Repeat-while loop in Swift - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Repeat-while loop

Start

↓

Execute loop body

↓

Check condition

↓

Exit loop

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

Execution Sample

Swift

var count = 1
repeat {
  print(count)
  count += 1
} while count <= 3

This code prints numbers 1 to 3 using a repeat-while loop.

Execution Table

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

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

Variable Tracker

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

Key Moments - 2 Insights

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

Because repeat-while checks the condition after running the loop body once, so the body always runs at least once (see execution_table step 1).

What happens if the condition is false right after the first loop execution?

The loop stops after that first execution, as shown in execution_table step 4 where condition is false and loop exits.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what is the value of count at step 3?

A 4

B 3

C 2

D 1

💡 Hint

Check the 'count 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 execution_table and find where it is false.

If we change the condition to count < 3, how many times will the loop run?

A 3 times

B 1 time

C 2 times

D 4 times

💡 Hint

Refer to variable_tracker and think when count < 3 becomes false.

Concept Snapshot

repeat {
  // code to run
} while condition

- Runs loop body first, then checks condition
- Repeats while condition is true
- Always runs at least once
- Use when loop must run before condition check

Full Transcript

The repeat-while loop in Swift 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, with count starting at 1, the loop prints count and increases it by 1 each time. It stops when count becomes 4 because 4 <= 3 is false. The variable count changes from 1 to 4 through the loop. This loop is useful when you want to run code first and then decide if it should repeat.

Practice

1. What is the main difference between a repeat-while loop and a while loop in Swift?

easy

A. A repeat-while loop runs only once and never repeats.

B. A repeat-while loop checks the condition before running the code block.

C. A repeat-while loop cannot be used with Boolean conditions.

D. A repeat-while loop runs the code block at least once before checking the condition.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand loop behavior

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

2. Step 2: Compare with repeat-while

   A repeat-while loop runs the code block first, then checks the condition to decide if it should repeat, guaranteeing at least one execution.

3. Final Answer:

   A repeat-while loop runs the code block at least once before checking the condition. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Repeat-while runs first, then checks condition [OK]

Hint: Repeat-while always runs code once before checking condition [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking repeat-while checks condition first
• Confusing repeat-while with while loop
• Believing repeat-while can't repeat

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax for a repeat-while loop in Swift?

easy

A. repeat (condition) { /* code */ }

B. repeat { /* code */ } while condition

C. while condition { /* code */ } repeat

D. do { /* code */ } while condition

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Swift syntax for repeat-while

   The correct syntax starts with the keyword repeat, followed by a code block in braces, then the while keyword with the condition.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   repeat { /* code */ } while condition matches the correct syntax exactly. repeat (condition) { /* code */ } incorrectly places the condition in parentheses after repeat. while condition { /* code */ } repeat mixes while and repeat incorrectly. do { /* code */ } while condition uses do-while which is not valid Swift syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   repeat { /* code */ } while condition -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   repeat { } while condition syntax [OK]

Hint: Remember: repeat { } while condition is the correct form [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using do-while instead of repeat-while
• Placing condition inside parentheses after repeat
• Mixing while and repeat keywords

3. What will be the output of the following Swift code?

var count = 3
repeat {
    print(count)
    count -= 1
} while count > 0

medium

A. 3 2 1

B. 2 1 0

C. 3 2 1 0

D. 1 2 3

Solution

1. Step 1: Trace the loop iterations

   Initial count is 3. The loop prints count, then decreases it by 1. It repeats while count > 0.

2. Step 2: List printed values

   First iteration: print 3, count becomes 2.
   Second iteration: print 2, count becomes 1.
   Third iteration: print 1, count becomes 0.
   Loop stops because count is not > 0.

3. Final Answer:

   3 2 1 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Prints 3,2,1 then stops [OK]

Hint: Count down prints before condition check, stops at zero [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Including 0 in output
• Printing after decrement instead of before
• Confusing order of printed numbers

4. Identify the error in this Swift repeat-while loop code:

var x = 5
repeat {
    print(x)
    x += 1
} while x < 5

medium

A. No error; the loop runs exactly once.

B. The loop will never run because condition is false initially.

C. Syntax error: missing parentheses around condition.

D. The loop will run infinitely because x keeps increasing.

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze loop condition and variable change

   Initial x is 5. The loop runs once before checking condition. Inside loop, x increases by 1 each time.

2. Step 2: Check condition after first iteration

   After first iteration, x becomes 6. Condition is x < 5, which is false, so loop should stop. But since x increases, if condition was true, it would never stop. Here, it stops after one iteration.

3. Step 3: Re-examine the condition logic

   Actually, since x starts at 5, condition x < 5 is false, so loop runs once then stops. No infinite loop.

4. Final Answer:

   No error; the loop runs exactly once. -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Loop runs once then stops [OK]

Hint: Check variable change and condition carefully to avoid infinite loops [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming infinite loop without checking condition
• Thinking condition needs parentheses
• Believing loop won't run at all

5. You want to use a repeat-while loop to ask a user for a password until they enter "swift123". Which code snippet correctly implements this?

hard

A. repeat {
print("Enter password:")
input = readLine() ?? ""
} while input == "swift123"

B. var input = ""
while input != "swift123" {
print("Enter password:")
input = readLine() ?? ""
}

C. var input = ""
repeat {
print("Enter password:")
input = readLine() ?? ""
} while input != "swift123"

D. var input = ""
repeat {
input = readLine() ?? ""
} while input != "swift123"
print("Enter password:")

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the requirement

   The loop must ask for password at least once and repeat until the user enters "swift123".

2. Step 2: Check each option

   var input = "" repeat { print("Enter password:") input = readLine() ?? "" } while input != "swift123" uses repeat-while, asks inside loop, and repeats while input is not "swift123". This matches the requirement.
   var input = "" while input != "swift123" { print("Enter password:") input = readLine() ?? "" } uses while loop, which may skip asking if input is already "swift123".
   repeat { print("Enter password:") input = readLine() ?? "" } while input == "swift123" repeats while input equals "swift123", which is opposite of requirement.
   var input = "" repeat { input = readLine() ?? "" } while input != "swift123" print("Enter password:") prints prompt after loop ends, so user is not prompted before input.

3. Final Answer:

   var input = "" repeat { print("Enter password:") input = readLine() ?? "" } while input != "swift123" -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Repeat-while asks first, repeats until correct [OK]

Hint: Use repeat-while to ask first, then check condition [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using while loop that may skip first prompt
• Reversing condition logic
• Prompting outside the loop