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JavaScript JavaScript Loops, Arrays and Objects Simplify Repetitive Tasks with Loops Create a while Loop

Posted by ilya A
ilya A
3,802 Points

Bummer: The `document.write()` method was called 27 times. It should be called 26 times.

I think that this code will pass if I simply change "26" to "25," but I would like to know the correct way of passing this challenge.

script.js 
var count = 0;
while (count <= 26) {
    document.write("loop has run" + count + "times")
  count += 1;
}

3 Answers

Ryan Lovett
Ryan Lovett
5,100 Points
Ryan Lovett
Ryan Lovett
5,100 Points

Try thinking of it like this, the script is running while count <= 26. In that case, when the count is set to 0 and even though 0 represents nothing, it still meets the conditions of the while loop, which is why the script still runs for 0. So then, in that case the script is actually running 27 times if you include the time it runs for 0 plus the 26 you defined as a condition.

Hope that clears it up a bit, it is tricky to think about. :)

ilya A
ilya A
3,802 Points

That makes perfect sense! Thank you. Now I am curious... Would it be possible to somehow use the number 26, and have it only run 26 times? (perhaps use a different equation?)

Ryan Lovett
Ryan Lovett
5,100 Points
Ryan Lovett
Ryan Lovett
5,100 Points

No problem, i'm glad that made more sense! To use the number 26, you would just have to set the count variable to 1 instead of 0 when you define it. Then it is running from 1 to 26 instead of 0 to 26, hope that helps!

Ryan Lovett
Ryan Lovett
5,100 Points
Ryan Lovett
Ryan Lovett
5,100 Points

Changing to 25 is actually the correct way, you're on the right track! Think about what is happening here, you are setting the count to 0 and running until count <= (less the OR equal to) 26, so really you are telling it to run 27 times when you include the 0.

So if you want it to run 26 times, setting it to 25 will do just that since you are starting from 0 and 0 is included as one of those times. If you were starting from 1 then the current way you have it would work. Don't worry, this tends to stump a lot of people.

Hope this helps!

ilya A
ilya A
3,802 Points

That was helpful, thank you. But I find it strange how zero counts as 1

Mark Wilkowske
PLUS
Mark Wilkowske
Courses Plus Student 18,131 Points
Mark Wilkowske
Mark Wilkowske
Courses Plus Student 18,131 Points

When count first enters the while loop it is 0 and less than 26 so it prints out.

In JavaScript, think of variables as occupying a space in browser memory.

var count = 0; this literally means: we are defining a space in memory called 'count' and at this time zero is in 'count'. This is not saying 'nothing' is in count. During the loop count changes until a limit is reached when the loop stops.

(count < 26) passes the challenge.

(count <= 25) - passes the challenge as well but there's an important reason not to go that route - I need to brush up more.

You can console.log both versions and see but first add a ; to the end of your document.write line.