← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

FOR…TO…NEXT count-controlled loop

A count-controlled loop that repeats the indented lines end - start + 1 times, adding 1 to the counter each time. It is closed by NEXT Count, which names the same counter.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 8.1b Sequence, Selection and Iteration — Module 23, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Algorithms with Logical Operators — Module 25

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

What it does: 1 TO 5 gives 5 - 1 + 1 = 5 repeats. The indented OUTPUT is the loop body and NEXT Count closes the loop. 7 - 3 + 1 = 5, so Num takes the values 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. The counter goes up by 1 each time and NEXT Num names the same counter. The loop runs end - start + 1 times, so 10 - 1 + 1 = 10. 7 - 3 + 1 = 5. Num takes the values 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Without STEP, the counter increases by 1 on every repeat.

Common mistakes: NEXT must name the same counter that FOR started with. It should be NEXT Count, not NEXT Total. A FOR loop gives the counter its start value with the assignment arrow <-, not =. It should be FOR Num <- 1 TO 3.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 369–378) and word search (Modules 358–378).

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Learning

Duo

Which line correctly closes this loop? FOR Count <- 1 TO 10

NEXT CountENDFOR Count

Matches

FOR Count <- 1 TO 10 OUTPUT Count NEXT Counter

↓

NEXT names a different variable (Counter) from the one in the FOR line (Count). The counter names must match.

Applying

Meanings

Term

FOR Count <- 1 TO 10

Meaning

A count-controlled loop that repeats the indented lines end - start + 1 times, adding 1 to the counter each time. It is closed by NEXT Count, which names the same counter.

Practice

FOR Count ← 1 TO 5

Testing

Gaps

FOR Count 1 TO 10

Check Answer

Spots

2 OUTPUT Count

3NEXT Total

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Quick Questions

1. Which line correctly closes this loop? FOR Count <- 1 TO 10

A. NEXT Count ✓

B. ENDFOR Count

Cambridge pseudocode closes a FOR loop with NEXT followed by the same counter name.

2. How many times does this loop run? FOR Count <- 1 TO 10

A. 10 times ✓

B. 9 times

The loop runs end - start + 1 times, so 10 - 1 + 1 = 10.

3. How many times does this loop run? FOR Num <- 3 TO 7

A. 5 times ✓

B. 4 times

7 - 3 + 1 = 5. Num takes the values 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

4. Which NEXT line matches this loop? FOR Index <- 1 TO 5

A. NEXT Count

B. NEXT Index ✓

The name after NEXT must be the same counter used in the FOR line.

5. By how much does the counter change each time round a FOR loop with no STEP?

A. It goes up by 2

B. It goes up by 1 ✓

Without STEP, the counter increases by 1 on every repeat.

Match the Pairs

FOR Count <- 1 TO 10 → Starts a loop that repeats the indented lines 10 times, with Count going 1, 2, 3 ... 10

NEXT Count → Ends the FOR loop and names the same counter that the FOR line used

A loop that must run exactly 5 times, with the counter going 1 to 5 → FOR Count <- 1 TO 5 OUTPUT Count NEXT Count

A loop from 3 to 7 runs 5 times because end - start + 1 = 5 → FOR Num <- 3 TO 7 OUTPUT Num NEXT Num

FOR Count <- 1 TO 10 OUTPUT Count NEXT Counter → NEXT names a different variable (Counter) from the one in the FOR line (Count). The counter names must match.

FOR Count <- 1 TO 10 OUTPUT Count → The loop has no NEXT Count line, so it is never closed.

Key Term

FOR Count <- 1 TO 10

A count-controlled loop that repeats the indented lines end - start + 1 times, adding 1 to the counter each time. It is closed by NEXT Count, which names the same counter.

Fill in the Blanks

1. FOR Count <- 1 TO 10 OUTPUT Count NEXT Count

Hint: Type the assignment operator that gives the counter its starting value.

2. FOR Count <- 1 TO 10 OUTPUT Count NEXT Count

Hint: Type the keyword that separates the start value from the end value.

3. FOR Count <- 1 TO 5 OUTPUT "Hello" NEXT Count

Hint: Type the keyword that closes the FOR loop.

4. FOR Count <- 1 TO 10 OUTPUT Count * 2 NEXT Count

Hint: Type the counter variable name that must match the one in the FOR line.

5. FOR Num <- 1 TO 5 OUTPUT "Go" NEXT Num

Hint: Type the end value that makes this loop run five times when it starts at 1.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A FOR Count <- 1 TO 5

B OUTPUT Count

C NEXT Total

Line C — NEXT must name the same counter that FOR started with. It should be NEXT Count, not NEXT Total.

Question 2

A FOR Num = 1 TO 3

B OUTPUT Num * 2

C NEXT Num

Line A — A FOR loop gives the counter its start value with the assignment arrow <-, not =. It should be FOR Num <- 1 TO 3.

Question 3

A Total <- 0

B FOR Count <- 1 UNTIL 4

C Total <- Total + Count

D NEXT Count

E OUTPUT Total

Line B — A FOR loop uses the keyword TO between the start and end values. UNTIL belongs to REPEAT...UNTIL. It should be FOR Count <- 1 TO 4.

Question 4

A FOR Count <- 1 TO 6

B OUTPUT Count

C ENDFOR

Line C — Cambridge pseudocode closes a FOR loop with NEXT followed by the counter name, not ENDFOR. It should be NEXT Count.

Question 5

A Sum <- 0

B FOR Index <- TO 10

C INPUT Mark

D Sum <- Sum + Mark

E NEXT Index

Line B — The FOR line needs a start value after <-. It should be FOR Index <- 1 TO 10, so the loop runs 10 times.

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