'for' loop may be replaced by 'while' loop

Reports for loops that contain neither initialization nor update components, and suggests converting them to while loops. This makes the code easier to read.

Example:

  for(; exitCondition(); ) {
    process();
  }

After the quick-fix is applied:

  while(exitCondition()) {
    process();
  }

The quick-fix is also available for other for loops, so you can replace any for loop with a while loop.

Locating this inspection

By ID

Can be used to locate inspection in e.g. Qodana configuration files, where you can quickly enable or disable it, or adjust its settings.

ForLoopReplaceableByWhile

Via Settings dialog

Path to the inspection settings via IntelliJ Platform IDE Settings dialog, when you need to adjust inspection settings directly from your IDE.

Settings or Preferences | Editor | Inspections | Java | Control flow issues

Use the Ignore 'infinite' for loops without conditions option if you want to ignore for loops with trivial or non-existent conditions.

Inspection options

Here you can find the description of settings available for the 'for' loop may be replaced by 'while' loop inspection, and the reference of their default values.

Ignore 'infinite' for loops without conditions: Default: Selected

Availability

By default bundled with: IntelliJ IDEA 2024.1, Qodana for JVM 2024.1,
Can be installed with plugin: Java, 241.18072

Last modified: 18 June 2024