JavaScript is a widely used programming language in the world of web development. One of the loops provided by JavaScript is the “while” loop. In this article, I will explain the basics of the while loop in JavaScript and share some usage examples.
What is a While Loop?
A while loop is used to repeatedly execute a block of code as long as a specific condition is true. The condition is checked before each iteration of the loop, and as long as the condition remains true, the loop continues. When the condition becomes false, the loop ends and the program exits the specified block.
Using the While Loop
while (condition) {
// This block runs as long as the condition is true
// The condition must eventually become false, otherwise an infinite loop will occur
}
Usage Examples
Summing Numbers:
let total = 0;
let number = 1;
while (number <= 10) {
total += number;
number++;
}
console.log("Total:", total); // Output: 55
User Input Validation:
let password = "";
while (password !== "secure") {
password = prompt("Please enter your password:");
}
console.log("Correct password entered.");
Waiting Until a Condition is Met:
let ready = false;
while (!ready) {
console.log("System not ready, please wait...");
// Wait until the system is ready
// Then, set the ready variable to true and the loop will end
}
console.log("System ready, processing can begin.");
Conclusion
The while loop is an excellent tool for repeatedly executing a block of code as long as a specific condition is true. However, caution must be exercised because if the condition doesn’t eventually become false, an infinite loop may occur. We hope this article has helped you understand the basics of the while loop, along with the examples shared.