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Collin

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How do you create nested loops?

Hello everyone. Happy to break a CodeNewbie!

I've been working with JavaScript lately and have hit a snag: nested loops. Can anyone explain to me how you create nested loops?

Thanks in advance!

Top comments (3)

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djuber profile image
Daniel Uber

Hi Collin,

I think you want to just put the "inner" loop inside the "outer" loop. For example

var i, j; 

for(i=0; i<3; i++) {
  for(j=0; j<3; j++) {
    console.log(i, j, i+j);
  }
}
0 0 0
0 1 1
0 2 2
1 0 1
1 1 2
1 2 3
2 0 2
2 1 3
2 2 4
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In this case, the outer loop runs first, setting the variable i to it's value, and while keeping that value constant, the inner loop runs setting j from 0 to 2 in order. When that's done, the outer loop sets i to its next value, and the inner loop runs again.

You can see from the logged statements the sequence these variables step through.

Why would you do this? It's not uncommon if you have a nested structure (like an array of arrays, or an array of objects) to want to do the same "loop" to each item in the top level collection.

This wouldn't have to be for loops - you could use forEach or while or any other "loop" construct, the key idea is that a variable set during the outer loop's execution is "fixed" while the inner loop is running, and the inner loop will run once for each value in the outer loop. In every case, put the inner loop inside the body of the outer loop - any place you would have put another expression you can add a loop.

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wannabecoder profile image
Collin

Thanks very much, this helps a lot!

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larrymartin1job profile image
Larry Martin

To create nested loops in JavaScript you can place one loop inside another. For instance using a for loop inside another for loop allows you to execute iterations for both loops simultaneously aiding in various iterations and pattern creations.
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