REPETITION  CONTROL  STRUCTURES -  LOOPS (while)

TOPICS

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· The while statement: definition, syntax

· Loop terminology

· Loops using the while statement:

o Counter-controlled loops (definite loops)

o Event-controlled loops  (indefinite loops)

§ Sentinel-controlled loops

§ EOF-controlled loops

§ Flag-controlled loops

· Looping subtasks (counting, summing, etc)

· Choosing the correct type of  loop for a given problem.

· Nested while loops.

· Sample Programs (Program#1, Program #2) and Exercises

OUTLINE

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1. The while statement

• Loop = A control structure that causes a statement or group of statements to be executed repeatedly.
• The reserved word while can be used to repeat a set of statements until a certain condition is met.  A while statement (while loop) will test a condition. Statements may be executed over and over until the condition is met. When the expression is tested and found to be false, the loop is exited and control passes to the statement which follows the loop body.
• Syntax:

while(Expression)//test
{
     <statement>
     <statement>
     .  // loop body
     .  // loop body
}

Note1:  The loop body can be a single statement, a null statement, or a block.
Note2:  Do not put a semicolon after while(Expression) - null statement
Note3:  Do not interchange if and while thinking that both statements have conditional tests. What is the difference?

• while Loop:

• Example 1:

int x = 0;
while ( x <= 10) {
   x = x + 1;
System.out.println("x =  " + x);
}

2.  Loop Terminology

• Loop condition (the expression to be tested) - acts as a decision-maker and it is a logical expression. Also called loop test (the Expression is evaluated and a decision is made to either begin a new iteration or skip to the first statement following the loop.)
• Loop control variable = A variable in the loop condition that is used to determine whether the body of the loop will execute or not.
• Loop body - statements to be repeated. Can be either a simple or compound statement.
• Loop entry =  the point where the control reaches the first statement inside the loop body
• Iteration = repetition of the loop body (each time when the body of the loop is executed)
• Loop exit = the point where the repetition of the loop body ends and control is passed to the first statement following the loop. Note: The loop exit occurs only when the loop test is performed, not midway through the execution of the loop - the current iteration is completed before the while Expression is checked again. In other words, the loop is exited only when control passes to the top of the loop and the termination condition is found to be true. If the control enters the loop body, execution of the body is completed before the next test is made.
• Termination condition = the condition that causes the loop to be exited.  Note: In a while loop, the termination condition is that the while Expression becomes false.
• A loop that continues to execute endlessly is called an infinite loop.

3. Loops Using the while Statement

• Types of loops:
• Counter-controlled loops - repeat a specified number of times (when you know upfront the number of iterations)
• Event-controlled loops - some condition within the loop body changes and this causes the repeating to stop and the loop to be exited (when you don't know the exact number of iterations). The termination condition depends on some event occurring while the loop body is executing. Types:
• Sentinel controlled - keep processing data until a special value (which is not a possible data value) is entered to indicate that processing should stop
• End-of-file controlled - keep processing data as long as there is more data in the file
• Flag controlled - keep processing data until the value of a flag (usually a boolean variable) changes in the loop body

Example of types of loops:

Counter-controlled loop	Read exactly 100 numbers
Sentinel-controlled loop	Read some numbers, until a special value, chosen by you, which is not a legal  value, is found
End-of-file controlled loop	Read all the numbers in the file, no matter how many they are
Flag-controlled loop	Read some numbers, until a special value is found. When found, change the value of the flag.

Another example: The "temperature" problem (to be discussed with all types of loops)

Counter-controlled loop	Read exactly 100 temperatures
Sentinel-controlled loop	Read temperatures, until a special value, chosen by you, which is not a legal  value, is found (Ex: temp = 999)
End-of-file controlled loop	Read all temperatures in the file, no matter how many they are
Flag-controlled loop	Read temperatures, until a dangerously high value (Ex: temp >= 200) is found. When found, change the value of the flag (from true/false to false/true).

•  For all types of loops, 3 basic design rules:

                    1. Initialize:  the loop-control variable should be somehow initialized before the loop
                    2. Test (for continuing the loop)
                    3. Update:  the loop-control variable should be somehow updated inside the loop (to avoid infinite loops)

• Counter-controlled loops:
• Use a counter in the loop test.
• Design rules:

1. Initialize the counter before the loop
2. Test (for continuing the loop)
3. Update:  the counter should be updated inside the loop

• The syntax for a counter-controlled while loop looks like this (pseudocode):

int N = some value either inputted by the user, or some specified value;
int counter = 0; //initialize
while (counter < N) //test
{
    statements
    ...
    counter++; //update
}

• Example 2:  Discuss and analyze the output. What should be done to print the values in reverse order?

int counter = 0; // initialize counter
while(counter <= 4) // test
{
System.out.print("\t" + counter); // repeated action
   counter++ ;  // update counter
}
System.out.println("\nDone");

• Example 3:

int number = 1;

while (number <= 200) {
System.out.print(number + " ");
     number *= 2;
 }
 SAMPLE OUTPUT:
 1 2 4 8 16 32 64 128

• Example: The "temperature" problem (with a counter-controlled loop)

// Counter-controlled loop
import java.util.Scanner;

class Temp_Counter {
    public static final int MAX = 10;

    public static void main(String[] args){
//Declarations
        Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
        double temp;
        double sum = 0;
        double avg;
int loopCount = 1; //initialize counter
        while (loopCount <= MAX) //test counter: exactly MAX iterations
        {
System.out.print("Enter a temperature: ");
            temp = input.nextDouble();
            sum = sum + temp;
loopCount = loopCount + 1;//update counter
        }
avg = sum / MAX;
System.out.println("\nThe average temperature is: " + avg);
    }
}

SAMPLE OUTPUT:
Enter a temperature: 39
Enter a temperature: 56
Enter a temperature: 34
Enter a temperature: 56
Enter a temperature: 78
Enter a temperature: 67
Enter a temperature: 56
Enter a temperature: 78
Enter a temperature: 89
Enter a temperature: 59
The average temperature is: 61.2

• Event-controlled loops

•  You might not know exactly how many times a set of statements needs to be executed, but you do know that the statements need to be executed until a particular event takes place. In other words, you don't know the exact number of iterations.
• Example 4: This loop will never be executed. Why?

....
char answer;
Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);

while (answer == 'Y') {
System.out.println("Hello, hello!");
System.out.print("Continue?(y/n): ");
    answer = input.next().charAt(0);
}

Example 5: This loop will be executed forever. Why?

....
char answer;
answer = 'y';
while (answer == 'y') {
System.out.println("Hello, hello!");
}

Note: Pay attention when testing for equality!

while(ans = 'y') // wrong! Don't use =, but ==
while(ans == 'y'); // wrong! Don't use ; after while
while((ans =='Y') && (ans =='y')) // wrong! Can't be both
while((ans =='Y') || (ans =='y')) // CORRECT

• Sentinel-controlled loops: a special data value (called a sentinel or a trailer value) is used to signal the program that there is no more data to be processed. The loop stops when the sentinel is recognized by the program - the event that controls the loop is reading the sentinel. In general, a sentinel value must be something that never shows up in a normal input. Its value is dictated by the problem solved.
• How it works:  you read the first item before entering the while statement. If this item does not equal the sentinel, the body of the while statement executes. The while loop continues to execute as long as the program has not read the sentinel.
• Design rules:

1. Initialize: The first set of data values have to be read ==> read just before entering the loop - priming read
2. Test the sentinel
3. Update: The next set of data value has to be read ==> the last statement inside the loop body - next read.

• The syntax for a sentinel-controlled while loop looks like this (pseudocode):

     Priming read: input first data item into variable; //initialize sentinel

while (variable != sentinel) //test sentinel
{
    statements
    ...
    ...
    Next read: input a data item into variable; //update sentinel
}

• Example 6:

while(temp != 999) //incorrect, temp was not initialized
{
System.out.print("Enter a temperature(999 to stop) ";
    temp = input.nextDouble();
    sum = sum + temp;
    ... ...
}

• Example 7:

System.out.print("Enter a temperature(999 to stop) ";
temp = input.nextDouble(); // CORRECT, priming read before loop
while(temp != 999) //test sentinel
{
System.out.print("Enter a temperature (999 to stop) ";
    temp = input.nextDouble(); //incorrect, next read should be at the end of the loop
    sum = sum + temp;
    ... ...
}

• Example 8:

System.out.print("Enter a temperature(999 to stop) ";
temp = input.nextDouble(); // CORRECT, priming read before loop
while(temp != 999) //test sentinel
{
    ...  ...
    sum = sum + temp;
    ...  ...
System.out.print("Enter a temperature(999 to stop) ";
    temp = input.nextDouble(); //CORRECT, next read at the end of the loop
}

• Example: The "temperature" problem (with a sentinel-controlled loop)

// Sentinel-controlled loop
import java.util.Scanner;

class Temp_Sentinel_2 {
    public static final int SENTINEL = 999;
    public static void main(String[] args){
        //Declarations
        Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
        double temp;
        double sum = 0;
        double avg;
int count = 0;
System.out.print("Enter a temperature(" + SENTINEL + " to stop): ");
        temp = input.nextDouble(); //priming read
        while (temp != SENTINEL)   //test sentinel
        {
            sum = sum + temp;
            count = count + 1;
System.out.print("Enter a temperature(" + SENTINEL + " to stop): ");
            temp = input.nextDouble(); //next read
        }
        if(count != 0) {
avg = sum / count;
System.out.printf("\nThe average temperature is: %6.2f", avg);
System.out.println();
        }
        else
System.out.println("ERROR! NO input, NO output!!!");
}
}

SAMPLE OUTPUT:
FIRST RUN:
Enter a temperature(999 to stop): 999
ERROR! NO input, NO output!!!
SECOND RUN:
Enter a temperature(999 to stop): 87
Enter a temperature(999 to stop): 86
Enter a temperature(999 to stop): 79
Enter a temperature(999 to stop): 58
Enter a temperature(999 to stop): 69
Enter a temperature(999 to stop): 94
Enter a temperature(999 to stop): 87
Enter a temperature(999 to stop): 91
Enter a temperature(999 to stop): 999
The average temperature is:  81.38

• End-of-file-controlled loops: depend on fact that a file goes into fail state when you try to read a data value beyond the end of the file - to be discussed later.
• Flag-controlled loops: use a boolean variable (called a flag variable) to control the logical flow of the program. How it works: set the boolean variable to true before the loop and reset it to false when you need to exit the loop.
• Design rules:

1. Initialize a flag (to true or false). Make sure that you use a meaningful name for the flag
2. Test the flag in the loop test expression.
3. Update: A condition in the loop body changes the value of the flag (to false or true)

• The syntax for this loop can be similar to the following (pseudocode):

boolean found = false;
while(!found)
{
    ...
    ...
    if(expression)
        found = true;
    ...
}

• The "temperature" problem (with a flag-controlled loop):

// Flag-controlled loop
import java.util.Scanner;

class Temp_Flag {
    public static void main(String[] args){
        //Declarations
        Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
        double temp;
        double sum = 0;
        double avg;
int count = 0;
boolean isSafe = true; //initialize flag
        while (isSafe)   //test flag
        {
System.out.print("Enter a temperature(>= 200 to stop): ");
            temp = input.nextDouble();
            if (temp >=  200)
isSafe = false; //update flag
            else {
                sum = sum + temp;
                count = count + 1;
            }
        }
        if(count != 0) {
avg = sum / count;
System.out.printf("\nThe average temperature is: %6.2f", avg);
System.out.println();
        }
        else
System.out.println("ERROR! NO input, NO output!!!");
}
}

SAMPLE OUTPUT:
FIRST RUN:
Enter a temperature(>= 200 to stop): 999
ERROR! NO input, NO output!!!
SECOND RUN:
Enter a temperature(>= 200 to stop): 78
Enter a temperature(>= 200 to stop): 89
Enter a temperature(>= 200 to stop): 80
Enter a temperature(>= 200 to stop): 77
Enter a temperature(>= 200 to stop): 67
Enter a temperature(>= 200 to stop): 85
Enter a temperature(>= 200 to stop): 333
The average temperature is:  79.33

• Example 9: Sum all positive integers input from user; stop when a negative value is entered.

  // Flag-controlled loop

import java.util.Scanner;

class Flag_Negative {
    public static void main(String[] args){
//Declarations
        Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
boolean nonNegative;
int sum = 0;
int number;
nonNegative = true; //initialize flag
        while (nonNegative) { //test flag: default test done for true
System.out.print("Enter a number(negative to stop) ");
            number = input.nextInt();
            if (number < 0)  //test the condition to change the flag
nonNegative = false; //(reset)update flag
            else
                sum = sum + number;
        }
System.out.println("\nThe sum of all positive #s is: " + sum);
    }
}

SAMPLE OUTPUT:
FIRST RUN:
Enter a number(negative to stop) -1
The sum of all positive #s is: 0
SECOND RUN:
Enter a number(negative to stop) 1
Enter a number(negative to stop) 2
Enter a number(negative to stop) 3
Enter a number(negative to stop) 4
Enter a number(negative to stop) 5
Enter a number(negative to stop) -1
The sum of all positive #s is: 15

• Looping Subtasks:

a) Counting all data values: count the number of iterations in a loop by using an iteration counter (a counter variable that is incremented with each iteration). Note: the loop control variable of a counter-controlled loop is an iteration counter. However, not all iteration counters are loop control variables (See the example with the average temperature).
b) Counting special data values. Example: the sum of all odd (or even) numbers in a sequence of random numbers; the number of positive (or negative) numbers in a sequence of random numbers, etc. An event control has to be used.
c) Summing data values: you need an accumulator. Example:

Counter-controlled loop

Sentinel-controlled loop

import java.util.Scanner; class Loop_Counter {   public static void main(String[] args){ //Declarations     Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);  int number, how_many; int sum = 0;  int count = 1; // initialize counter System.out.print("How many numbers in input? "); how_many = input.nextInt();     while(how_many <=0) {//validate input System.out.print("\nERROR! Should be positive. Reenter: "); how_many = input.nextInt();     }     while (count <= how_many) { //test counter       number = input.nextInt(); // input a value       sum = sum + number; // update sum       count++; // increment counter     } System.out.println("Sum = " + sum);   } } SAMPLE OUTPUT: How many numbers in input? 5 1 2 3 4 5 Sum = 15

import java.util.Scanner; class Loop_YesNo {   public static void main(String[] args){ //Declarations     Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);  int number; int sum = 0;      char ans; System.out.print("Input values and get the sum?(Y/N): "); ans = input.next().charAt(0); // priming read     while (ans == 'Y' || ans == 'y') { //test sentinel System.out.print("Enter a number: ");       number = input.nextInt(); // input a value       sum = sum + number; // update sum System.out.print("\nDo you want to continue? (Y/N): "); ans = input.next().charAt(0); // next read     } System.out.println("Sum = " + sum);   } } SAMPLE OUTPUT: FIRST RUN: Input values and get the sum?(Y/N): n Sum = 0 SECOND RUN: Input values and get the sum?(Y/N): y Enter a number: 1 Do you want to continue? (Y/N): )y Enter a number: 2 Do you want to continue? (Y/N): )y Enter a number: 3 Do you want to continue? (Y/N): )y Enter a number: 4 Do you want to continue? (Y/N): )n Sum = 10

Example 10: Count and sum the first ten odd numbers in a data set.

import java.util.Scanner;

class FirstTenOdd {
    public static final int MAX = 10;
    public static void main(String[] args){
        Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
int sum = 0;
int count = 0;
boolean flag = true; // initialize  flag
int number;

        while (flag) // test flag
        {
            number = input.nextInt();
            if (number % 2 == 1) // test for odd number
            {
                count++;
                if (count <= MAX)
                    sum = sum + number;
                else
                    flag = false; // update  flag
            }
        }
System.out.println("The sum of first " + MAX + " odd numbers is: " + sum);
    }
}

d) Keeping track of a previous and current value: when you need to remember the previous value of a variable.

4. How to Design Loops

• (Checklist) Points to be considered when designing a loop:

1. What is the condition that ends the loop?
2. How should the condition be initialized?
3. How should the condition be updated?
4. What is the process being repeated?
5. How should the process be initialized?
6. How should the process be updated?
7. What is the state of the program when exiting the loop?

Where:

1 - 3  =  designing the flow control
4 - 6  =  processing within the loop
      7  =  the loop exit

• Designing the Flow Control

1. Counter-Controlled Loops

• Initialize the iteration counter to 0/1 (or some max value if moving down).
• Increment (or decrement) the iteration counter at the end of each iteration.

2. Sentinel-Controlled Loops

• The priming read may be the only initialization necessary.

3. EOF-Controlled Loops

• Same initialization as in sentinel-controlled loops (open the file, do a priming read).

4. Flag-Controlled Loops

• Initialize the flag variable to true or false, as appropriate.
• Update the flag variable as soon as the condition changes.
• Designing the Process within the Loop
• The Loop Exit

5. Nested Loops

• General pattern:

initialize outer loop
while(outer loop condition)
{
    . . .
    initialize inner loop
    while(inner loop condition)
    {
       . . .
       inner loop update
    }
    outer loop update
    . . .
}

• Each loop has its own initialization, test, and update.
• To design a nested loop:
• begin with the outer loop
• when you get to where the inner loop appears, make it a separate module and come back to its design later.
• Finally, for all loops, be extra careful with these:
• Don't use  the assignment operator (=) instead of = = operator
• Avoid unintended null statements (don't use ; after while)
• Don't fail to use braces when required
• Don't forget indentation! Indent only the body of the loop, not the entire while statement.
• Avoid infinite loops (syntax or logic related)!
• Problem: Print the average blood pressure for different people. Each input has a patient ID, the number of readings for that patient, followed by the actual blood pressure readings.

Sample input:

  ID#      #Readings            ___            Actual readings
4567                   5           180   140   153   170   130
2318                   2                                      170   215
5232                   3                             150   151   145

Sample Output:

For patient ID#:  4567  average BP =   154.60
For patient ID#:  2318  average BP =   192.50
For patient ID#:  5232   average BP =  148.66
...
  ...
  ...
There were 432 patients.

The Algorithm:

1. Initialize patientCount to 0
2. Get  first  patient ID
3. while patient ID not 0
      Get how many readings for this patient

 Increment patientCount
 use a count-controlled loop to read and sum up this patient’s howMany BP’s
 calculate average for patient

      Display ID and average for patient

 Get next patient ID

4. Display patientCount(how many patients)

The Java Program:
import java.util.Scanner;

class Medical {
    public static final int SENTINEL = 0;

    public static void main(String[] args){
//Declarations
        Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
int patientCount=0; // counter for the number of patients
int thisID; // patient ID
int howMany; // how many readings for patient
int thisBP; // current blood pressure
int totalForPatient;
int count; // counter for inner loop
        double average; // average BP for patient
System.out.print("Enter patient ID(" + SENTINEL + " to stop): ");
thisID = input.nextInt(); // priming read for outer loop
        while(thisID != SENTINEL) // test sentinel (outer loop)
       {
System.out.print("How many readings? ");
howMany = input.nextInt();
            while(howMany <= 0) { //validate user input
System.out.println("ERROR!!!Must be positive!");
System.out.print(" How many readings? ");
howMany = input.nextInt();
            }
patientCount++;
totalForPatient = 0;
            count = 0; // initialize inner loop counter
            while (count < howMany) // test counter (inner loop)
            {
System.out.print("Enter reading for this patient: ");
thisBP = input.nextInt();
                count++; //update inner loop counter
totalForPatient = totalForPatient + thisBP;
            } //close inner loop
            average = totalForPatient / (double)(howMany);
System.out.printf("For patient ID#: " + thisID + " average BP = %6.2f", average);
System.out.print("\nEnter patient ID (" + SENTINEL + " to stop): ");
thisID = input.nextInt(); // next read for outer loop
        } //close outer loop
System.out.println(patientCount + " patients have been tested.\n");
    } //close main()
} //close class

SAMPLE OUTPUT:
FIRST RUN:
Enter patient ID(0 to stop): 0
0 patients have been tested.
SECOND RUN:
Enter patient ID(0 to stop): 12345
How many readings? 2
Enter reading for this patient: 132
Enter reading for this patient: 137
For patient ID#: 12345 average BP = 134.50
Enter patient ID(0 to stop): 12346
How many readings? 3
Enter reading for this patient: 144
Enter reading for this patient: 147
Enter reading for this patient: 160
For patient ID#: 12346 average BP = 150.33
Enter patient ID(0 to stop): 0
2 patients have been tested.

Program #1: Employee's weekly wages
// ***************************************************
//  Payroll program
//  This program computes each employee’s weekly wages
//  and the total company payroll
// ***************************************************
import java.util.Scanner;

class WeeklyWages {
    public static final double MAX_HOURS = 40.0; // Maximum normal hours
    public static final double OVERTIME = 1.5;   // Overtime pay factor
    public static final int SENTINEL = 0;

    public static void main(String[] args){
//Declarations
        Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
        double     payRate; //  Employee’s pay rate
        double     hours;   //  Hours  worked
        double    wages;    //  Wages earned
int empNum;   //  Employee  ID  number
        double    total;    //  Total company payroll
        total = 0.0;
System.out.print("Enter employee number: ");
empNum = input.nextInt();  // priming read
        while (empNum != SENTINEL) // test sentinel
        {
System.out.print("Enter pay rate: ");
payRate = input.nextDouble();
System.out.print("Enter hours worked: ");
            hours = input.nextDouble();
            if( hours > MAX_HOURS)
                wages = (MAX_HOURS * payRate ) + (hours - MAX_HOURS) * payRate * OVERTIME;
            else
                wages  =  hours * payRate;
System.out.println("This week wages for the employee with ID " + empNum + " are $" + wages);
            total = total + wages;
System.out.print("Enter employee number: ");
empNum = input.nextInt();  // next read
        }
System.out.println("\nTotal company payroll is: " + total);
   }
}

SAMPLE OUTPUT:
Enter employee number: 12345
Enter pay rate: 23.6
Enter hours worked: 44
This week wages for the employee with ID 12345 are $1085.6
Enter employee number: 12346
Enter pay rate: 32.7
Enter hours worked: 60
This week wages for the employee with ID 12346 are $2289.0
Enter employee number: 0
Total company payroll is: 3374.6

Program #2: Display the first 50 positive even integers five to a line.

import java.util.Scanner;
class Display {
    public static final int MAX_COUNT = 50;

    public static void main(String[] args){
int n = 1;   // initialize
        while(n <= MAX_COUNT ) //test
        {
System.out.printf("%6d", n * 2);
           // if n is divisible by 5, output a line feed.
            if (n % 5 == 0 )
System.out.println();
            n++; // update
        }
    } //close main()
} //close class

SAMPLE OUTPUT:
     2     4     6     8    10
    12    14    16    18    20
    22    24    26    28    30
    32    34    36    38    40
    42    44    46    48    50
    52    54    56    58    60
    62    64    66    68    70
    72    74    76    78    80
    82    84    86    88    90
    92    94    96    98   100

Exercises:

1. String example - use functions length()and charAt(). What is the output?

import java.util.Scanner;
class Display {
    public static void main(String[] args){
        //Declarations
        String name;
int position = 0;
        Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
System.out.print("Enter name: ");
        name = input.nextLine();
        while(position < name.length()) {
System.out.println(name.charAt(position));
            position++;
        }
    }
}

1. What is the output?

...
int limit = 5;
int j = 1;
while(j < limit) {
    if(j % 2 == 0)
        j++:
}

System.out.println("j = " + j);

2. What is the output?

...
int m = 1;
int n = 3;
while(m < 15 && n < 20) {
    m = m + 1;
    n = n + 2;
}
System.out.println("The sum is " + (m + n));

---

References:
[1] Building Java Programs: A Back to Basics Approach, by Stuart Reges, and Marty Stepp, Addison Wesley, 2008.
[2] Java Programming: From Problem Analysis to Program Design, by D.S. Malik, Thomson Course Technology, 2008