Java · Chapter 16 of 42

Java For Loop

The for loop is used when the number of iterations is known ahead of time. It combines initialization, condition, and increment into a single line.

Java also has a for-each loop (enhanced for loop) for iterating directly over arrays and collections without managing an index.

Syntax

for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
}
for (Type item : array) {
}

Classic for loop

`for (init; condition; update)` runs init once, then repeats: check condition, run body, run update.

For-each loop

`for (Type item : collection)` iterates over each element directly, which is simpler and less error-prone than index-based loops.

Example 1 (java)

public class Main {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
      System.out.println(i);
    }
    int[] nums = {10, 20, 30};
    for (int n : nums) {
      System.out.println(n);
    }
  }
}

Output

The classic for loop prints 0-2; the for-each loop prints each array element.

Key points

A for loop combines init, condition and update.
The for-each loop simplifies iterating over arrays/collections.
break exits a loop early; continue skips to the next iteration.
For loops are best when the iteration count is known.

💡 Note: Prefer for-each loops when you don't need the index, for cleaner and safer code.

Java For Loop

Classic for loop

For-each loop

Key points

📝 Quick Quiz