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c#c++cwhile-loopdo-while

'do...while' vs. 'while'


Possible Duplicates:
While vs. Do While
When should I use do-while instead of while loops?

I've been programming for a while now (2 years work + 4.5 years degree + 1 year pre-college), and I've never used a do-while loop short of being forced to in the Introduction to Programming course. I have a growing feeling that I'm doing programming wrong if I never run into something so fundamental.

Could it be that I just haven't run into the correct circumstances?

What are some examples where it would be necessary to use a do-while instead of a while?

(My schooling was almost all in C/C++ and my work is in C#, so if there is another language where it absolutely makes sense because do-whiles work differently, then these questions don't really apply.)

To clarify...I know the difference between a while and a do-while. While checks the exit condition and then performs tasks. do-while performs tasks and then checks exit condition.


Solution

  • If you always want the loop to execute at least once. It's not common, but I do use it from time to time. One case where you might want to use it is trying to access a resource that could require a retry, e.g.

    do
    {
       try to access resource...
       put up message box with retry option
    
    } while (user says retry);