For loop in Rust

Introduction

A for loop helps you repeat actions easily without writing the same code many times.

When you want to print numbers from 1 to 10.

When you need to check each item in a list or array.

When you want to add up all values in a collection.

When you want to repeat a task a fixed number of times.

When you want to process each character in a word.

Syntax

Rust

for variable in collection {
    // code to repeat
}

The variable takes each value from the collection one by one.

The collection can be a range, array, vector, or anything you can loop over.

Examples

This prints numbers 1 to 4. The range 1..5 means from 1 up to but not including 5.

Rust

for i in 1..5 {
    println!("{}", i);
}

This goes through each fruit in the array and prints a message.

Rust

let fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"];
for fruit in fruits.iter() {
    println!("I like {}", fruit);
}

This loops over each character in the word "hello" and prints it.

Rust

for c in "hello".chars() {
    println!("{}", c);
}

Sample Program

This program loops over the array numbers and prints each number with a label.

Rust

fn main() {
    let numbers = [10, 20, 30];
    for num in numbers.iter() {
        println!("Number: {}", num);
    }
}

Important Notes

Rust's for loop provides each item by value from the collection (copies for Copy types), so you don't need to use indexes.

The range a..b includes a but excludes b. Use a..=b to include b.

Summary

Use a for loop to repeat actions over items in a collection.

The loop variable takes each item one by one.

Ranges and arrays are common collections to loop over.

Practice

1. What does a for loop do in Rust?

easy

A. Declares a variable

B. Defines a new function

C. Repeats actions for each item in a collection

D. Stops the program immediately

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of a for loop

   A for loop runs code repeatedly for each item in a list or range.

2. Step 2: Match the description to the options

   Only Repeats actions for each item in a collection describes repeating actions over items in a collection.

3. Final Answer:

   Repeats actions for each item in a collection -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   For loop = repeat over items [OK]

Hint: For loops repeat actions over collections [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing for loop with function definition
• Thinking for loop declares variables
• Believing for loop stops program

2. Which of these is the correct syntax for a for loop iterating over numbers 1 to 3 in Rust?

easy

A. for i = 1 to 3 { println!("{}", i); }

B. for i in 1..=3 { println!("{}", i); }

C. for (i in 1..3) println!("{}", i);

D. for i in range(1,3) { println!("{}", i); }

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Rust for loop syntax

   Rust uses for variable in range { } with ranges like 1..=3 to include 3.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   for i in 1..=3 { println!("{}", i); } uses correct Rust syntax with inclusive range. Others use invalid syntax or functions not in Rust.

3. Final Answer:

   for i in 1..=3 { println!("{}", i); } -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Rust for loop uses in and ranges [OK]

Hint: Use 'for var in start..=end' for inclusive ranges [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using 'to' instead of 'in' keyword
• Using parentheses around loop variable
• Using Python or other language range syntax

3. What is the output of this Rust code?

let mut sum = 0;
for i in 1..4 {
    sum += i;
}
println!("{}", sum);

medium

A. 6

B. 10

C. 9

D. 7

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the loop range and iterations

   The loop runs for i = 1, 2, 3 because 1..4 excludes 4.

2. Step 2: Calculate the sum of iterations

   sum = 0 + 1 + 2 + 3 = 6

3. Final Answer:

   6 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   1+2+3 = 6 [OK]

Hint: Remember range excludes the end number [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Including 4 in the sum
• Starting sum at 1 instead of 0
• Confusing inclusive and exclusive ranges

4. Find the error in this Rust for loop code:

for i in 0..5
    println!("{}", i);
}

medium

A. Variable i is not declared

B. Range syntax is incorrect

C. println! macro is used incorrectly

D. Missing curly braces around loop body

Solution

1. Step 1: Check loop syntax

   Rust requires curly braces { } around the loop body if it has more than one statement or to be explicit.

2. Step 2: Identify the missing brace

   The code has a closing brace '}' without an opening brace '{' before println!().

3. Final Answer:

   Missing curly braces around loop body -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   For loop body needs braces [OK]

Hint: Always use braces {} for loop bodies [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting opening brace
• Assuming range syntax is wrong
• Thinking variable needs declaration outside loop

5. How can you use a for loop in Rust to print only even numbers from 2 to 10 inclusive?

hard

A. for i in 2..=10 { if i % 2 == 0 { println!("{}", i); } }

B. for i in 2..10 { if i % 2 = 0 { println!("{}", i); } }

C. for i in 2..=10 { if i / 2 == 0 { println!("{}", i); } }

D. for i in 2..=10 { if i % 2 != 0 { println!("{}", i); } }

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the range and condition

   We want numbers from 2 to 10 inclusive, so use 2..=10. To print even numbers, check if remainder when divided by 2 is zero.

2. Step 2: Check each option's condition

   for i in 2..=10 { if i % 2 == 0 { println!("{}", i); } } correctly uses i % 2 == 0. for i in 2..10 { if i % 2 = 0 { println!("{}", i); } } uses assignment (=) instead of comparison (==). for i in 2..=10 { if i / 2 == 0 { println!("{}", i); } } uses division instead of modulo. for i in 2..=10 { if i % 2 != 0 { println!("{}", i); } } prints odd numbers.

3. Final Answer:

   for i in 2..=10 { if i % 2 == 0 { println!("{}", i); } } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use modulo == 0 for even check [OK]

Hint: Use 'if i % 2 == 0' inside for loop [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using '=' instead of '==' in condition
• Using division instead of modulo
• Printing odd numbers by mistake