For Loops

The for loop iterates over a range of numbers. In Python you’d write for i in range(1, 6):. In lil it’s for i = 1 to 5 {:

for i = 1 to 5 {
  write(i)
}

This prints 1 through 5. The loop variable (i) starts at the first value and increments by 1 each iteration until it exceeds the second value. The end value is inclusive: for i = 1 to 5 iterates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Python’s range(1, 6) includes 1 but excludes 6. lil’s 1 to 5 includes both ends.

Using the loop variable in calculations

for i = 1 to 10 {
  write(i * i)
}

Prints 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100. The loop variable is just a regular variable you can use in any expression.

Store results in another variable:

squares = 0
for i = 1 to 10 {
  squares = squares + i * i
}
write(squares)

This sums the squares of 1 through 10.

Expressions for range bounds

You can use expressions for the start and end values:

start = 2
end = 10
for i = start to end {
  write(i)
}

No counting down

lil’s for only counts up. To count down, use a while loop:

i = 10
while i >= 1 {
  write(i)
  i = i - 1
}

Nested for loops: multiplication table

for row = 1 to 5 {
  line = ""
  for col = 1 to 5 {
    line = line + " " + row * col
  }
  write(line)
}

Prints a 5x5 multiplication table. Each row builds up a string as the inner loop runs.

Break in for loops

for i = 1 to 100 {
  if i > 3 { break }
  write(i)
}

This prints 1, 2, 3.