---
title: 5.3 for Loop
description: "A `for` loop repeatedly executes a block of statements while a specified condition remains `true`. It combines initialization, condition evaluation, and iteration into a single loop statement, making it particularly suitable when the loop has a clearly defined counter or…"
url: "https://edcret.in/docs/cpp-programming/loops/5-3-for-loop/"
updated: "2026-09-06"
category: C++ Programming / Loops
---

# 5.3 for Loop

A `for` loop repeatedly executes a block of statements while a specified condition remains `true`. It combines initialization, condition evaluation, and iteration into a single loop statement, making it particularly suitable when the loop has a clearly defined counter or iteration sequence.

The `for` loop consists of three expressions: an initialization expression, a condition, and an iteration expression. The initialization is executed once before the loop begins, the condition is evaluated before each iteration, and the iteration expression is evaluated after each execution of the loop body.

## Source Code

```
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
    for (int count = 1; count <= 5; ++count)
    {
        std::cout << "Count: " << count << '\n';
    }

    return 0;
}
```

## Output

```
Count: 1
Count: 2
Count: 3
Count: 4
Count: 5
```

## Explanation

- `for` begins a `for` loop.
- `int count = 1` is the initialization expression and is executed once before the first iteration.
- `count <= 5` is the loop condition and is evaluated before each iteration.
- `++count` is the iteration expression and increments `count` after each execution of the loop body.
- The loop body executes while the condition evaluates to `true`.
- When `count` becomes `6`, the condition `count <= 5` evaluates to `false`, and the loop terminates.
- The variable `count` declared in the initialization expression is local to the `for` loop.
- The three expressions in a `for` statement are separated by semicolons.
- `return 0;` terminates the program successfully.