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# C++ While Loop
A `while` loop is a pre-test control flow statement that repeatedly executes a target statement or block of code as long as a specified expression evaluates to `true`. Because the condition is evaluated before the loop body executes, the loop body will not execute at all if the initial condition evaluates to `false`.
## Syntax
```cpp theme={"dark"}
while (condition) {
// loop body
}
```
## Execution Mechanics
1. **Condition Evaluation:** The `condition` is evaluated first. This expression must be contextually convertible to `bool`.
2. **Execution:** If the condition evaluates to `true`, the statements within the loop body are executed sequentially.
3. **Iteration:** After the loop body completes, control flow jumps back to the condition evaluation.
4. **Termination:** If the condition evaluates to `false`, the loop terminates immediately. Control flow passes to the first statement following the loop block.
## Variable Declaration in Condition
C++ permits the declaration and initialization of a variable directly within the `while` condition. The loop executes as long as the initialized variable contextually converts to `true` (e.g., non-zero for integers, non-null for pointers).
```cpp theme={"dark"}
while (Type variable_name = expression) {
// variable_name is in scope here
}
// variable_name is out of scope here
```
Variables declared this way are scoped strictly to the loop block and are destroyed and recreated on every iteration.
## Loop Control Statements
The standard execution flow of a `while` loop can be altered using jump statements:
* **`break`**: Immediately terminates the innermost enclosing `while` loop. Control flow jumps to the statement immediately following the loop body, bypassing any remaining condition checks.
* **`continue`**: Interrupts the current iteration. Control flow jumps directly to the end of the loop body, skipping any remaining statements, and forces an immediate re-evaluation of the `while` condition.
## Infinite Loops
If the condition expression never evaluates to `false` and no `break` statement is encountered, the loop becomes an infinite loop. The standard idiom for an intentional infinite loop in C++ is:
```cpp theme={"dark"}
while (true) {
// executes indefinitely unless interrupted by a jump statement or program termination
}
```
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