Loop construct in Rust

Introduction

Loops help you repeat actions many times without writing the same code again and again.

When you want to count from 1 to 10 and print each number.

When you need to keep asking a user for input until they give a valid answer.

When you want to process each item in a list one by one.

When you want to repeat a task until a certain condition is met.

Syntax

Rust

loop {
    // code to repeat
    if condition {
        break;
    }
}

loop creates an infinite loop unless you use break to stop it.

You can use break to exit the loop when needed.

Examples

This prints "Hello!" once and then stops the loop.

Rust

loop {
    println!("Hello!");
    break;
}

This counts from 1 to 5 and prints each number, then stops.

Rust

let mut count = 0;
loop {
    count += 1;
    println!("Count: {}", count);
    if count == 5 {
        break;
    }
}

Sample Program

This program prints numbers from 1 to 3 using a loop. It stops when the number is greater than 3.

Rust

fn main() {
    let mut number = 1;
    loop {
        println!("Number is {}", number);
        number += 1;
        if number > 3 {
            break;
        }
    }
}

Important Notes

Loops can run forever if you forget to use break. Always make sure your loop can stop.

You can use continue inside loops to skip to the next repetition.

Summary

Loops repeat code multiple times without rewriting it.

loop creates an infinite loop that you stop with break.

Use loops to handle repeated tasks easily and clearly.

Practice

1. What does the loop keyword do in Rust?

easy

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

B. It creates an infinite loop that runs until break is called.

C. It runs the loop only once.

D. It creates a loop that runs only if a condition is true.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the loop keyword

   The loop keyword in Rust creates a loop that repeats forever unless stopped.

2. Step 2: Identify how to stop the loop

   To stop a loop, you must use break inside it; otherwise, it runs infinitely.

3. Final Answer:

   It creates an infinite loop that runs until break is called. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   loop = infinite loop until break [OK]

Hint: Remember: loop runs forever unless broken [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking loop runs a fixed number of times
• Confusing loop with for or while
• Assuming loop stops automatically

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to create an infinite loop in Rust?

easy

A. loop { println!("Hello"); }

B. while True { println!("Hello"); }

C. for i in 0.. { println!("Hello"); }

D. repeat { println!("Hello"); }

Solution

1. Step 1: Check Rust syntax for infinite loops

   Rust uses the keyword loop to create an infinite loop.

2. Step 2: Verify each option

   while True { println!("Hello"); } uses while True which is invalid syntax in Rust. for i in 0.. { println!("Hello"); } uses for with an infinite range, but 0.. is not valid without an end. repeat { println!("Hello"); } uses repeat which does not exist in Rust. loop { println!("Hello"); } correctly uses loop.

3. Final Answer:

   loop { println!("Hello"); } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct infinite loop syntax = loop [OK]

Hint: Use loop keyword for infinite loops in Rust [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using while True which is invalid in Rust
• Trying to use repeat which doesn't exist
• Using for without a proper range

3. What will be the output of this Rust code?

let mut count = 0;
loop {
    count += 1;
    if count == 3 {
        break;
    }
    println!("{}", count);
}

medium

A. 1 2

B. 0 1 2

C. 1 2 3

D. No output (infinite loop)

Solution

1. Step 1: Trace the loop iterations

   Initially, count = 0. In the first loop, count becomes 1, which is printed. Then count becomes 2 and printed. When count becomes 3, the loop breaks before printing.

2. Step 2: List printed values

   Only 1 and 2 are printed before the break stops the loop.

3. Final Answer:

   1 2 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Loop prints until count == 3, so prints 1 and 2 [OK]

Hint: Check when break happens before printing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Printing count after break condition
• Starting count from 0 but expecting 0 to print
• Assuming infinite loop without break

4. Identify the error in this Rust loop code:

let mut i = 0;
loop {
    if i == 5 {
        break;
    }
    println!("{}", i);
}

medium

A. 'println!' macro syntax is wrong.

B. Missing semicolon after 'break'.

C. 'loop' keyword is used incorrectly.

D. Variable 'i' is not incremented, causing an infinite loop.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check loop control variable

   The variable i is initialized but never changed inside the loop.

2. Step 2: Understand loop behavior

   Since i never increments, i == 5 is never true, so break is never reached, causing an infinite loop.

3. Final Answer:

   Variable 'i' is not incremented, causing an infinite loop. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Loop needs variable increment to reach break [OK]

Hint: Always update loop variables to avoid infinite loops [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting to increment loop variable
• Assuming break works without condition change
• Misunderstanding loop syntax

5. How can you use a loop to sum numbers from 1 to 5 in Rust?

hard

A. Use loop with a counter but never update sum.

B. Use loop without break and add numbers forever.

C. Use a loop with a counter and break when counter > 5, adding each to sum.

D. Use loop with a counter but break immediately without adding.

Solution

1. Step 1: Plan the loop with counter and sum

   Initialize a counter at 1 and sum at 0. Use loop to add counter to sum.

2. Step 2: Use break to stop after 5

   Increment counter each loop. When counter > 5, use break to exit loop.

3. Step 3: Result is sum of 1 to 5

   This method correctly sums numbers 1+2+3+4+5 = 15.

4. Final Answer:

   Use a loop with a counter and break when counter > 5, adding each to sum. -> Option C

5. Quick Check:

   Loop + counter + break = sum 1 to 5 [OK]

Hint: Increment counter and break after limit to sum [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not breaking loop causing infinite sum
• Not incrementing counter
• Not adding counter to sum