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Looping: meaning, definitions and examples

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looping

[หˆluหpษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

programming

A programming construct that repeats a group of statements a specified number of times or until a particular condition is met.

Synonyms

cycling, iteration, repetition.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
looping

Commonly used in programming when a set of instructions or actions is repeated continuously until a certain condition is met.

  • The loop keeps looping until the counter reaches 10.
  • He spent the whole night looping through the code to find the error.
iteration

Typically used in programming and engineering to describe a single cycle of a repeated process, often emphasizing gradual improvement or refinement in each cycle.

  • Each iteration of the software brought new features and improvements.
  • During the iteration process, we identified several key areas for optimization.
repetition

Generally used to describe something that is repeated, often implying monotony or rote learning. It can have a slightly negative connotation when it implies boredom or lack of creativity.

  • Her speech was criticized for its repetition of the same points.
  • Repetition is key to mastering a new language.
cycling

Often used in contexts where actions or events are repeated in a circular manner. It's also commonly associated with riding bicycles.

  • The playlist kept cycling through the same 10 songs.
  • She enjoys cycling to work every day.

Examples of usage

  • Using looping can help in writing efficient and concise code.
  • In Python, 'for' and 'while' are common looping constructs.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To repeat a set of instructions in a program or process.

Synonyms

cycle, iterate, repeat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
looping

Used in programming to describe continuously executing a set of instructions until a specific condition is met. Often used when talking about for-loops, while-loops, and other looping constructs in software development.

  • The program kept looping through the data until it found a match.
  • Looping through the list, she checked each item for errors.
repeat

Common in everyday speech to indicate doing something again, either immediately or after some interval. Doesn't inherently imply structure or purpose in the repetition.

  • Please repeat your question, I didn't hear you.
  • She had to repeat the song several times to learn the lyrics.
iterate

Often used in technical or business contexts to describe repeating a process with the aim of approaching a desired goal or improving on the previous iteration. It suggests a more calculated and purposeful repetition compared to 'looping'.

  • We need to iterate on this design to improve user experience.
  • The algorithm iterates through each data point to find patterns.
cycle

Used to describe a sequence of events that repeat regularly and in a specific order. Common in both everyday contexts and specialized fields like biology (life cycle) or mechanical engineering (engine cycle).

  • The life cycle of a butterfly includes stages of caterpillar and chrysalis.
  • A washing machine goes through different cycles such as washing, rinsing, and spinning.

Examples of usage

  • The program is looping through the array to find the maximum value.
  • If you keep looping the process, it will eventually lead to an error.

Translations

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Etymology

The term 'looping' originates from the concept of a loop, which is a structure that repeats a sequence of instructions until a specific condition is met. The use of loops in programming dates back to the early days of computer programming languages. Loops are fundamental to the concept of iteration and play a crucial role in controlling the flow of a program. Over time, looping has become a key element in software development, enabling efficient and concise coding practices.

See also: loop, looped, loophole.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,036, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.