Chapter 5: Problem 2

Describe the difference between pretest loops and posttest loops.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: The main difference between pretest loops and posttest loops lies in when the loop condition is checked. In pretest loops, the condition is checked before the loop body is executed, which means the loop may not execute at all if the condition is initially false. On the other hand, in posttest loops, the condition is checked after the loop body has been executed, ensuring that the loop body runs at least once even if the condition is initially false.

Step by step solution

Pretest loops (Introduction)

Pretest loops are programming constructs where the condition for looping is checked before the loop is executed. If the condition is false at the beginning, the loop will not execute at all. Examples of pretest loops include `while` and `for` loops in most programming languages.

Pretest loop example

Let's look at an example of a pretest loop using a `while` loop in Python: ```python count = 0 while count < 5: print("count =", count) count += 1 ``` In this code, the loop checks if `count` is less than 5 before executing the loop body. If the initial value of `count` were greater than or equal to 5, the loop would not execute at all.

Posttest loops (Introduction)

Posttest loops are programming constructs where the condition for looping is checked after the loop has been executed at least once. Regardless of the initial condition, the loop body will execute at least once. The `do-while` loop is an example of a posttest loop (not available in Python, but can be found in other languages like C++ or Java).

Posttest loop example

Let's look at an example of a posttest loop using a `do-while` loop in C++: ```cpp #include int count = 0; do { std::cout << "count = " << count << std::endl; count++; } while (count < 5); ``` In this code, the condition is checked after the loop body has been executed. So even if the initial value of `count` were greater than or equal to 5, the loop body would execute at least once.

Comparing Pretest and Posttest loops

In summary, the main difference between pretest loops and posttest loops lies in when the loop condition is checked. - In pretest loops, the condition is checked before the loop body is executed, and the loop may not execute at all if the condition is false from the beginning. - In posttest loops, the condition is checked after the loop body is executed, ensuring that the loop body runs at least once even if the condition is false initially.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Computer Science Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Describe the difference between pretest loops and posttest loops.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Pretest loops (Introduction)

Pretest loop example

Posttest loops (Introduction)

Posttest loop example

Comparing Pretest and Posttest loops

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Computer Science Textbooks

Issues in Computer Science

Databases

Computer Programming

Functional Programming

Computer Network

Big Data

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.