Learning Python, Day 11 — Loops

05 Mar, 2026

Yesterday, the mood was more "after telling a doctor that, no, I am not remotely trying to ever focus on my weight, thank you, I'm going to a queer karaoke night, amazing a bunch of twenty-somethings by singing to Troy Hess's "Please Don't Go Topless, Mother", and then getting maudlin drunk on plum wine cocktails, feeling old, depressed, and regretful."

I'm hoping that, today, if I just manage to get through Loops, I will have accomplished something. Ugh, save me from middle-aged ennui, Python. You're my only hope.

15 — Loops, 16 — While Loops Examples, & 17 — For Loops Examples

Back when I was dicking around in BASIC as a bored tween, I set up a program where it would ask me what I wanted to do. But it would always GOTO asking me what I wanted to do after repeating whatever I typed, so it was an endless loop that I'd eventually have to close the program to get out of.

But, hey, at least that means I know what a loop is.

Today, I'm in a The Wicker Man mood, so our Loops are going to be the ancient ritual of walking under a ring of swords while everyone yells "Chop chop chop!"

chop = 0
chopped = 5
while chop < chopped:
	chop += 1
	print("YOU'RE SAVED")
	if chop == chopped:
		print("CHOP CHOP CHOP")


>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> CHOP CHOP CHOP

I like knowing that there is a way to include a break in the loop, unlike my BASIC program.

chop = 0
chopped = 5
swords = 4
while chop < chopped:
	chop += 1
	print("YOU'RE SAVED")
	if chop == swords:
		print("CHOP CHOP CHOP")
		break
print("YOU DIED")


>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> CHOP CHOP CHOP
>> YOU DIED

I also like knowing there are ways to continue the program.

chop = 0
chopped = 5
swords = 4
Holly = 4
while chop < chopped:
	chop += 1
	print("YOU'RE SAVED")
	if Holly > 2:
		continue
	if chop == swords:
		print("CHOP CHOP CHOP")
		break
print("TO THE SEA")


>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> YOU'RE SAVED
>> TO THE SEA

When I learn how to have random numbers, y'all better watch out for my Chop Chop game.

I did reach a weird bit when I was trying to do a For In Loop. When I do it this way:

original_treks = range(1,7)
for i in original_treks:
	print(i)


>> 1
>> 2
>> 3
>> 4
>> 5
>> 6

I get 1 to 6 listed. As it should.

So then I try to add a bit more.

original_treks = range(1,7)
for i in original_treks:
	print("Star Trek ") and print(i)


>> Star Trek 
>> Star Trek 
>> Star Trek 
>> Star Trek 
>> Star Trek 
>> Star Trek

This, however, just gives me Star Trek returned. No numbers.

But this

original_treks = range(1,7)
for i in original_treks:
	print("Star Trek ")
	print(i)


>> Star Trek 
>> 1
>> Star Trek 
>> 2
>> Star Trek 
>> 3
>> Star Trek 
>> 4
>> Star Trek 
>> 5
>> Star Trek 
>> 6

Gives me Star Trek and then the number on a new line.

But the and should work, right? Like, I can't have print("Star Trek " + i) because you can't concatenate a string and an integer, and, for some reason, adding in str(i) isn't turning that i into a string, so not even that works.

I'll figure it out eventually. I'm just a little annoyed.

At least the list versions work nicely.

fish = ["Coelacanth", "Sea Bass", "Dab", "Oarfish","Squid"]
for item in fish:
	print(item)


>> Coelacanth
>> Sea Bass
>> Dab
>> Oarfish
>> Squid

But then I didn't pay attention to the instructor and oh no I accidentally made an infinite loop.

fish = ["Coelacanth", "Sea Bass", "Dab", "Oarfish","Squid"]
for item in fish:
	print(item)
i = 0
while i < len(fish):
	print(fish[i])

(It's missing the i += 1 between the while and print.)

I like coelacanths, but I didn't mean to do infinite coelacanth. Whoops.

Day 11 — Results

While Loops are for when we don't know how many times a loop should run. So you could have infinite While Loop, like my old BASIC routine.
To create a While Loop, add in while [item] [condition]:.
You can break a While Loop by adding in break after a condition is met.
You can also continue a While Loop by adding in continue after a condition is met.
For Loops (or For In Loops) are for when you have a set number of times you want the loop to run, visiting every item in a range or a list.
To create a For In Loop, add in for [item] in [range/list]:
You can also use break and continue.
And you can have it only go to specific items in a list by referring to its index number.

Next time, it's Functions. God, I hope this isn't BEDMAS math again.

Today's Sticker

Christopher Lee, as Lord Summerisle, stands with his arms upraised in front of the Wicker Man. Underneath, there is text that says "Old Ways".

Lord Summerisle, in front of his Wicker Man, praising the Old Ways, from the Weird Walk The Wicker Man Sticker Pack.

#kate learns python #programming