On Fri, May 08, 2015 at 05:11:49PM -0700, Danny Yoo wrote: > Also, you can write a loop that goes from 1 to N by using range(). For > example: > > ######################## > for n in range(1, N+1): > print(n, 2*n) > ######################## > > The while loop that you have does work, but the for loop here is more > idiomatic in expressing the idea of "Do the following for this > collection of values ..."
Why do so many beginners turn to while loops when they want to iterate over a fixed sequence? I know that Learn Python The Hard Way teaches while loops first. I think that is a terrible idea. That's like going to a cookery class where for the first three weeks they teach you to chop vegetables with a spoon, and only in the fourth week say "Guess what? There's an easier way! Introducing the knife!!!!" While-loops should be taught after for-loops. The fact that from a computer-science theoretical perspective while-loops are more fundamental is irrelevant. We don't teach people bitwise operators before teaching them arithmetic. Loops are no different. -- Steve _______________________________________________ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
