← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

Count-controlled loop: FOR … TO … NEXT

A count-controlled loop. It repeats the indented statements once for each value of Index, from 1 up to 30, going up by 1 each time. NEXT Index closes the loop.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 8.2 Arrays — Module 15, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 8.3 File Handling — Module 15

Understanding Count-controlled loop: FOR … TO … NEXT in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: The OUTPUT line is indented between FOR and NEXT, so it is the loop body and runs once for each value of Index. Index starts at 1, increases by 1 each time round and stops after 30, which gives 30 repeats. Cambridge pseudocode writes the start with the assignment arrow: FOR Index ← 1 TO 30. There is no DO. A FOR ... TO ... NEXT loop repeats a set number of times, so it is count-controlled. A WHILE loop repeats while a condition is true. The loop variable name after NEXT must match the one after FOR, otherwise the loop is not closed correctly.

Common mistakes: The array index must use the loop variable Index, which changes each time round. Count is not the loop variable. It should be Score[Index] ← 0. The closing square bracket is missing. The statement inside the loop should be OUTPUT Mark[Index].

Class: _____________________ · Name: _____________________ · Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 449–458) and word search (Modules 439–458).

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Learning

Duo

Which line correctly starts a loop that runs 30 times using Index?

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30FOR Index = 1 TO 30 DO

Matches

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index NEXT Count

↓

NEXT uses a different name (Count) from the loop variable Index. NEXT must repeat the same variable name as the FOR line, so it should be NEXT Index.

Applying

Meanings

Term

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30

Meaning

A count-controlled loop. It repeats the indented statements once for each value of Index, from 1 up to 30, going up by 1 each time. NEXT Index closes the loop.

Practice

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30

Testing

Gaps

Index ← 1 TO 30

Check Answer

Spots

1FOR Index ← 1 TO 30

2 Score[Count] ← 0

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Quick Questions

1. Which line correctly starts a loop that runs 30 times using Index?

A. FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 ✓

B. FOR Index = 1 TO 30 DO

Cambridge pseudocode writes the start with the assignment arrow: FOR Index ← 1 TO 30. There is no DO.

2. Which line correctly closes the loop that began FOR Index ← 1 TO 30?

A. ENDFOR Index

B. NEXT Index ✓

A FOR loop is closed with NEXT followed by the same loop variable name: NEXT Index.

3. In FOR Index ← 1 TO 30, how does Index change after each repeat?

A. It increases by 1 each time ✓

B. It stays at 1 until the loop ends

Index goes 1, 2, 3 ... up to 30, increasing by 1 on each repeat of the loop.

4. Where do the statements that repeat belong?

A. Written after NEXT Index

B. Indented between FOR and NEXT ✓

The repeated statements sit between the FOR line and the NEXT line, indented. Statements after NEXT run only once, after the loop finishes.

5. Which NEXT line matches FOR Index ← 1 TO 30?

A. NEXT Index ✓

B. NEXT Count

The variable name after NEXT must repeat the loop variable name. Here that name is Index.

Match the Pairs

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 → Starts a loop that repeats the indented statements once for each value of Index, from 1 up to 30

NEXT Index → Closes the loop, adds 1 to Index and goes back to the FOR line

The statements inside the loop are indented so you can see which lines repeat on each pass → FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index NEXT Index

A loop that runs 30 times, with Index going up by 1 each time, from 1 to 30 → FOR Index ← 1 TO 30

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index NEXT Count → NEXT uses a different name (Count) from the loop variable Index. NEXT must repeat the same variable name as the FOR line, so it should be NEXT Index.

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index NEXT Index → The statement inside the loop is not indented. The body should be indented, as in ' OUTPUT Index', so it is clear which lines repeat.

Key Term

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30

A count-controlled loop. It repeats the indented statements once for each value of Index, from 1 up to 30, going up by 1 each time. NEXT Index closes the loop.

Fill in the Blanks

1. FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 Scores[Index] ← 0 NEXT Index

Hint: Type the keyword that starts a count-controlled loop.

2. FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Scores[Index] NEXT Index

Hint: Type the keyword that sits between the start value and the end value.

3. FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Scores[Index] NEXT Index

Hint: Type the loop variable name that NEXT repeats to close the loop.

4. FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 Total ← Total + Scores[Index] NEXT Index

Hint: Type the keyword that closes the loop and moves on to the next value.

5. FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 Scores[Index] ← 0 NEXT Index

Hint: Type the assignment symbol that gives the loop variable its starting value.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A FOR Index ← 1 TO 30

B Score[Count] ← 0

C NEXT Index

Line B — The array index must use the loop variable Index, which changes each time round. Count is not the loop variable. It should be Score[Index] ← 0.

Question 2

A FOR Index ← 1 TO 10

B OUTPUT Mark[Index

C NEXT Index

Line B — The closing square bracket is missing. The statement inside the loop should be OUTPUT Mark[Index].

Question 3

A FOR Index ← 1 TO 5

B INPUT Num[Index]

C NEXT Num

Line C — NEXT must repeat the loop variable name from the FOR line. Num is the array, not the loop variable. It should be NEXT Index.

Question 4

A Total ← 0

B FOR Index ← 1 TO 30

C Total ← Total + Mark[Index]

D ENDFOR

Line D — In IGCSE pseudocode a FOR loop is closed with NEXT followed by the loop variable, not ENDFOR. It should be NEXT Index.

Question 5

A FOR Index = 1 TO 30

B Mark[Index] ← 0

C NEXT Index

Line A — The loop variable is given its start value with the assignment arrow ←, not =. It should be FOR Index ← 1 TO 30.

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