5 replies to this topic

[Kalner]

So I noticed that both for and while loops have a infinite loop option, is there any difference between them? 

[Cornstalks]

Assuming you mean while (true) vs for (;;) vs do { } while (true), no, there's no technical difference.
 
However, I've seem some compilers generate a warning* for while (true) and do { } while (true) but not generate a warning for for (;;), in which case for (;;) may be preferred to avoid a warning.
*For example, see this question.

Edit: I just realized this question was tagged Java and was assuming C or C++ when I was talking about the warning stuff. It's the same in Java as it is in C and C++ in that there's no real technical difference between these infinite looping methods, but the compiler warning issue I talked about isn't relevant in Java.

Edited by Cornstalks, 28 December 2012 - 05:06 PM.

[Kalner]

Thanks

[Mussi]

Didn't know about the compiler warning, nor have I experienced it myself, but that's good to know. I always went with while(true) because for(;;) didn't come naturally to me, but I'll probably switch it up to for(;;) now.

[Dan Mayor]

I don't believe there's any performance difference between any flavors of the infinite loops but my personal preference is always to use a while(someValue == true).  This allows for the loop to be cancelled from within itself or from outside of the loop in say another thread.

[return0]

Threads... be careful with this.