How many times does the following loop run?

To determine how many times a loop runs, one must analyze the structure and logic of the loop's code. If the loop is set up in a way that it executes a specific number of iterations based on its conditions, the count will depend on those conditions being met.

For instance, if a typical loop structure is used, such as a for loop initialized with a counter variable, the number of iterations is defined by the initial value, the condition that must be true for the loop to continue, and the increment operation that occurs at the end of each iteration. If, for example, the loop starts with an index of 0 and runs while the index is less than 3, the loop would execute for index values of 0, 1, and 2—resulting in a total of 3 iterations.

The answer indicates that the loop runs 3 times, which aligns with the understanding of how loop iterations are calculated based on specified conditions. Thus, this reflects that the loop encompasses three sequential cycles before it meets its terminating condition and exits.

This insight into loop behavior is crucial for coding proficiency, as understanding iteration control structures is a foundational concept in programming.