Question

If a program uses a loop to display a menu repeatedly, how does the user end the program?

Short answer

Answer: To allow the user to end the program, the menu should include an option to exit. The program should then use a conditional statement to check the user's input against the designated exit value, causing the loop to end and ultimately allowing the program to finish. For example, in Python, a 'while' loop can be used along with the 'break' keyword to exit the loop based on the user's input.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Concept of Loops

In a program, a loop is a sequence of instructions that are repeatedly executed until a certain condition is met. The program needs an exit strategy, usually by using a conditional statement that checks if the user wants to exit the program.

Identify Types of Loops

There are various types of loops, including 'for' loops, 'while' loops and 'do-while' loops. Each can be used to display a menu repeatedly, and require a user input or condition to exit the loop and end the program.

Provide an Option for User Input

To allow the user to end the program, the menu should include an option for the user to choose to exit. This is typically done using an input prompt that allows the user to enter a specific value or key to signal their desire to end the program.

Use a Conditional Statement to Terminate the Loop

Inside the loop, a conditional statement should be added that checks the user's input against the designated exit value or key. If the user's input matches the exit value, the loop termination condition will be satisfied, causing the loop to end and ultimately allowing the program to finish.

Example

Here's an example using a 'while' loop in a Python program: ```python while True: # Display menu options print("1. Option 1") print("2. Option 2") print("3. Exit") # Ask the user for their choice user_choice = int(input("Enter your choice (1-3): ")) # Perform the required action for the chosen option if user_choice == 1: print("You chose Option 1.") elif user_choice == 2: print("You chose Option 2.") elif user_choice == 3: print("Exiting the program...") break else: print("Invalid choice, please try again.") ``` In this example, the menu is displayed continuously inside a 'while' loop. When the user enters 3, the program prints "Exiting the program..." and uses the 'break' keyword to exit the loop and end the program.