Repeat () (block)

"Repeat" redirects here. For the block that repeats until a certain condition is true, see Repeat Until () (block).

Repeat ()
repeat (10)
Category	Control
Type	C

The Repeat () block is a Control block and a C block. Blocks held inside this block will loop a given amount of times, before allowing the script to continue.

If a decimal is put in, the number is rounded up. Furthermore, when a negative number or a non-number is input, the loop does not run, and if "Infinity" is input, then the block runs forever.

This block has a slight delay, so for optimum speed of execution, Single Frame block stacks should be used.

Example Uses

As this block loops pieces of code, it is widely used for saving space and time. Some common uses are:

• Repeating code — using the Repeat () block (and the Repeat Until () block) can save a lot of scripting.

repeat (10)
 change [variable v] by (1)
 next costume
 if <touching (Wall v)?> then
  erase all
  broadcast (Reload v)
 else
  stamp
 end

• Animation — rather than coding each costume change and delay individually, the Repeat () block (with the Next Costume block) can be used. This can reduce unnecessary scripting.

repeat (8)
 wait (0.05) secs
 next costume

• Continuous checks — a sprite can continuously move and sense, for example.

repeat (20)
 change y by (3)
 if <touching (edge v)?> then
  change [color v] effect by (75)

• Putting one repeat () block inside another is called "nesting". The total repetitions will be the two repeat () block inputs' product. In this case, the nested loops draw 10 times 10, or 100 dots.

set pen size to (2)
go to x:(-100) y:(100)
repeat (10)
    repeat (10)
        pen down
        pen up
        change x by (20)
    end
    set x to (-100)
    change y by (-20)
end

Repetitions

The loop will repeat the number of times provided in its input slot. If the input is not a whole number, it will be rounded to the nearest one. If the input is less than or equal to zero, or not a number, it will not run any scripts inside of it. If the input is infinity, it will run forever.

Delays

After each iteration of the loop, a 1/30 of a second, or one frame, delay is added before the next iteration continues. This allows for animations to be run more smoothly. However, if you don't want this delay, turn on turbo mode or put it inside of a custom block set to run without screen refresh.

Workaround

Main article: List of Block Workarounds

This block can be replicated with the following code:

set [counter v] to (0)
set [number of times v] to (. . .::grey) // this is the number of times to repeat
if <not<(number of times)<(0)>> then
 repeat until <(counter) = ([ceiling v] of (number of times)
  . . .
  change [counter v] by (1)
 end
end

See Also

• Forever
• Repeat Until ()