What is the difference between a for loop and a while loop in Python?

a) for loops are used for infinite loops, while loops are not

b) for loops iterate over a sequence, while loops run as long as a condition is true

c) for loops are faster than while loops

d) There is no difference

Answer:

b) for loops iterate over a sequence, while loops run as long as a condition is true

Explanation:

The primary difference between a for loop and a while loop in Python is in how they operate. A for loop is typically used to iterate over a sequence (such as a list, tuple, or string), whereas a while loop continues to execute as long as a specified condition remains true.

# Example of a for loop
for item in [1, 2, 3]:
    print(item)  # Iterates over each item in the list

# Example of a while loop
x = 0
while x < 3:
    print(x)
    x += 1  # Runs until x is no longer less than 3

A for loop is ideal when you know the number of iterations in advance or when iterating over elements in a collection. A while loop is better suited for scenarios where the number of iterations depends on a condition that may change during execution.

Understanding when to use each type of loop is essential for writing efficient and effective Python code.