Loops (repeating actions) in Intro to Computing - Flowchart & Logic Diagram

Process Overview

A loop is a way to repeat a set of actions until a condition is met. It helps computers do tasks multiple times without writing the same steps again and again.

Flowchart

Initialize counter

Yes No↓

Perform action

↓

Increase counter

This flowchart shows a loop that repeats an action 5 times. It starts by setting a counter, checks if the counter is less than 5, performs the action if yes, increases the counter, and repeats until the counter reaches 5.

Step-by-Step Trace - 8 Steps

Step 1: Start and set counter to 0

Step 2: Check if counter < 5

Step 3: Perform the action (e.g., print a message)

Step 4: Increase counter by 1

Step 5: Check if counter < 5 again

Step 6: Repeat action and increase counter

Step 7: Continue checking and repeating until counter = 5

Step 8: End the loop

Diagram

Counter: [0] -> [1] -> [2] -> [3] -> [4] -> [5]
Action:  Perform action each time counter increases

Memory:
+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|   0     |    1    |    2    |    3    |    4    |
+---------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
Each box shows the counter value during the loop.

This diagram shows how the counter changes in memory as the loop repeats the action five times.

Flowchart Quiz - 3 Questions

What happens when the counter reaches 5 in the loop?

A The counter resets to 0 automatically

B The loop stops because the condition is false

C The loop repeats again without stopping

D The action is skipped but the loop continues

Key Result

Loops repeat actions by checking a condition and updating a counter until the condition is no longer true.