Step size

Definition

Step size is the increment or decrement by which a loop variable is updated each iteration. It determines how quickly the loop progresses towards its termination condition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The default step size in a Python while loop is typically 1, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
2. Step size can be positive (incrementing) or negative (decrementing).
3. Incorrectly setting the step size can result in infinite loops if the termination condition is never met.
4. Using a larger step size can reduce the number of iterations but may skip important values.
5. In Python, step size is often manually controlled within the loop body using operations like i += 1 or i -= 1.

Review Questions

• What happens if you accidentally set a step size that doesn't allow the loop to meet its termination condition?
• How would you implement a while loop with a negative step size in Python?
• Why might you choose to use a larger step size when designing your loop?

Related terms

While Loop: A control flow statement that repeatedly executes code as long as its condition remains true.

Iteration: A single pass through the loop's body during execution.

Infinite Loop: A loop that continues indefinitely because its termination condition is never met.