Introduction to Loops

Loops are used to execute a block of code multiple times. In Go, loops are primarily handled using the for loop. Unlike other languages, Go does not have a separate while or do-while loop; instead, different variations of the for loop are used.

Basic For Loop

The basic for loop consists of three parts: initialization, condition, and increment/decrement.

package main

import "fmt"

func main() {
    for i := 1; i <= 5; i++ {
        fmt.Println("Iteration:", i)
    }
}

This loop runs from 1 to 5, printing each iteration.

For Loop as a While Loop

Go doesn’t have a separate while loop; instead, a for loop can be used as a while loop by omitting the initialization and increment.

package main

import "fmt"

func main() {
    i := 1
    for i <= 5 {
        fmt.Println("Iteration:", i)
        i++
    }
}

This loop runs as long as the condition i <= 5 is true.

Infinite Loop

An infinite loop in Go is created using for without a condition. This is useful for server processes or continuously running tasks.

package main

import "fmt"

func main() {
    for {
        fmt.Println("This is an infinite loop")
    }
}

Note: To stop an infinite loop, use break or ctrl + C in the terminal.

Break and Continue

The break statement exits a loop immediately, while continue skips the current iteration and proceeds to the next.

package main

import "fmt"

func main() {
    for i := 1; i <= 5; i++ {
        if i == 3 {
            continue // Skips iteration 3
        }
        fmt.Println(i)
        if i == 4 {
            break // Stops loop at 4
        }
    }
}

Here, iteration 3 is skipped using continue, and the loop stops completely when i == 4 due to break.

Conclusion

Loops are an essential part of programming, and Go provides a powerful for loop that can be used in different ways. Whether it's a traditional loop, a while-like loop, or an infinite loop, Go's simplicity makes iteration straightforward.

In the next lesson, we will explore Functions in Go, covering how to define, call, and return values from functions.