Which loop to use, for or do/while?

Question

Using C# (or VB.NET) which loop (for loop or do/while loop) should be used when a counter is required?

Does it make a difference if the loop should only iterate a se

Answer 1

I ususually use for, cause it's simple. I use while when counter is needed after or before loop or if using for is impossible.

Answer 2

How about the best of both worlds:

for (int iLoop = 0; iLoop < int.MaxValue && !Criteria; iLoop++)

Edit: Now that I think about it, I suppose comparing against int.MaxValue wasn't part of the criteria, but something to emulate an endless for loop, in that case you could just use:

for (int iLoop = 0; !Criterea; iLoop++)

Answer 3

There's no reason not to use a for loop in this case. Even if you have other criteria, it's perfectly valid to write:

for (int iLoop = 0; iLoop < int.MaxValue && Criteria; iLoop++) { ... }

Answer 4

Personally I would go with the for loop.

It is better to read, more commonly used and very optimized.

for (int iLoop = 0; iLoop < int.MaxValue && !Criteria; iLoop++)
{
// Do Work
}

Edit: int.MaxValue && !Criteria <- a definietely better approach than my initial one ;)

Answer 5

You can always add the exit criteria to for loop:

for (int iLoop = 0; iLoop < int.MaxValue && Criteria; iLoop++)
{
  //Maybe do work here
}

I would really go for whatever looks most readable in your particular case.

Answer 6

for (int iLoop = 0; iLoop < int.MaxValue && !Criteria; iLoop++) {
    //Do work here...
}