Infinite loop

Definition

An infinite loop is a sequence of instructions in programming that loops endlessly without a terminating condition. This typically occurs due to logic errors or incorrect conditions in the loop.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Infinite loops can cause programs to freeze or crash, consuming all available resources.
2. They occur when the loop's exit condition is never met.
3. Using break statements within the loop can help prevent infinite loops by providing an explicit exit point.
4. Common causes include incorrect comparison operators and missing increment/decrement operations in the loop control variables.
5. Debugging tools and print statements are often used to identify and fix infinite loops.

Review Questions

• What is an infinite loop, and how does it occur?
• How can break statements be used to avoid infinite loops?
• What are some common causes of infinite loops in Python?

Related terms

Break Statement: A control statement used to exit a loop prematurely before its normal termination condition is met.

Continue Statement: A control statement that skips the current iteration of a loop and proceeds to the next iteration.

Loop Control Variable: A variable that controls the number of times a loop executes, typically modified within the loop's body.