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

The distinction between a while loop and a for loop lies primarily in how they structure the iteration process. A while loop checks a condition before each iteration, which means the loop will continue to execute as long as that condition remains true. This setup allows for potentially complex conditions to be verified before entering the loop body.

In contrast, a for loop typically encapsulates the loop setup, condition, and iteration in a single line, making it particularly effective for situations where you know in advance how many times you want the loop to execute. This can make the for loop more concise and easier to read when dealing with a fixed number of iterations, such as iterating over the elements of an array.

Thus, the correct answer highlights the noteworthy difference in terms of how these loops manage their conditions and iterations, emphasizing the structural characteristics that guide their usage in programming.