Learn how to use the else clause with Python loops. Explore for and while else with examples, syntax, and practical use cases for better control flow understanding..
else Clause in Loopsfor loopwhile loopIn Python, the else clause can be used with loops (for and while). This may be surprising at first since most people associate else with if statements. However, in loops, the else clause has a unique behavior:
else block is executed only if the loop completes all its iterations without encountering a break statement.break, the else block is skipped.The else clause in loops (for and while) in Python is a bit unusual because most people associate else with if statements. In the context of loops, the else clause is executed only when the loop finishes normally, meaning it wasn’t interrupted by a break statement.
else Clause in LoopsThe else clause can be used with both for and while loops in Python. Here’s the general syntax:
for item in iterable:
# Code block to execute for each item
if condition:
break # Exit the loop early
else:
# Code block to execute if the loop completes without a break
while condition:
# Code block to execute while the condition is True
if condition_to_break:
break # Exit the loop early
else:
# Code block to execute if the loop completes without a break
How It Works:
for loop:
else block runs if the loop completes all its iterations without hitting a break.break, the else block is skipped.while loop:
else block runs if the while loop condition becomes False naturally.break, the else block is skipped.for loopLet’s say we’re searching for a specific number in a list.
# List of numbers
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
# Number we want to find
target = 6
# Iterate over the list
for num in numbers:
if num == target:
print("Found the target!")
break
else:
print("Target not found in the list.")
Explanation:
target.else clause is skipped.break), the else block runs, printing “Target not found in the list.”
while loop# Counter
i = 1
# Loop condition
while i <= 5:
if i == 3:
print("Breaking the loop")
break
print(i)
i += 1
else:
print("Loop finished without breaking.")
Explanation:
i is less than or equal to 5.i equals 3, the loop breaks.else block is skipped.for loop in Python is a programming statement that repeats a block of code a fixed number of times.
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