Hi, Answers inline. -----Original Message----- From: Python-list [mailto:python-list-bounces+joseph.lee22590=gmail....@python.org] On Behalf Of Michael Selik Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2016 6:16 AM To: Elizabeth Weiss <cake...@gmail.com>; python-list@python.org Subject: Re: Iteration, while loop, and for loop
On Tue, Jun 28, 2016 at 8:41 AM Elizabeth Weiss <cake...@gmail.com> wrote: > I do not understand the second code. What is counter? > It looks like someone wanted to make a loop induction variable. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_variable JL: Or access the array item via indexing. > Why do we use this code if we can use the simpler for loop? > You should not. Use the first version, it's much better. Python for-loops are preferable to while-loops. JL: Indexing is useful if one wishes to assign something different to the position represented by container[index]. But if you want a more elegant way to access the actual object in question, then using the first fragment is better (and more readable). For the most part, for loops are better, but there are times when while loops are preferable such as when you don't know the size of the input beforehand. Cheers, Joseph - https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list -- https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list