE PAYROLL FOR A COMPANY using a loop
} structure
cout << "Do we ever get here?" << endl; #include <iostream>
using namespace std;
There is no step that brings (cntr<10) to false. int main ()
(Notice that there are parentheses around the single statement in this while {
loop. As with the if statement, there is no need for parentheses when there is int numberEmp, empCount;
only one executable statement.) double hours;
double rate, pay, totalPay;
How do we fix the infinite loop? Add cntr++; statement below the cout.
while (cntr < 10) // Get number of employees from user.
{ cout << "Enter number of employees: ";
cout << “Hello there” << endl; cin >> numberEmp;
cntr++;
} // Compute each employee's pay and add it to the payroll.
totalPay = 0.0; // set initial value
Note: There are many ways to get into an infinite loop so you need to trace empCount = 0;
your loop steps when it happens.

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3
 computePay.cc computePay.cc
while (empCount < numberEmp) Program Output
{ Enter number of Employees: 3
cout << "Hours: ";
cin >> hours; Hours: 50
cout << "Rate : $"; Rate: $15.25
cin >> rate; Pay is: $762.50
pay = hours * rate; Hours: 6
cout << "Pay is " << pay << endl << endl; Rate: $12.50
totalPay += pay; //do you see why we need initial value?
empCount++; Pay is: $75
} Hours: 1.5
cout << "Total payroll is " << totalPay << endl; Rate: $9.25
Pay is: $13.88
cout << "All employees processed." << endl; Total payroll is $851.38
return 0; All employees processed.
}

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Sentinel vs flag controlled loop Sentinel Controlled

• A sentinel is a special value that marks the end int sum = 0, num;
cout << “Enter positive number, -1 to quit: “;
of a list of values cin >> num;
• A flag is a boolean variable that signals when a while(num != -1) // -1 signals the end of the list (sentinel)
condition exists. {
sum += num;
cout << “Enter positive number, -1 to quit: “;
cin >> num;
}
cout << “The sum is: “ << sum << endl;

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Loop Design and Loop Patterns

Flag controlled • sentinel-controlled loops
1. Read the first data item.
// code to test if user enters a digit character. 2. while the sentinel value has not been read
char nextChar; 3. Process the data item.
4. Read the next data item.
bool digitRead = false; // digitRead is the flag
while(!digitRead) // while the flag is not true…repeat… • flag controlled loops
{ 1. Set the flag to false (or true)
2. while the flag is false (or true)
cout << “Please enter a character: “; 3. Perform some action.
cin >> nextChar; 4. Reset the flag to true (or false) if the anticipated event occurred.
digitRead = (nextChar >= ‘0’ && nextChar <= ‘9’); • eof controlled loops
} 1. Read the first data item
cout << “The digit entered was: ” << nextChar <<endl; 2. while the end-of-file has not been detected
… 3. Process the data item
4. Read the next data item

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 eof controlled while Loops eof Function
• end-of-file (eof)-controlled while loop: when • The function eof can determine the end of
it is difficult to select a sentinel value file status.
• the eof character is CTRL-D on the key board • eof is a member of data type istream
(cin) and in files is automatically found at the • Syntax for the function eof:
end of file.
• The logical value returned by cin can • istreamVar is an input stream variable,
determine if there is no more input. such as cin

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This program displays a list of numbers an their squares.

#include <iostream>
eof-controlled while loops (con’t) using namespace std;
const int MIN_NUMBER = 1; const int MAX_NUMBER = 10;
int cntr = 0, total=0, number; int main( )
double average; { int num = MIN_NUMBER;
cout << “Enter some numbers (CTRL-D) to quit: "; cout << "Number Squared\n";
cin >> number; cout << "-------------------------\n";
while(!cin.eof( )) while(num <= MAX_NUMBER)
{ {
total += number; cout << "_ _ _" << num << "_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _" << num * num << endl;
cntr++; num++;
cin >> number; // need new number before eof() is tested again. } Output:
} return 0; Number Squared
average = static_cast<double>(total)/cntr; } ------------------------
1 1
cout << "The total is: " << endl;
2 4
cout << "The average is: " << average << endl;
3 9
…
10 100
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sumScores.cc sumScores.cc
while (score != SENTINEL)
// File: sumScores.cc {
// Accumulates the sum of exam scores. sum += score;
#include <iostream> count++;
using namespace std; if(score >= 90)
const int SENTINEL = -1; cout << “\tGrade is: ‘A’” << endl;
int main() else if(score >= 80) . . .
cout << endl<< "Enter the next score: ";
{ cin >> score;
int score, sum, count, average; }
// Process all exam scores until sentinel is read cout << endl << endl;
count = 0; cout << "Number of scores processed is " << count << endl;
sum = 0; cout << "Sum of exam scores is " << sum << endl;
cout << "Enter scores one at a time as requested." << endl; // Compute and display average score.
cout << "When done, enter " << SENTINEL << " to stop." << endl; if (count > 0)
cout << "Enter the first score: "; {
average = sum / count;
cin >> score; cout << "Average score is " << average;
}
return 0;
}

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5
 // FILE: largest.cc
// FINDS THE LARGEST NUMBER IN A SEQUENCE OF INTEGER VALUES
sumScores.cc #include <iostream> // needed for cin and cout
using namespace std;
const int MIN_VALUE = -32768; // smallest possible integer in given data
Program Output int main ()
Enter the scores one at a time as requested. {
When done, enter -1 to stop. // Local data ...
int itemValue; // each data value
Enter the first score: 55 int largestSoFar; // largest value so far
Grade is ‘C’
// Initialize largestSoFar to the smallest integer.
Enter the next score: 33 largestSoFar = MIN_VALUE;
Grade is ‘D’ do
Enter the next score: 77 {
cout << "Enter a integer, " << MIN_VALUE-1 << " to stop: ";
Grade is ‘B’ cin >> itemValue;
Enter the next score: -1 if (itemValue > largestSoFar)
largestSoFar = itemValue;
}
Sum of exam scores is 165 while (itemValue != MIN_VALUE);
3 exam scores were processed. cout << "The largest value entered was " << largestSoFar << endl;
return 0;
Average of the exam scores is 55.0 }
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Largest.cc c) The for Statement

Program Output – The for loop is similar to the while loop.
– The for loop forces us to write, as part of the for
Finding the largest value in a sequence:
loop:
Enter an integer or -32769 to stop: -999
Enter an integer or -32769 to stop: 500
a) an initializing statement,
Enter an integer or -32769 to stop: 100 b) the loop-test,
Enter an integer or -32769 to stop: -32769 c) a statement that is automatically repeated for each
The largest value entered was 500 iteration, usually a variable increment stmt.
– a for loop is like a while loop in that it is a pre-
test loop.

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General form of a for loop Eg: for-loop

for( initial statement; loop-test; repeated statement)
{
iterative part
– This for-loop is counter controlled.
} – Scope of the loop control variable, cntr, is local
– When a for loop is encountered, within the “for” block.
a. the initial statement is executed. for(int cntr=1; cntr<=5; cntr++)
b. The loop-test is evaluated.
c. If the loop-test is false, the for loop is terminated and exits to
{
the point below the loop. cout << cntr << " ";
d. otherwise the iterative part is executed. }
e. the repeated statement is executed.
cout << endl;
f. go to step b. and continue.
Note the semicolons, not commas! • Output: ?
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 Another for loop Flow chart for a for loop
for(int i=0; i<10; i++)
countEmp = 0
cout << i << “ squared = “ << i * i << endl;
False True
Notice: there are no { } in the body of the for loop since is countEmp < 7?

there is only one statement.

Get Data
Compute Pay
Display Pay
Increase countEmp by 1

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for looping (repetition) structure (cont’d.) for looping (repetition) structure (cont’d.)

• The following is a semantic error:

• The following is a legal (but infinite) for loop:

for (;;)
cout << "Hello" << endl;

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for looping (repetition) structure (cont’d.) for looping (repetition) structure (cont’d.)

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 Nested Loops Nested while-loop
• It is possible to nest loops outer = 1;
while(outer <= 3)
– Loops go inside other loops {
int inner = 1; // Resets for each iteration of the outer loop
– Start with outer jump to inner loop while(inner <= outer)
{
– Inner loop continues until completed cout << outer << " " << inner << endl;
inner = inner + 1; // End of the nested loop
– Control goes back to outer loop and then inner }
loop starts all over again outer = outer + 1; // Increment the outer loop counter
} // End of the outer loop Program output
11
21
22
31
32
33
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Nested for-loops Program Output

// FILE: nestedForLoops.cc i j
#include <iostream> Outer 0
#include <iomanip> Outer 1
int main () Inner 0
{ Outer 2
// display heading Inner 0
cout << setw(12) << "i" << setw(6) << "j" << endl; Inner 1
for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) Outer 3
{ Inner 0
cout << "Outer" << setw (7) << i << endl; Inner 1
for (int j = 0; j < i; j++) Inner 2
cout << " Inner" << setw (10) << j << endl;
}
return 0;
}

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Nested Control Structures Conditional Loops

• To create the following pattern:
***** • When you don’t know the number of iterations
***** use a while or a do-while loop.
*****
***** • When you know the number of iterations use a
***** for loop. eg logarithm table or a table of powers.
• We can use the following code:
for (i = 1; i <= 5 ; i++)
{
for (j = 1; j <= 5; j++)
cout << "*";
cout << endl;
}

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8
 Programming Example: Fibonacci Number Programming Example. Fibonacci Numbers algorithm
Problem: Find first 10 fibonacci numbers
• Consider the following sequence of numbers:
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, .... • enter first two fib seq numbers into n1, n2
• Called the Fibonacci sequence • repeat the following 4 steps 8 times:
• Given the first two numbers of the sequence • set temp = n1 + n2
(say, a1 and a2) • output temp;
– nth number an, n >= 3, of this sequence is given by: • set n1 = n2;
an = an-1 + an-2 • set n2 = temp;
• Write a program to output the first 10 fib seq. • output "good bye"
numbers given the first 2

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A different Fibonacci version Choosing the Right Looping Structure

• ask user which fibonacci number to get, n
• All three loops have their place in C++
• ask user for first two fib numbers, n1,n2 – If you know or can determine in advance the
• repeat the following n steps n-2 times number of repetitions needed, the for loop is
• set temp = n1 + n2; the correct choice
– If you do not know and cannot determine in
• set n1 = n2;
advance the number of repetitions needed, and it
• set n2 = temp; could be zero, use a while loop
• cout << "the <n>th fib # is " << temp; – If you do not know and cannot determine in
advance the number of repetitions needed, and it
is at least one, use a do...while loop

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break and continue statements

break and continue statements (cont’d.)
• break and continue alter the flow of
control • continue is used in while, for, and
• break statement is used for two purposes: do…while structures
– To exit early from a loop • When executed in a loop
• Can eliminate the use of certain (flag) variables – It skips remaining statements and proceeds with
– To skip the remainder of a switch structure the next iteration of the loop
• After break executes, the program continues
with the first statement after the structure

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 Avoiding Bugs by Avoiding Patches Debugging Loops
• Loops are harder to debug than sequence and
• Software patch selection structures
– Piece of code written on top of an existing piece • Most common error associated with loops is
of code off-by-one
– Intended to fix a bug in the original code – for(int i=0; i<5; i++) will loop 5 times
• Some programmers address the symptom of – for(int i=0; i<=5; i++) loops 6 times
the problem by adding a software patch – most often we use the former so if we want to
• Should instead resolve underlying issue loop 6 times use for(int i=0; i<6; i++)
– every convention has its exceptions.

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Summary Summary (cont’d.)

• C++ has three looping (repetition) structures: • while: logical expression is the
– while, for, and do…while decision maker, and statements are the
• while, for, and do are reserved words body of the loop
• while and for loops are called pretest loops • A while loop can be:
• do...while loop is called a posttest loop – Counter-controlled
• while and for may not execute at all, but – Sentinel-controlled
do...while always executes at least once – eof-controlled
• In the UNIX console environment, the end-of-
file marker is entered using Ctrl+d

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Debugging and Testing Programs

Summary (cont’d.)
• for loop: simplifies the writing of a counter- • Modern Integrated Development
controlled while loop Environments (IDEs) include features to help
– Putting a semicolon at the end of the for loop is
you debug a program while it is executing.
a semantic error. • If you cannot use a debugger, insert extra
• Executing a break statement in the body of a diagnostic output statements to display
loop immediately terminates the loop. intermediate results at critical points in your
program.
• Executing a continue statement in the body
of a loop skips to the next iteration.

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10
 Programming Error Helpful Hints
– Coding style and use of braces.
– Infinite loops will “hang you up !!”
– Use comments before and after a loop. This helps to see if
you went into the loop and exited it.
– Test various conditions of loops.
– Add white space between code segments.
– Initialize looping variables inside the for loop. It will not be
recognized outside the loop.
– eg. for(int i = 0; i<4; i++)
cout << i << “. Hello” << endl;
cout << i << endl;
// results in compile error. i is only meant as an index and has
no other meaning.

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