The while statement

The while statement conditionally executes an embedded statement zero or more times.

while-statement:
while (boolean-expression) embedded-statement

A while statement is executed as follows:

· The boolean-expression (§7.20) is evaluated.

· If the boolean expression yields true, control is transferred to the embedded statement. When and if control reaches the end point of the embedded statement (possibly from execution of a continue statement), control is transferred to the beginning of the while statement.

· If the boolean expression yields false, control is transferred to the end point of the while statement.

Within the embedded statement of a while statement, a break statement (§8.9.1) may be used to transfer control to the end point of the while statement (thus ending iteration of the embedded statement), and a continue statement (§8.9.2) may be used to transfer control to the end point of the embedded statement (thus performing another iteration of the while statement).

The embedded statement of a while statement is reachable if the while statement is reachable and the boolean expression does not have the constant value false.

The end point of a while statement is reachable if at least one of the following is true:

· The while statement contains a reachable break statement that exits the while statement.

· The while statement is reachable and the boolean expression does not have the constant value true.