# Loops in Java

Loops can execute a block of code as long as a specified condition is reached. They are handy because they save time, reduce errors, and they make code more readable.

## While Loop

The `while` loop loops through a block of code as long as a specified condition is `true`. Syntax:

```
while (condition) {
  // code block to be executed
}
```


In the example below, the code in the loop will run, over and over again, as long as a variable ‘ i ’ is less than 5. Example:

```
int i = 0;
while (i < 5) {
  System.out.println(i);
  i++;
}
```


## Do/While Loop

The `do/while` loop is a variant of the `while` loop. This loop will execute the code block once, before checking if the condition is true, then it will repeat the loop as long as the condition is true. Syntax:

```
do {
  // code block to be executed
}
while (condition);
```


The example below uses a `do/while` loop. The loop will always be executed at least once, even if the condition is false, because the code block is executed before the condition is tested. Example:

```
int i = 0;
do {
  System.out.println(i);
  i++;
}
while (i < 5);
```


## For Loop

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);
}
```


## 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 `break` statement can also be used to jump out of a **loop**.

This example jumps out of the loop when i is equal to 4:

```
for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
  if (i == 4) {
    break;
  }
  System.out.println(i);
}
```


## Java Continue

The `continue` statement breaks one iteration (in the loop), if a specified condition occurs, and continues with the next iteration in the loop.

This example skips the value of 4:

```
for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
  if (i == 4) {
    continue;
  }
  System.out.println(i);
}
```