Nested loop execution in C Sharp (C#) - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Nested loop execution

📖 Scenario: You are organizing a small event where you want to greet each guest with a special message for each day of the event. You will use nested loops to print these greetings.

🎯 Goal: Build a program that uses nested loops to print a greeting message for each guest for each day of the event.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create an array of guest names

Create an integer variable for the number of days

Use nested for loops to print greetings for each guest for each day

Print the greeting messages in the format: "Hello, [Guest]! Welcome to day [Day]!"

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Nested loops are useful when you need to perform repeated actions inside other repeated actions, such as scheduling, seating arrangements, or generating tables.

💼 Career

Understanding nested loops is essential for programming tasks like data processing, simulations, and building user interfaces that require multiple levels of iteration.

1

Create the guest list

Create a string array called guests with these exact names: "Alice", "Bob", "Charlie".

C Sharp (C#)

// Your code here

Hint

Use string[] guests = { "Alice", "Bob", "Charlie" }; to create the array.

2

Set the number of days

Create an integer variable called days and set it to 3.

C Sharp (C#)

string[] guests = { "Alice", "Bob", "Charlie" };
// Your code here

Hint

Use int days = 3; to set the number of days.

3

Write nested loops for greetings

Use nested for loops with variables i and j to iterate over guests and days. Inside the inner loop, create a string variable message with the value: $"Hello, {guests[i]}! Welcome to day {j + 1}!".

C Sharp (C#)

string[] guests = { "Alice", "Bob", "Charlie" };
int days = 3;
// Your code here

Hint

Use two for loops: outer loop for guests, inner loop for days. Use string interpolation for the message.

4

Print the greeting messages

Inside the inner for loop, add a Console.WriteLine(message); statement to print each greeting message.

C Sharp (C#)

string[] guests = { "Alice", "Bob", "Charlie" };
int days = 3;
for (int i = 0; i < guests.Length; i++)
{
    for (int j = 0; j < days; j++)
    {
        string message = $"Hello, {guests[i]}! Welcome to day {j + 1}!";
        // Your code here
    }
}

Hint

Use Console.WriteLine(message); inside the inner loop to print each message.

Practice

1. What happens when you use a nested loop in C#?

easy

A. Both loops run at the same time independently.

B. The outer loop runs only once and the inner loop runs multiple times.

C. The loops run only if a condition outside the loops is true.

D. The inner loop runs completely for each iteration of the outer loop.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand nested loop structure

   In nested loops, the outer loop controls how many times the inner loop runs fully.

2. Step 2: Analyze loop execution order

   For each iteration of the outer loop, the inner loop runs from start to finish before the outer loop moves to the next iteration.

3. Final Answer:

   The inner loop runs completely for each iteration of the outer loop. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Nested loops = inner loop runs fully each outer loop [OK]

Hint: Inner loop finishes all steps per outer loop step [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking both loops run simultaneously
• Assuming outer loop runs only once
• Confusing loop execution order

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax for a nested for loop in C#?

easy

A. for(int i = 0; i < 3; i++) { for(int j = 0; j < 2; j++) { Console.WriteLine(i + j); } }

B. for i in range(3) { for j in range(2) { Console.WriteLine(i + j); } }

C. for(int i = 0; i < 3; i++) for(int j = 0; j < 2; j++) Console.WriteLine(i + j); }

D. foreach(int i = 0; i < 3; i++) { foreach(int j = 0; j < 2; j++) { Console.WriteLine(i + j); } }

Solution

1. Step 1: Check C# for loop syntax

   The correct for loop uses parentheses with initialization, condition, and increment separated by semicolons.

2. Step 2: Verify nested loop braces and statements

   for(int i = 0; i < 3; i++) { for(int j = 0; j < 2; j++) { Console.WriteLine(i + j); } } correctly nests two for loops with braces and valid syntax. Other options use incorrect syntax or keywords.

3. Final Answer:

   for(int i = 0; i < 3; i++) { for(int j = 0; j < 2; j++) { Console.WriteLine(i + j); } } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   C# for loop syntax = for(int i = 0; i < 3; i++) { for(int j = 0; j < 2; j++) { Console.WriteLine(i + j); } } [OK]

Hint: Remember C# for loop uses semicolons inside parentheses [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Python-like syntax in C#
• Missing semicolons in for loop
• Using foreach incorrectly for numeric loops

3. What is the output of this C# code?

for(int i = 1; i <= 2; i++) {
  for(int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {
    Console.Write(i * j + " ");
  }
  Console.WriteLine();
}

medium

A. 6 12

B. 1 2 3
2 4 6

C. 1 1 1
2 2 2

D. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Solution

1. Step 1: Trace outer loop values

   Outer loop i runs from 1 to 2 (two iterations).

2. Step 2: Calculate inner loop outputs per i

   For i=1, inner loop j=1 to 3 outputs 1*1=1, 1*2=2, 1*3=3. For i=2, inner loop outputs 2*1=2, 2*2=4, 2*3=6.

3. Final Answer:

   1 2 3 2 4 6 -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Nested loops multiply i and j = output lines [OK]

Hint: Multiply outer and inner loop counters for output [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing loop ranges
• Printing without spaces or newlines
• Mixing up i and j in multiplication

4. Identify the error in this nested loop code:

for(int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
  for(int j = 0; j < 2; j++)
    Console.WriteLine(i + j);
  }
}

medium

A. Extra closing brace '}' after the inner loop.

B. Missing semicolon after Console.WriteLine statement.

C. Incorrect loop condition in the outer loop.

D. Variable j is not declared.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check braces matching

   There is an extra closing brace '}' after the inner loop which causes a syntax error.

2. Step 2: Verify other syntax elements

   Console.WriteLine has correct syntax, loops have valid conditions, and variables are declared properly.

3. Final Answer:

   Extra closing brace '}' after the inner loop. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Brace mismatch = syntax error [OK]

Hint: Count opening and closing braces carefully [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring extra or missing braces
• Assuming missing semicolon error
• Confusing variable declaration errors

5. You want to print a multiplication table from 1 to 3 using nested loops in C#. Which code correctly prints the table with rows and columns aligned?

hard

A. for(int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) { for(int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) { Console.Write(i*j); } Console.WriteLine(); }

B. for(int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) { for(int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) { Console.WriteLine(i*j); } }

C. for(int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) { for(int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) { Console.Write($"{i*j,4}"); } Console.WriteLine(); }

D. for(int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) { for(int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) { Console.WriteLine($"{i}*{j}={i*j}"); } Console.WriteLine(); }

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand formatting for aligned output

   Using Console.Write with format specifier {value,4} aligns numbers in columns with 4 spaces width.

2. Step 2: Check nested loop and output structure

   for(int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) { for(int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) { Console.Write($"{i*j,4}"); } Console.WriteLine(); } prints products in a grid with spaces, then moves to next line after inner loop finishes, creating a table.

3. Final Answer:

   for(int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) { for(int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) { Console.Write($"{i*j,4}"); } Console.WriteLine(); } -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Formatted nested loops print aligned multiplication table [OK]

Hint: Use Console.Write with alignment specifier for columns [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Console.WriteLine inside inner loop causing new lines
• Not formatting output for alignment
• Missing Console.WriteLine after inner loop