← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

FOR ... TO ... NEXT loop (7a)

Repeats the code once for each integer from 1 to 30 inclusive, up to NEXT Index. Runs once if both values are equal and not at all if the start value is bigger.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7a Program Development Life Cycle — Module 44

Understanding FOR ... TO ... NEXT loop (7a) in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: NEXT Index marks the end of the loop body and uses the same identifier that was named in the FOR line. 10 is greater than 1, so there are no integers to count up through and the statements inside the loop are skipped. A FOR loop includes both the start value and the end value, so Count takes the values 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Cambridge pseudocode closes a FOR loop with NEXT followed by the loop variable. ENDFOR is not used. When value1 equals value2 there is exactly one integer in the range, so the loop body runs one time.

Common mistakes: A FOR loop in Cambridge pseudocode ends with NEXT followed by the loop variable, not ENDFOR. It should be NEXT Index. A FOR loop uses the keyword TO between the start and end values. UNTIL belongs to REPEAT loops. It should be FOR Index ← 1 TO 10.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 37–46) and word search (Modules 27–46).

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Learning

Duo

How many times does the body of FOR Count ← 1 TO 5 run?

4 times5 times

Matches

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index ENDFOR

↓

A FOR loop must end with NEXT Index, not ENDFOR. ENDFOR is not Cambridge pseudocode.

Applying

Meanings

Term

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30

Meaning

Repeats the code once for each integer from 1 to 30 inclusive, up to NEXT Index. Runs once if both values are equal and not at all if the start value is bigger.

Practice

FOR Index ← 1 TO 5

Testing

Gaps

FOR Index ← 1 30

Check Answer

Spots

3 OUTPUT Index

4ENDFOR

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Quick Questions

1. How many times does the body of FOR Count ← 1 TO 5 run?

A. 5 times ✓

B. 4 times

A FOR loop includes both the start value and the end value, so Count takes the values 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

2. Which line correctly ends the loop that starts with FOR Index ← 1 TO 30?

A. ENDFOR Index

B. NEXT Index ✓

Cambridge pseudocode closes a FOR loop with NEXT followed by the loop variable. ENDFOR is not used.

3. How many times does FOR Num ← 4 TO 4 run?

A. Once ✓

B. Never

When value1 equals value2 there is exactly one integer in the range, so the loop body runs one time.

4. What happens when FOR Num ← 10 TO 1 is run?

A. The body does not run at all ✓

B. It counts down from 10 to 1

Without a negative STEP, a start value bigger than the end value means no values are left to count, so the loop is skipped.

5. Which data type must the loop variable in a FOR loop have?

A. STRING

B. INTEGER ✓

A FOR loop counts through whole numbers, so the loop variable must be an INTEGER.

Match the Pairs

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 → Repeats the statements below once for each integer from 1 to 30 inclusive, ending at NEXT Index

FOR Count ← 5 TO 5 → Runs the loop body exactly once, because the start value and end value are equal

A FOR loop must be closed with NEXT followed by the same loop variable → FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index NEXT Index

The loop does not run at all if the start value is bigger than the end value → FOR Index ← 10 TO 1

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index ENDFOR → A FOR loop must end with NEXT Index, not ENDFOR. ENDFOR is not Cambridge pseudocode.

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index NEXT Count → The NEXT line uses a different identifier (Count) from the loop variable (Index).

Key Term

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30

Repeats the code once for each integer from 1 to 30 inclusive, up to NEXT Index. Runs once if both values are equal and not at all if the start value is bigger.

Fill in the Blanks

1. FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index NEXT Index

Hint: Type the keyword that joins the start value and the end value of the loop.

2. FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index NEXT Index

Hint: Type the keyword that marks the end of the FOR loop body.

3. FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index NEXT Index

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

4. DECLARE Index : INTEGER FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 NEXT Index

Hint: Type the data type that a FOR loop variable must have.

5. FOR Index ← 1 TO 1 OUTPUT "Hello" NEXT Index

Hint: Type the end value that makes this loop run exactly once because it equals the start value.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A DECLARE Index : INTEGER

B FOR Index ← 1 TO 3

C OUTPUT Index

D ENDFOR

Line D — A FOR loop in Cambridge pseudocode ends with NEXT followed by the loop variable, not ENDFOR. It should be NEXT Index.

Question 2

A FOR Index ← 1 UNTIL 10

B OUTPUT Index * 2

C NEXT Index

Line A — A FOR loop uses the keyword TO between the start and end values. UNTIL belongs to REPEAT loops. It should be FOR Index ← 1 TO 10.

Question 3

A DECLARE Total : INTEGER

B Total ← 0

C FOR Index = 1 TO 4

D Total ← Total + Index

E NEXT Index

Line C — The loop variable is given its start value with the assignment arrow ←. The = sign is a comparison operator. It should be FOR Index ← 1 TO 4.

Question 4

A DECLARE Index : INTEGER

B OUTPUT "Start"

C FOR Index ← 1.5 TO 5

D OUTPUT Index

E NEXT Index

Line C — The loop variable must be an INTEGER, so the start value cannot be a decimal such as 1.5. It should be FOR Index ← 1 TO 5.

Question 5

A DECLARE Num : INTEGER

B FOR Num ← 1 TO 3

C OUTPUT Index * Index

D NEXT Num

Line C — The loop variable is Num, so the body must use Num. Index has not been declared or given a value. It should be OUTPUT Num * Num.

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