statement/FOR statement/FOR NAME FOR -- Defines a program loop ABBREVIATION f <shift> O SYNOPSIS FOR <loop_var>=<start_val> TO <end_val> [STEP <increment>] FUNCTION This statement works with the NEXT statement to set up a section of the program that repeats for a set number of times. You may just want your computer to count up to a large number so the program pauses for a few seconds, in case you need something counted, or something must be done a certain number of times (such as printing). The loop variable (<loop_var>) is the variable that is added to or subtracted from during the FOR-NEXT loop. The start value (<start_val>) and the end value (<end_val>) are the beginning and ending counts for the loop variable. The logic of the FOR statement is as follows. First, the loop variable (<loop_var>) is set to the start value (<start_val>). When the program reaches a line with the command NEXT, it adds the STEP increment (<increment>) to the value of the loop variable and checks to see if it is higher than the end of loop value. If it is not higher, the next line executed is the statement immediately following the FOR statement. If the loop variable is larger than the end of loop number, then the next statement executed is the one following the NEXT statement. The end loop value may be followed by the word STEP and another number or variable. This allows you to count backwards, by fractions, or any way necessary. INPUTS <loop_var> - variable which holds the loop counter value <start_val> - start value for loop variable (<loop_var>) <end_val> - end value for loop variable (<loop_var>) <increment> - value to be added to or subtracted from loop variable RESULT Performs the statements between the FOR statement and the NEXT statement until the loop variable reaches the end value. EXAMPLES 10 FOR L=1 TO 20 20 PRINT L 30 NEXT L 40 PRINT "BLACKJACK! L="L Prints the numbers from one to twenty ob the screen, followed by the message BLACKJACK! L=21. 10 FOR L=1 TO 100 20 FOR A=5 TO 11 STEP 2 30 NEXT A 40 NEXT L FOR-NEXT loop with loop variable A is nested inside the larger one. NOTES STEP increment default value is 1. A STEP value can be positive or negative. You can set up loops inside one another. This is known as nesting loops. You must be careful to nest loops so that the last loop to start is the first one to end. BUGS None SEE ALSO DO NEXT