← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

FOR ... TO ... NEXT

Repeats the statements below once for each whole number from 1 to 30 inclusive. Index is an INTEGER that changes automatically each time. Close the loop with NEXT Index.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7c Pseudocode and Flowcharts — Module 29

Understanding FOR ... TO ... NEXT in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: Count goes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 without any Count ← Count + 1 line, because the FOR loop changes it automatically. The FOR loop counts in whole numbers, so the variable holding the count is declared with the INTEGER data type. The loop runs once for each integer from 1 to 30 inclusive, so it repeats 30 times. A FOR loop in Cambridge pseudocode ends with NEXT followed by the same identifier. There is no ENDFOR. The FOR loop increases the loop variable by itself on every repeat, so you do not add 1 yourself. Assignment uses the arrow ←. The = sign is used for comparison, not for giving the loop variable its start value.

Common mistakes: A FOR loop gives its loop variable a starting value with the assignment arrow ←, not =. It should be FOR Index ← 1 TO 30. NEXT must repeat the same identifier that follows FOR. The loop variable is Count, so the line should be NEXT Count.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 166–175) and word search (Modules 166–187).

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Learning

Duo

Which FOR loop runs its statements exactly 30 times?

FOR Index ← 1 TO 29FOR Index ← 1 TO 30

Matches

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index NEXT Count

↓

NEXT uses a different identifier from the FOR line. It must repeat the same loop variable, so it should be NEXT Index.

Applying

Meanings

Term

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30

Meaning

Repeats the statements below once for each whole number from 1 to 30 inclusive. Index is an INTEGER that changes automatically each time. Close the loop with NEXT Index.

Practice

DECLARE Index : INTEGER

Testing

Gaps

Index ← 1 TO 30

Check Answer

Spots

1Total ← 0

2FOR Index = 1 TO 30

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Quick Questions

1. Which FOR loop runs its statements exactly 30 times?

A. FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 ✓

B. FOR Index ← 1 TO 29

The loop runs once for each integer from 1 to 30 inclusive, so it repeats 30 times.

2. Which line correctly ends a loop that starts with FOR Count ← 1 TO 10?

A. NEXT Count ✓

B. ENDFOR Count

A FOR loop in Cambridge pseudocode ends with NEXT followed by the same identifier. There is no ENDFOR.

3. The loop variable Index in FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 changes ...

A. only when you write Index ← Index + 1 inside the loop

B. automatically each time round the loop ✓

The FOR loop increases the loop variable by itself on every repeat, so you do not add 1 yourself.

4. What data type should the loop variable in a FOR loop be?

A. INTEGER ✓

B. STRING

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

5. Which pair of lines is written correctly?

A. FOR Index ← 1 TO 5 ... NEXT Count

B. FOR Index ← 1 TO 5 ... NEXT Index ✓

The identifier after NEXT must be the same as the loop variable after FOR.

Match the Pairs

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 → Starts a loop that repeats the statements below once for each whole number from 1 to 30 inclusive

NEXT Index → Ends the FOR loop and names the same loop variable that the FOR line used

The loop variable changes by itself, so you never write a line to add 1 to it → FOR Count ← 1 TO 5 OUTPUT Count NEXT Count

The loop variable is an INTEGER, so it must be declared as one before the loop → DECLARE Index : INTEGER FOR Index ← 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index NEXT Index

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

FOR Index = 1 TO 30 OUTPUT Index NEXT Index → The loop variable is given its start value with = instead of the assignment arrow. It should be FOR Index ← 1 TO 30.

Key Term

FOR Index ← 1 TO 30

Repeats the statements below once for each whole number from 1 to 30 inclusive. Index is an INTEGER that changes automatically each time. Close the loop with NEXT Index.

Fill in the Blanks

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

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

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

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

3. FOR Number ← 1 TO 10 OUTPUT Number * 2 NEXT Number

Hint: Type the keyword that closes the FOR loop.

4. FOR Count ← 1 TO 5 OUTPUT Count NEXT Count

Hint: Type the loop variable name, repeated after the closing keyword.

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

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

Spot the Error

Question 1

A Total ← 0

B FOR Index = 1 TO 30

C Total ← Total + Index

D NEXT Index

Line B — A FOR loop gives its loop variable a starting value with the assignment arrow ←, not =. It should be FOR Index ← 1 TO 30.

Question 2

A FOR Count ← 1 TO 5

B OUTPUT "Hello"

C OUTPUT Count

D NEXT Counter

Line D — NEXT must repeat the same identifier that follows FOR. The loop variable is Count, so the line should be NEXT Count.

Question 3

A Sum ← 0

B FOR Num ← 1 UNTIL 20

C Sum ← Sum + Num

D NEXT Num

Line B — The end value of a FOR loop is introduced with TO, not UNTIL. UNTIL belongs to REPEAT loops. It should be FOR Num ← 1 TO 20.

Question 4

A DECLARE Index : INTEGER

B FOR Index ← 1.5 TO 30

C OUTPUT Index

D NEXT Index

Line B — The loop variable is an INTEGER, so it must start at a whole number. 1.5 is a REAL. It should be FOR Index ← 1 TO 30.

Question 5

A Total ← 0

B FOR Index ← 1 TO 10

C Total ← Total + Number

D NEXT Index

E OUTPUT Total

Line C — Number has never been set. The loop variable is Index, which changes automatically each time round, so the line should be Total ← Total + Index.

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