The while statement conditionally executes an embedded statement zero or more times.

while-statement

while ( boolean-expression ) embedded-statement

A while statement is executed as follows:

• The boolean-expression (14.16) is evaluated.
• If the boolean expression yields true, control is transferred to the embedded statement. When and if control reaches the end point of the embedded statement (possibly from execution of a continue statement), control is transferred to the beginning of the while statement.
• If the boolean expression yields false, control is transferred to the end point of the while statement.

Within the embedded statement of a while statement, a break statement (15.9.1) may be used to transfer control to the end point of the while statement (thus ending iteration of the embedded statement), and a continue statement (15.9.2) may be used to transfer control to the end point of the embedded statement (thus performing another iteration of the while statement).

The embedded statement of a while statement is reachable if the while statement is reachable and the boolean expression does not have the constant value false.

The end point of a while statement is reachable if at least one of the following is true:

• The while statement contains a reachable break statement that exits the while statement.
• The while statement is reachable and the boolean expression does not have the constant value true.