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Any programming language's basic elements, control flow structures let you make choices and repeat activities. The Python control flow methods will be covered in detail in this article, including conditional statements (if, elif, else), loops (for, while), and the powerful break and continue commands. I used screen shots of the code to clearly explain each topic. so that you can solve the provided code in a Jupyter notebook with ease. You'll have a solid idea on how to work through and manage the flow of your Python programs by the end of this guide.
1. Conditional Statements:
Conditional statements are used to execute different code blocks based on specific conditions. The "if", "elif", and "else" statements are essential tools for decision-making.
- "if" statement: Executes a block of code if a condition is true.
- "elif" statement: Allows you to check additional conditions if the previous condition(s) were false.
- "else" statement: Executes a block of code if none of the previous conditions were true.
Example:
2. Loops and Iteration:
Loops enable you to repeat a set of instructions multiple times. Python offers two primary types of loops: "for" and "while".
- "for" loop: Iterates over a sequence (e.g., a list or range) a specified number of times.
- "while" loop: Repeats as long as a condition is true.
Example (for loop):
Example (while loop):
3. Break and Continue Statements:
- "break": Terminates the loop prematurely, even if the loop condition is still true.
- "continue": Skips the current iteration and proceeds to the next iteration of the loop.
Example (break):
Example (continue):
Putting It All Together:
Let's create a program that checks whether a number is prime using a "while" loop and conditional statements:
Conclusion:
Learning Python's control flow allows you to build dynamic, flexible programs that quickly repeat tasks and respond to changing conditions. The break and continue commands, conditional statements, and loops give you the tools you need to generate complex algorithms and address practical issues. Keep in mind that control flow is at the core of any Python program you build as you continue your programming adventure.
Coding is fun!