For example. This code uses the classic for-loop where we begin at a certain number and end at another. After each body evaluation, the index is incremented (1 is added to it).
Start The variable "i" is declared and initialized to 0. The ":=" syntax indicates that this is a new variable.
Info We separate the 3 clauses of this form of the for-loop with semicolons. Braces are used for the loop body.
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
// Loop from 0 until 5 is reached.
for i := 0; i < 5; i++ {
// Display integer.
fmt.Println(i)
}
}0
1
2
3
4
Break. A for-loop can be specified with no condition. This loop continues infinitely until broken (as by a return or break statement).
Tip This is the same as a "while true" loop in other languages. It is a loop that has no specified terminating condition.
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
id := 10
// This loop continues infinitely until broken.
for {
// Break if id is past a certain number.
if id > 20 {
break
}
fmt.Println(id)
id += 5
}
}10
15
20
Condition, while. There is no while keyword here, but the for-loop can be used as a while-loop. It continues while the condition specified after "for" is true.
Here The variables "valid" and "i" are initialized. While "valid" is true, the loop continues iterating.
Detail The loop terminates after the variable "i" is incremented to 3, and valid is set to false.
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
valid := true
i := 0
// This loop continues while "valid" is true.
for valid {
// If i equals 3, set "valid" to false.
if i == 3 {
valid = false
}
fmt.Println(i)
i++
}
}0
1
2
3
Range and slice. The range keyword is used with a for-loop. When we use range on a slice, all the indexes in the slice are enumerated.
So The range of the three-element int slice here returns 0, 1 and 2. We use those to get elements from the slice.
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
// Create a slice of three ints.
ids := []int{10, 21, 35}
// Loop over range of indexes in the slice.
for i := range ids {
fmt.Println(ids[i])
}
}10
21
35
Range, no variables. Suppose we want to repeat a loop once for each element in a slice, but the loop does not use the slice. We can omit all the variables in a for-range loop.
Here We repeat a loop 3 times, based on the number of cats in the cats slice. We just print a message each time.
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
cats := []string{"Spot", "Meow", "Mittens"}
// Use a range loop with no variables.
for range cats {
fmt.Println("CAT ITERATION")
}
}CAT ITERATION
CAT ITERATION
CAT ITERATION
Foreach loop. Golang does not have a foreach keyword. But we can use a foreach loop by receiving 2 values in a for-range loop. We ignore the first, and the second is each element's value.
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
// Two strings in a slice.
animals := []string{"bird", "frog"}
// Loop over each element directly (foreach loop).// ... Ignore the first pair of each returned pair (the index).
for _, animal := range animals {
fmt.Println(animal)
}
}bird
frog
Decrement. A loop can decrement from a higher number to a lower one. We often test for "greater than or equal to" 0 in this case. The decrement statement uses two minus signs.
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
// Decrement loop.
for i := 4; i >= 0; i-- {
// Display loop index.
fmt.Println(i)
}
}4
3
2
1
0
Continue. This keyword ends the current iteration of a loop, but then the next iteration begins as usual. Unlike break, the loop itself is not terminated.
Here When an element in the int slice equals 10, we use continue to stop processing of the current iteration.
package main
import "fmt"
func main() {
elements := []int{10, 20}
for i := range elements {
// If element is 10, continue to next iteration.
if elements[i] == 10 {
fmt.Println("CONTINUE")
continue
}
fmt.Println("ELEMENT:", elements[i])
}
}CONTINUE
ELEMENT: 20
A summary. The for-loop in Go has many purposes. We use one of its forms to iterate in many ways. With range, a helpful keyword, we iterate in a clear way over collections.
Dot Net Perls is a collection of tested code examples. Pages are continually updated to stay current, with code correctness a top priority.
Sam Allen is passionate about computer languages. In the past, his work has been recommended by Apple and Microsoft and he has studied computers at a selective university in the United States.
This page was last updated on Feb 18, 2023 (edit).
