For-each loop in java

Let’s learn what is the for-each loop in java?

For-each loop in java

For-each in java traverse each element of an array sequentially without using index or counter. for-each loop or enhanced for loop was introduced in JDK 1.5 Here’s the syntax and example on for each loop.

Syntax:

for(<DataType of array><variablename> : <Array to be iterated>)
{
   // code
}

Example of for each loop in java

import java.util.*;
public class ForEachLoopExample
{
   public static void main(String[] args)
   {
      int[] numbers = {2, 4, 6, 8, 10};
      // for each loop
      for(int n : numbers)
      {
         System.out.println(n);
      }
   }
}

Output:

2
4
6
8
10

NOTE:

Iterating through characters in a string using for-each loop is forward only and in single step.
For-each loop is not suitable when you want to modify an array.
In for-each loop we cannot process two decision making statements at one time like if else statement.
For-each loop can’t keep track of index.
For-each loop is basically used to traverse elements in Arrays and Collections.

Disadvantage of for each in java

Can’t use for each loop to remove elements while traversing collections.
Can’t use for each loop to modify given index in an array.
Can’t use for each loop to iterate over different arrays.

Traversing or iterating array using for each in java

Let’s iterate array using for each in java.

public class ForEachArrayExample
{
   public static void main(String[] args)
   {
      String[] strColors = {"red", "blue", "green", "orange", "violet"};
      // using for loop
      System.out.println("Using conventional for loop: ");
      for(int a = 0; a < strColors.length; a++)
      {
         System.out.println(strColors[a]);
      }
      System.out.println("\nUsing foreach loop: ");
      // using for-each loop
      for(String str : strColors)
      {
         System.out.println(str);
      }
   }
}

Output:

Using conventional for loop:
red
blue
green
orange
violet

Using foreach loop:
red
blue
green
orange
violet