← Python

For Loops

A for loop iterates over each item in a sequence one at a time

Part of: Python Coding — Module 20, SC in Schools - Introduction to Coding - Python — Module 22, VCE Software Development - U3O1 - Programming — Module 43, VCE Software Development - U4O1 - development and evaluation — Module 27, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Programming in Python — Module 21, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Python foundations — Module 13, VCE Applied Computing U1O2 Programming: Control structures — Module 8, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7c Pseudocode and Flowcharts — Module 75, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Programming with Control Structures and Functions (Python) — Module 32, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Modular and Object-Oriented Programming (Python) — Module 20, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Cyber Security Threats and Vulnerabilities — Module 120, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Algorithms and Programming Techniques — Module 52, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Programmed Solutions — Module 32, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Prototype Data Solutions — Module 66, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 4 — Prototype Digital Data Exchanges — Module 15, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Control Structures and Data Types — Module 30

Understanding For Loops in Python

What it does: A for loop repeats a block of code once for each item in a sequence — a list, a string, or a range() of numbers. The loop variable (often i or x) takes each value from the sequence in turn, connected by the keyword in: for i in range(5):. Like an if statement, the line must end with a colon and the repeated code must be indented underneath it.

Common mistakes: Forgetting the trailing colon (for i in [1, 2, 3] instead of for i in [1, 2, 3]:) is the most common slip. It's also easy to forget that range(5) produces 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 — five numbers starting at 0, not 1 through 5.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 11–20) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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Learning
Duo
What does a for loop do?
Loops through each item in a sequenceLoops forever
Matches
❌ for x in range(5) print(x)
↓
Error: Missing colon after for
Applying
Meanings
Term
for
Meaning
Loop that iterates through each item in a sequence.
Practice
for i in [1, 2, 3]:
Testing
Gaps
i in [1, 2, 3]:
Check Answer
Spots
1total = 0
2for i in [1, 2, 3]

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Quick Questions

1. What does a for loop do?
A. Loops forever
B. Loops through each item in a sequence ✓
for visits each item in a list, string, or range — one at a time
2. for x in [10,20,30]:\n print(x)\nWhat prints?
A. 10, 20, 30 ✓
B. 30
The loop visits every item in order — all three values print
3. for char in 'Hi':\n print(char)\nWhat prints?
A. Hi
B. H then i ✓
Looping over a string gives one character per iteration
4. What keyword follows 'for x'?
A. in ✓
B. of
The syntax is: for variable in sequence:
5. How many times does 'for i in range(3):' loop?
A. 3 times ✓
B. 4 times
range(3) produces 0, 1, 2 — three values, three iterations

Match the Pairs

for x in range(5) print(x) → Error: Missing colon after for
for in range(5): print('hi') → Error: Missing loop variable
for char in 'hello': print(char) → Valid: Loop through string
for item in [1, 2, 3]: print(item) → Ok: Loop through list
for i in range(3): print(i) → Output: 0 1 2
total = 0 for n in [1,2,3]: total += n print(total) → Output: 6

Key Term

for
Loop that iterates through each item in a sequence.~~in

Fill in the Blanks

1. for i in [1, 2, 3]: print(i)
2. for i in [1, 2, 3]: print(i)
3. for char in 'hello': print(char)
4. for color in ['red', 'blue']: print(color)
5. for i in range(5): print(i)

Spot the Error

Question 1
A total = 0
B for i in [1, 2, 3]
C total += i
D print(i)
E print('Sum:', total)
Line B — Missing colon at the end of the for line
Question 2
A total = 0
B for i in [1, 2, 3]:
C print(i)
D total += i
E print('Done')
Line C — The print line must be indented inside the for loop
Question 3
A total = 0
B For i in [1, 2, 3]:
C total += i
D print(i)
E print('Sum:', total)
Line B — for must be lowercase: For is not valid Python
Question 4
A total = 0
B for i of [1, 2, 3]:
C total += i
D print(i)
E print('Sum:', total)
Line B — Use 'in', not 'of': Python syntax is: for x in sequence:
Question 5
A total = 0
B for i in 5:
C total += i
D print('Sum:', total)
Line B — Can't loop over a plain number: use range(5) to loop 5 times

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