Which loop is used when you are unsure how many times you may need to iterate?

The while loop is appropriate for situations where the number of iterations is uncertain at the start. It continues executing as long as its specified condition remains true. This is especially useful in scenarios such as waiting for user input until a specific command is entered or processing data until a certain condition is met.

The loop starts by evaluating the condition, and if it evaluates to true, the block of code inside the loop is executed. This process repeats until the condition becomes false, at which point the loop terminates. Because it checks the condition before each iteration, it naturally accommodates situations where the number of required iterations is not known ahead of time.

In contrast, a for loop is typically used when the number of iterations is predetermined, making it less suitable for cases of uncertainty. A do-while loop, while similar to a while loop, guarantees that the code will execute at least once, which is not always desired if the initial condition is false. An infinite loop, on the other hand, is not a structured approach to iteration and can lead to programs running endlessly if not controlled, making it unsuitable for general-purpose repetition without a predetermined exit condition.