entry-controlled loop

noun

UK /ˈɛntri kənˌtrəʊld luːp/

US /ˈɛntri kənˌtroʊld lup/

A loop that checks its test before doing the steps inside.

A while loop is an entry-controlled loop because it tests the condition before running the body.

SYNONYMS

pre-test loop pretest loop top-tested loop condition-first loop

RELATED WORDS

while loop for loop exit-controlled loop loop condition iteration

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A loop whose controlling condition is evaluated at the start of each pass, so the body may run zero times.

If the condition is false at the start, an entry-controlled loop skips its body entirely.

3. A programming construct where the guard appears before the repeated statements in the source code.

The teacher explained that an entry-controlled loop puts its test at the top of the loop.

4. A loop structure contrasted with a do-while loop, which tests after the body.

Unlike a do-while loop, an entry-controlled loop can execute its body zero times.