What is the main difference between a while loop and a for loop in C++?

Prepare for the ASU CSE100 Programming Exam with C++ Study Guide. Review flashcards, multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations. Master your exam!

The main difference between a while loop and a for loop lies in their structure and the way they handle iteration and conditions. A while loop runs continuously until a specified condition evaluates to false, making it ideal for situations where the number of iterations is not known beforehand. This allows the loop to adapt dynamically to changing conditions or inputs, which provides flexibility in programming.

On the other hand, a for loop is designed with a predetermined iteration count in mind and typically includes initialization, condition checking, and incrementing in its structure. This makes for loops especially useful when you know exactly how many times you want to execute the loop.

Thus, option C aptly captures this fundamental distinction by highlighting that while loops are based on a true/false condition that can lead to varying iteration counts, for loops are structured around a fixed number of iterations established at the outset.

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