while True pattern in Python - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the while True loop do in Python?

It creates an infinite loop that keeps running until it is stopped by a break statement or an external interruption.

beginner

How do you stop a while True loop inside the loop?

You use the break statement to exit the loop when a certain condition is met.

intermediate

Why might you use a while True loop instead of a while loop with a condition?

Using while True lets you write the exit condition inside the loop body, which can make the code easier to read and handle complex exit conditions.

beginner

What is a common real-life example where while True is useful?

When waiting for user input repeatedly until they enter a valid response, like asking for a password until it is correct.

beginner

What happens if you forget to include a break in a while True loop?

The program will run forever, causing an infinite loop that can freeze or crash your program.

What keyword is used to exit a while True loop?

A break

B continue

C exit

D stop

The break statement immediately stops the loop and exits it.

What will happen if a while True loop has no break?

A The loop runs forever

B The loop runs once

C The loop never runs

D The loop runs twice

Without a break, the while True loop never stops on its own.

Which of these is a good use case for while True?

A None of the above

B Running a loop a fixed number of times

C Repeatedly asking user input until valid

D Looping through a list

while True is great for loops that run until a condition inside the loop is met, like user input validation.

What does the continue statement do inside a while True loop?

A Exits the loop

B Skips to the next loop iteration

C Pauses the loop

D Ends the program

continue skips the rest of the current loop and starts the next iteration.

Which of these is NOT true about while True loops?

A They always need a <code>break</code> to stop

B They run until stopped

C They can be used for infinite loops

D They automatically stop after 10 iterations

while True loops do not stop automatically after any number of iterations.

Explain how a while True loop works and how to safely stop it.

Think about what keeps the loop running and what stops it.

Describe a real-life scenario where using a while True loop is helpful.

Imagine asking someone for input until they give a correct answer.

Practice

1.

What does the while True loop do in Python?

easy

A. It creates a loop that runs forever unless stopped by break.

B. It runs the loop only once.

C. It runs the loop a fixed number of times.

D. It causes a syntax error.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the meaning of while True

   The condition True is always true, so the loop will keep running forever.

2. Step 2: Recognize how to stop the loop

   To stop this infinite loop, a break statement is used inside the loop when a condition is met.

3. Final Answer:

   It creates a loop that runs forever unless stopped by break. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   while True = infinite loop until break [OK]

Hint: Remember: while True loops forever until break stops it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it runs only once
• Assuming it runs a fixed number of times
• Believing it causes a syntax error

2.

Which of the following is the correct syntax to stop a while True loop when a variable count reaches 5?

count = 0
while True:
    count += 1
    ?

easy

A. if count == 5: break

B. if count = 5: break

C. if count == 5: continue

D. if count > 5: stop

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct comparison operator

   Use == to compare values, so if count == 5 is correct.

2. Step 2: Use break to exit the loop

   The break statement stops the loop immediately when the condition is true.

3. Final Answer:

   if count == 5: break -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use == and break to stop loop [OK]

Hint: Use double equals (==) for comparison and break to stop [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using single equals (=) instead of double equals (==)
• Using continue instead of break
• Using undefined commands like stop

3.

What will be the output of the following code?

i = 0
while True:
    i += 2
    if i > 6:
        break
print(i)

medium

A. 0

B. 6

C. 4

D. 8

Solution

1. Step 1: Trace the loop increments

   i starts at 0, then increases by 2 each loop: 2, 4, 6, 8.

2. Step 2: Check the break condition

   The loop breaks when i > 6, which happens when i becomes 8.

3. Final Answer:

   6 -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Loop stops at i=8 because 8 > 6, but the printed value is the last before break, which is 6 [OK]

Hint: Add increments step-by-step until break condition met [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Stopping at i=6 instead of i=8
• Printing before break
• Confusing break condition with >= instead of >

4.

Find the error in this code snippet:

count = 0
while True
    count += 1
    if count == 3:
        break
print(count)

medium

A. Wrong comparison operator in if count == 3

B. Incorrect indentation of count += 1

C. Missing break statement

D. Missing colon after while True

Solution

1. Step 1: Check syntax of while statement

   Python requires a colon (:) after while True to start the loop block.

2. Step 2: Verify other parts

   Indentation and comparison operator are correct; break is present.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing colon after while True -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Loops need colon after condition [OK]

Hint: Look for missing colons after loop or if statements [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting colon after while
• Misaligning indentation
• Confusing = and == in conditions

5.

You want to write a program that keeps asking the user to enter a number until they enter a negative number. Which code snippet correctly uses while True to do this?

hard

A. while num >= 0:
num = int(input('Enter number: '))
print(f'You entered {num}')

B. while True:
num = int(input('Enter number: '))
if num > 0:
break
print(f'You entered {num}')

C. while True:
num = int(input('Enter number: '))
if num < 0:
break
print(f'You entered {num}')

D. while True:
num = input('Enter number: ')
if num < 0:
break

Solution

1. Step 1: Check loop condition and input

   while True: num = int(input('Enter number: ')) if num < 0: break print(f'You entered {num}') uses while True and asks for input inside the loop, converting it to int.

2. Step 2: Verify break condition and output

   It breaks when the number is negative (< 0) and prints the number otherwise.

3. Final Answer:

   while True: num = int(input('Enter number: ')) if num < 0: break print(f'You entered {num}') -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Break on negative input inside infinite loop [OK]

Hint: Break loop when negative number entered, print otherwise [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Breaking on wrong condition (positive instead of negative)
• Not converting input to int
• Missing print statement or break