"""Examples of iteration using the while statement""" def num_digits(n) : """counts the number of digits in a number""" count = 0 while n > 0 : count = count + 1 n = n // 10 return count def countdown(n) : while n > 0 : print n n = n-1 print "Blastoff!" # what does this function do? def countup(n) : while (n > 0) : print n n += 1 # same as n = n + 1 # Use ctrl-C to stop any program # let's look at this one: def ulam(n): while n != 1: print n, if n % 2 == 0: # n is even n = n // 2 else: # n is odd n = n * 3 + 1