Do–while loop in Java - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Do–while loop

Start

↓

Execute body

↓

Check condition

↓

Exit

The do-while loop runs the code inside the loop first, then checks the condition. If true, it repeats; if false, it stops.

Execution Sample

Java

int i = 1;
do {
  System.out.println(i);
  i++;
} while (i <= 3);

Prints numbers 1 to 3 by running the loop body first, then checking if i is less than or equal to 3.

Execution Table

Step	i value	Condition (i <= 3)	Action	Output
1	1	true	Print 1, increment i to 2	1
2	2	true	Print 2, increment i to 3	2
3	3	true	Print 3, increment i to 4	3
4	4	false	Exit loop

💡 i becomes 4, condition 4 <= 3 is false, loop stops

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After 1	After 2	After 3	Final
i	1	2	3	4	4

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does the loop body run even when the condition is false at the start?

Because the do-while loop runs the body first before checking the condition, as shown in step 1 of the execution_table.

When does the condition get checked in a do-while loop?

The condition is checked after the loop body runs, as seen between steps 1 and 2 in the execution_table.

What happens if the condition is false after the first iteration?

The loop stops immediately after the first iteration, as shown in step 4 where the condition is false and the loop exits.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the value of i at step 3?

A 4

B 2

C 3

D 1

💡 Hint

Check the 'i value' column at step 3 in the execution_table.

At which step does the condition become false and the loop stops?

A Step 4

B Step 2

C Step 3

D Step 1

💡 Hint

Look at the 'Condition' column in the execution_table to find when it is false.

If the initial value of i was 5, how many times would the loop body run?

A 0 times

B 1 time

C 5 times

D Infinite times

💡 Hint

Remember the do-while loop runs the body once before checking the condition.

Concept Snapshot

do-while loop syntax:
 do {
   // code
 } while (condition);

Runs loop body first, then checks condition.
Repeats if condition true, stops if false.
Always runs at least once.

Full Transcript

A do-while loop in Java runs the code inside the loop first, then checks the condition. If the condition is true, it repeats the loop. If false, it stops. This means the loop body always runs at least once, even if the condition is false at the start. For example, starting with i=1, the loop prints i and increments it until i is greater than 3. The execution table shows each step: printing the value, incrementing, checking the condition, and finally exiting when the condition fails. This helps beginners see how the loop runs and when it stops.

Practice

1.

What is the main difference between a do-while loop and a while loop in Java?

easy

A. A do-while loop executes the code block at least once before checking the condition.

B. A while loop executes the code block at least once before checking the condition.

C. A do-while loop never checks the condition.

D. A while loop always executes the code block twice.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand do-while loop behavior

   A do-while loop runs the code block first, then checks the condition to decide if it should repeat.

2. Step 2: Compare with while loop

   A while loop checks the condition first before running the code block, so it may not run at all if the condition is false initially.

3. Final Answer:

   A do-while loop executes the code block at least once before checking the condition. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   do-while runs once before condition check [OK]

Hint: Remember: do-while runs code first, while checks condition first [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking while loop always runs code once
• Believing do-while skips condition check
• Confusing order of execution and condition check

2.

Which of the following is the correct syntax for a do-while loop in Java?

?

easy

A. do { // code } while (condition);

B. do (condition) { // code };

C. while (condition) { // code } do;

D. do { // code } until (condition);

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall correct do-while syntax

   The correct syntax starts with do, then the code block in braces, followed by while (condition); with a semicolon.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct option

   do { // code } while (condition); matches the correct syntax exactly. Others have wrong order, missing semicolon, or wrong keywords.

3. Final Answer:

   do { // code } while (condition); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Syntax: do { } while (condition); [OK]

Hint: Look for 'do { } while (condition);' with semicolon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Missing semicolon after while condition
• Using 'until' instead of 'while'
• Placing condition before code block

3.

What will be the output of the following Java code?

int count = 1;
do {
    System.out.print(count + " ");
    count++;
} while (count <= 3);

medium

A. 1 2 3 4

B. 2 3 4

C. 1 2 3

D. No output

Solution

1. Step 1: Trace the loop iterations

   Initially, count = 1. The loop prints count, then increments it. It repeats while count <= 3.

2. Step 2: List printed values

   Iterations print: 1 (count=1), 2 (count=2), 3 (count=3). When count becomes 4, condition fails and loop stops.

3. Final Answer:

   1 2 3 -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Prints 1 to 3 inclusive [OK]

Hint: Count starts at 1, loop runs while count ≤ 3 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking loop prints 4 because of increment
• Confusing pre-increment and post-increment
• Assuming no output if condition false initially

4.

Identify the error in this do-while loop code snippet:

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

medium

A. Loop should use while instead of do-while

B. Condition should be inside braces

C. Variable i must be declared inside the loop

D. Missing semicolon after i++

Solution

1. Step 1: Check syntax inside the loop

   The statement i++ is missing a semicolon at the end, which causes a syntax error.

2. Step 2: Verify other parts

   The condition is correctly placed after the loop with a semicolon. Variable declaration outside is valid. Loop type is correct.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing semicolon after i++ -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Every statement needs a semicolon [OK]

Hint: Check for missing semicolons inside loop body [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting semicolon after increment
• Misplacing condition inside braces
• Thinking variable must be declared inside loop

5.

You want to write a do-while loop that asks the user to enter a positive number and repeats until the user enters a positive number. Which code snippet correctly implements this?

Scanner sc = new Scanner(System.in);
int num;
do {
    System.out.print("Enter a positive number: ");
    num = sc.nextInt();
} while (???);

hard

A. num > 0

B. num <= 0

C. num == 0

D. num < 0

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the loop goal

   The loop should repeat while the number is not positive, meaning while it is zero or negative.

2. Step 2: Choose the correct condition

   The condition num <= 0 ensures the loop repeats until the user enters a positive number.

3. Final Answer:

   num <= 0 -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Repeat while number is not positive [OK]

Hint: Loop while input is zero or negative to get positive number [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using condition that stops too early
• Checking for positive instead of non-positive
• Confusing < and <= operators