For Loop in Mathematica - how it works

In Mathematica, for loops are basically very easy to create. However, the For Loop syntax is a bit different here than in most other Mathematica functions. The principle of the For-Loop in Mathematica is closely based on that of Java or C #.

For-Loop in Mathematica

You can implement For loops in Mathematica with just a few characters in a line. In contrast to the Mathematica-typical syntax with double square brackets and semicolons as separators, you use single square brackets and separate areas with commas. We explain the basic for loop below. We will go into more detail in the following picture gallery about a few special features and special cases.

• The principle of the For loop in Mathematica can be seen in the graphic below: For [start, test, increase, body]
• The "For" command must be capitalized and followed by square brackets.
• In the square brackets you first write which run variable you want to use and where it starts (start).
• Insert a comma and write your test condition (test) after it. Before each new loop it is checked whether this condition is met.
• Also separate this section with a comma and now determine how the run variable or any other variable should change with each run (increase).
• After another comma, write the command that should be executed in each loop pass (body).
• Perhaps the simplest For loop in Mathematica is "For [i = 1, i <10, i ++, Print [i]]". The numbers from 1 to 9 are output here.
• The principle is basically the same as for example with C #.
• Since the body in the loop is not output, no semicolon behind a for loop is required.

How to divide in Mathematica, create plots and 3D plots and import, edit and export WAV files are explained in further CHIP online practical tips.

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In Mathematica, the run variable of for-loops is defined globally and not purely locally as with tables. In this example, i changes from 100 through the for loop to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and then to 6. Now the test condition "i <= 5" no longer applies and the loop is not executed again.

With a few exceptions, such as "Print []", the For Loop does not allow direct output of values. The loop shown here is practically useless.

To output something anyway, define an empty array before the loop, like x here. Save the desired output, like these three plots, in this array.

Now you can tap and execute "x" to see the plots you want.

Warning: If you want to execute several commands in a for loop, you must separate them with a semicolon. A simple line break is ignored and Mathematica considers it a multiplication.