ASP.NET With C# - Conditions: Counting and looping

	Counting and looping

Conditional Looping

Introduction

A loop is a type of conditional statement that keeps checking a condition and executing a statement until the condition is false.

while a Condition is True

One of the operators used to perform a loop is called while. Its formula is:

while(Condition) Statement;

To execute this expression, the Condition is first examined. If the Condition is true, then the Statement executes. After executing the Statement, the Condition is checked again. AS LONG AS the Condition is true, the Statement will be executed. When or once the Condition becomes false, the loop exits. This can be illustrated as follows:

While

Here is an example:

<%@ Page Language="C#" %>
<html>
<head>

<title>Exercise</title>
</head>
<body>

<%
    int Stories = 0;
	
    while( Stories <= 4 )
    {
        Response.Write(Stories.ToString() + "<br />");
        Stories++;
    }
%>

</body>
</html>

This would produce:

While

To effectively execute a while condition, you should make sure you provide a mechanism for the condition, variable, or expression being checked. This is sometimes in the form of a variable being initialized although it could be some other expression. Such a while condition could be illustrated as follows:

While

do This while a Condition is True

The while loop is used first to check a condition and then execute a statement. If the condition is false, the statement would never execute. Consider the following program:

<%@ Page Language="C#" %>
<html>
<head>

<title>Exercise</title>
</head>
<body>

<%
    int Stories = 5;

    while (Stories <= 4)
    {
        Response.Write(Stories + "<br />");
        Stories++;
    }
%>

</body>
</html>

When this program executes, nothing from the while loop would execute because, as the condition is checked in the beginning, it is false and it would not get to the Statement. In some cases, you may want to execute a statement before checking the condition for the first time. This can be done using the do…while statement. Its formula is:

do Statement while (Condition);

The do…while condition executes a Statement first. After the first execution of the Statement, it examines the Condition. If the Condition is true, then it executes the Statement again. It will keep executing the Statement AS LONG AS the Condition is true. Once the Condition becomes false, the looping (the execution of the Statement) would stop.

If the Statement is a short one, such as made of one line, simply write it after the do keyword. Like the if and the while statements, the Condition being checked must be included between parentheses. The whole do…while statement must end with a semicolon.

do...while

Another version of the counting program seen previously would be:

<%@ Page Language="C#" %>
<html>
<head>

<title>Exercise</title>
</head>
<body>

<%
    int Stories = 0;

    do
        Response.Write((Stories++).ToString() + "<br />");
    while (Stories <= 4);
%>

</body>
</html>

This would produce:

do...while

If the Statement is long and should span more than one line, start it with an opening curly bracket "{" and end it with a closing curly bracket "}".

for

The for statement is typically used to count a number of items. At its regular structure, it is divided in three parts. The first section specifies the starting point for the count. The second section sets the counting limit. The last section determines the counting frequency. The syntax of the for statement is:

for(Start; End; Frequency) Statement;

The Start expression is a variable assigned the starting value. This could be Count = 0;

The End expression sets the criteria for ending the counting. An example would be Count < 24; this means the counting would continue as long as the Count variable is less than 24. When the count is about to rich 24, because in this case 24 is excluded, the counting would stop. To include the counting limit, use the <= or >= comparison operators depending on how you are counting.

The Frequency expression would let the compiler know how many numbers to add or subtract before continuing with the loop. This expression could be an increment operation such as ++Count.

Here is an example that applies the for statement:

<%@ Page Language="C#" %>
<html>
<head>

<title>Exercise</title>
</head>
<body>

<%
    for (int Stories = 1; Stories <= 6; Stories++)
            Response.Write(Stories.ToString() + "<br />");
%>

</body>
</html>

This would produce:

for

Controlling the Conditional Statements

Nesting a Conditional Statement

You can write one conditional statement inside of another. This is referred to as nesting. To create a conditional statement inside of another, simply proceed as we have done so far to create them.

Practical Learning: Introducing Conditional Switches

Start Microsoft Visual Studio or Microsoft Visual Web Developer
Start creating a web site
Set the language to Visual C# et set the site name to timesheet3
Click OK
In the Solution Explorer, right-click Default.aspx and click Rename
Type index.aspx and press Enter

Click the Source button and change the file as follows:

<%@ Page Language="C#"
         AutoEventWireup="true"  
         CodeFile="index.aspx.cs" 
         Inherits="_Default" %>

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" 
     "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">

<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head runat="server">
<title>Time Sheet</title>
  
</head>
<body>
<form id="frmTimeSheet" runat="server">
<div>

<table style="width: 500px">
  <tr>
    <td style="width:90px">Employee #:</td>
    <td style="width:20px">
      <asp:TextBox ID="txtEmployeeNumber"
                   Columns="10" runat="server"></asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td style="width:50px; text-align: center">
        <asp:Button ID="btnFind" runat="server" Text="Find" />
    </td>
    <td>
      <asp:TextBox ID="txtEmployeeName"
                   Width="215px" runat="server"></asp:TextBox>
    </td>
        </tr>
        </table>

&nbsp;

<table border="0" width="600">
  <tr>
    <td style="width:90px"></td>
    <td align="center">Monday</td>
    <td align="center">Tuesday</td>
    <td align="center">Wednesday</td>
    <td align="center">Thursday</td>
    <td align="center">Friday</td>
    <td align="center">Saturday</td>
    <td align="center">Sunday</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Week 1:</td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek1Monday"
                     runat="server"
                     Columns="5">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek1Tuesday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek1Wednesday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek1Thursday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek1Friday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek1Saturday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek1Sunday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Week 2:</td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek2Monday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek2Tuesday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek2Wednesday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek2Thursday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek2Friday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek2Saturday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek2Sunday"
                     Columns="5" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
  </tr>
</table>

&nbsp;

<table width="600">
  <tr>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:Button ID="btnEvaluate" Width="200"
                    Text="Evaluate Time Sheet" runat="server" />
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>

&nbsp;

<table border="0" style="width:450px">
  <tr>
    <td style="width:350px;"></td>
    <td align="center">Regular Time</td>
    <td align="center">Overtime</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td align="right">Week 1</td>
    <td width="33%" align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek1RegularTime"
                     Columns="10" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td width="34%" align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek1Overtime"
                     Columns="10" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td align="right">Week 2</td>
    <td width="33%" align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek2RegularTime"
                     Columns="10" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
    <td width="34%" align="center">
        <asp:TextBox ID="txtWeek2Overtime"
                     Columns="10" runat="server">0.00</asp:TextBox>
      </td>
  </tr>
</table>
    
&nbsp;

<table style="width:600px">
  <tr>
    <td align="center">
        <asp:Label ID="lblMessage" runat="server" Text="."></asp:Label>
      </td>
  </tr>
  </table>
    
</div>
</form>
</body>
</html>

Save the file and click the Design button

Double-click the top button on the form and implement its event as follows:

protected void btnFind_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
        if (txtEmployeeNumber.Text.Equals("22-804"))
        {
            txtEmployeeName.Text = "Helene Mukoko";
            lblMessage.Text = "";
        }
        else if (txtEmployeeNumber.Text.Equals("92-746"))
        {
            txtEmployeeName.Text = "Raymond Kouma";
            lblMessage.Text = "";
        }
        else if (txtEmployeeNumber.Text.Equals("54-080"))
        {
            txtEmployeeName.Text = "Henry Larson";
            lblMessage.Text = "";
        }
        else if (txtEmployeeNumber.Text.Equals("86-285"))
        {
            txtEmployeeName.Text = "Gertrude Monay";
            lblMessage.Text = "";
        }
        else if (txtEmployeeNumber.Text.Equals("20-860"))
        {
            txtEmployeeName.Text = "Paul Bertrand Yamaguchi";
            lblMessage.Text = "";
        }
        else
        {
            txtEmployeeName.Text = "Unidentified Employee";
            lblMessage.Text = "You must enter a valid employee number.";
        }
}

Click the index.aspx tab to return to the form

Double-click the Evaluate and implement the event as follows:

protected void btnEvaluate_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
        if( txtEmployeeNumber.Text.Equals("") )
        {
            double Week1Monday, Week1Tuesday, Week1Wednesday,
               Week1Thursday, Week1Friday, Week1Saturday, Week1Sunday;
            double Week2Monday, Week2Tuesday, Week2Wednesday,
                   Week2Thursday, Week2Friday, Week2Saturday, Week2Sunday;
            double Week1RegularTime, Week1Overtime,
                   Week2RegularTime, Week2Overtime;
            double Week1Total, Week2Total;

            Week1Monday = double.Parse(txtWeek1Monday.Text);
            Week1Tuesday = double.Parse(txtWeek1Tuesday.Text);
            Week1Wednesday = double.Parse(txtWeek1Wednesday.Text);
            Week1Thursday = double.Parse(txtWeek1Thursday.Text);
            Week1Friday = double.Parse(txtWeek1Friday.Text);
            Week1Saturday = double.Parse(txtWeek1Saturday.Text);
            Week1Sunday = double.Parse(txtWeek1Sunday.Text);

            Week2Monday = double.Parse(txtWeek2Monday.Text);
            Week2Tuesday = double.Parse(txtWeek2Tuesday.Text);
            Week2Wednesday = double.Parse(txtWeek2Wednesday.Text);
            Week2Thursday = double.Parse(txtWeek2Thursday.Text);
            Week2Friday = double.Parse(txtWeek2Friday.Text);
            Week2Saturday = double.Parse(txtWeek2Saturday.Text);
            Week2Sunday = double.Parse(txtWeek2Sunday.Text);

            Week1Total = Week1Monday + Week1Tuesday + Week1Wednesday +
                         Week1Thursday + Week1Friday +
                         Week1Saturday + Week1Sunday;

            if (Week1Total < 40)
            {
                Week1RegularTime = Week1Total;
                Week1Overtime = 0;
            }
            else
            {
                Week1RegularTime = 40;
                Week1Overtime = Week1Total - Week1RegularTime;
            }

            Week2Total = Week2Monday + Week2Tuesday + Week2Wednesday +
                         Week2Thursday + Week2Friday +
                         Week2Saturday + Week2Sunday;

            if (Week2Total < 40)
            {
                Week2RegularTime = Week2Total;
                Week2Overtime = 0;
            }
            else
            {
                Week2RegularTime = 40;
                Week2Overtime = Week2Total - Week2RegularTime;
            }

            txtWeek1Monday.Text = Week1Monday.ToString("F");
            txtWeek1Tuesday.Text = Week1Tuesday.ToString("F");
            txtWeek1Wednesday.Text = Week1Wednesday.ToString("F");
            txtWeek1Thursday.Text = Week1Thursday.ToString("F");
            txtWeek1Friday.Text = Week1Friday.ToString("F");
            txtWeek1Saturday.Text = Week1Saturday.ToString("F");
            txtWeek1Sunday.Text = Week1Sunday.ToString("F");

            txtWeek2Monday.Text = Week2Monday.ToString("F");
            txtWeek2Tuesday.Text = Week2Tuesday.ToString("F");
            txtWeek2Wednesday.Text = Week2Wednesday.ToString("F");
            txtWeek2Thursday.Text = Week2Thursday.ToString("F");
            txtWeek2Friday.Text = Week2Friday.ToString("F");
            txtWeek2Saturday.Text = Week2Saturday.ToString("F");
            txtWeek2Sunday.Text = Week2Sunday.ToString("F");

            txtWeek1RegularTime.Text = Week1RegularTime.ToString("F");
            txtWeek1Overtime.Text = Week1Overtime.ToString("F");
            txtWeek2RegularTime.Text = Week2RegularTime.ToString("F");
            txtWeek2Overtime.Text = Week2Overtime.ToString("F");

            lblMessage.Text = "";
        }
        else
            lblMessage.Text = "You must enter a valid employee number.";
}

Click the index.aspx tab to return to the form
Press Ctrl + F5 to execute the application
Click the top text box, type 92-746 and click the top button

Breaking the Flow of a Conditional Statement

The break statement is used to stop a loop for any reason or condition when necessary. The formula of the break statement is:

break;

Although made of only one word, the break statement is a complete statement; therefore, it can (and should always) stay on its own line (this makes the program easy to read).

The break statement applies to the most previous conditional statement to it; provided that previous statement is applicable. The break statement can be used in a while condition, in a do…while or a for loops to stop an ongoing action. Here is an example that is used to count the levels of a house from 1 to 12 but it is asked to stop at 3:

<%@ Page Language="C#" %>
<html>
<head>

<title>Exercise</title>
</head>
<body>

<%
    for(int stories = 1; stories <= 12; stories++)
    {
        Response.Write(stories.ToString() + "<br />");
        if( stories == 3 )
            break;
    }
%>

</body>
</html>

This would produce:

break

Continuing a Conditional Statement

The continue statement uses the following formula:

continue;

When processing a loop, if the statement finds a false value, you can use the continue statement inside of a while, a do…while or a for conditional statements to ignore the subsequent statement or to jump from a false Boolean value to the subsequent valid value, unlike the break statement that would exit the loop. Like the break statement, the continue keyword applies to the most previous conditional statement and should stay on its own line. Here is an example when a program is supposed to count the levels of a house from 1 to 6:

<%@ Page Language="C#" %>
<html>
<head>

<title>Exercise</title>
</head>
<body>

<%
    for (int stories = 1; stories <= 6; stories++)
    {
        if (stories == 3)
            continue;
        Response.Write(stories.ToString() + "<br />");
    }
%>

</body>
</html>

This would produce:

Continue

Going to a Designated Label

The goto statement allows a program execution to jump to another section of the function in which it is being used. In order to use the goto statement, insert a name on a particular section of your function so you can refer to that name. The name, also called a label, is made of one word and follows the rules we have learned about C++ names (the name can be anything), then followed by a colon. Here is an example where the program is supposed to count the levels of a 14 story building:

<%@ Page Language="C#" %>
<html>
<head>

<title>Exercise</title>
</head>
<body>

<%
    for(int stories = 1; stories <= 14; stories++)
    {
        if(stories == 4)
            goto CountUpTo3;
        Response.Write(stories.ToString() + "<br />");
    }

    CountUpTo3:
        Response.Write("Our homes have only up to 3 levels.");
%>

</body>
</html>

This would produce:

goto

Conditional Return

Some functions are meant to return a value that is conditional of their processing. The fact that a function indicates the type of value it would return may not be clear at the time the function is closed but a function defined other than void must always return a value. You can write a conditional statement, such as if, inside of a function and return a value from that condition.

To get out of a function, you can use the return keyword where you want it to stop.

Recursion

Introduction

Imagine that you want to count the positive odd numbers from a certain maximum to a certain minimum. For example, to count the odd numbers from 1 to 9, you would use:

9, 7, 5, 3, and 1

Notice that, to perform this operation, you consider the highest. Then you subtract 2 to get the previous. Again, you subtract 2 from the number to get the previous. What you are simply doing is to subtract a constant to what you already have and you invent very little. In computer programming, you can solve this type of problem by first writing a function, and then have the function call itself. This is the basis for recursion.

Creating a Recursive Functions

A type of formula to create a recursive method is:

ReturnValue Function(Arguments, if any)
{
    Optional Action . . .
    Function();
    Optionan Action . . .
}

A recursive function starts with a return value. If it would not return a value, you can define it with void. After its name, the method can take one or more arguments. Most of the time, a recursive function takes at least one argument that it would then modify. In the body of the function, you can take the necessary actions. There are no particular steps to follow when implementing a recursive method but there are two main rules to observe:

In its body, the method must call itself
Before or after calling itself, the method must check a condition that would allow it to stop, otherwise, it might run continuously

For our example of counting decrementing odd numbers, you could start by creating a function that takes an integer as argument. To exercise some control on the lowest possible values, we will consider only positive numbers. In the body of the method, we will display the current value of the argument, subtract 2, and recall the method itself.

Using Recursive Functions

Recursive functions provide a valuable mechanism for building lists or series, which are value that are either increment or decrement but follow a pattern. Imagine that, instead of simply displaying odd numbers as we did above, you want to add them incrementally. If you have 1, it would also produce 1. If you have 5, you would like to add 1 to 3, then the result to 5, and so on. This can be illustrated as follows:

                1 = 1

            1 + 3 = 4

        1 + 3 + 5 = 9

    1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16

1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 = 25

To perform this operation, you would consider 1. If the number is less than or equal to 1, the method should return 1. Otherwise, add 2 to 1, then add 2 to the new result. Continue this until you get to the value of the argument.