Which of the following statements about the use of break statements in a while loop are true?
1. The condition after the while keyword must eventually evaluate to False.
2. The else block associated with the while loop is executed only if break is invoked.
3. It is possible to terminate a while loop only if a break is invoked.
4. If break is invoked, the else block associated with the while loop is not executed.
Answer (2)
To understand the use of break statements in a while loop, let's analyze each of the provided statements:
The condition after the while keyword must eventually evaluate to False.
This statement is not strictly true. A while loop continues executing as long as its condition evaluates to True. However, it doesn't always have to naturally reach a point where the condition is False. It is a logical expectation for proper loop termination, but not a requirement enforced by the language. The loop might end due to other mechanisms like a break statement.
The else block associated with the while loop is executed only if break is invoked.
This statement is not correct. The else block is executed only if the loop finishes normally (i.e., the condition evaluates to False) and not if the loop ends with a break statement.
It is possible to terminate a while loop only if a break is invoked.
This statement is incorrect. There are two ways a while loop might terminate: naturally, when its condition evaluates to False, or artificially, via a break statement inside the loop body.
If break is invoked, the else block associated with the while loop is not executed.
This statement is true. When a break statement is encountered inside a loop, the loop stops executing immediately, and the else block is skipped.
So, the correct statement about the use of a break statement in a while loop is number 4: "If break is invoked, the else block associated with the while loop is not executed."
The correct statement regarding break statements in a while loop is that if break is invoked, the else block associated with the while loop is not executed. Other statements about while loops also clarify that while loops can end on their own or via a break, and the else block only runs under certain conditions. Options 1, 2, and 3 are incorrect based on how while loops and break statements function.
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