How many times will the following loop execute? Write the output of the code:

int a = 5;
while (a > 0) {
    System.out.println(a-- + 2);
    if (a % 3 == 0)
        break;
}

Loop executes two times.
Output
7
6

Reason — Let's go through the Java program step by step to understand how it works:

Initial Value:

• a = 5

Iteration 1:

• System.out.println(a-- + 2);
  • a--: Post-decrement is used, so the current value of a (5) is used first, then decremented.
  • Output: 5 + 2 = 7
  • a becomes 4
• if (a % 3 == 0):
  • 4 % 3 = 1 → Condition is false, so the loop continues.

Iteration 2:

• System.out.println(a-- + 2);
  • a--: Current value of a (4) is used, then decremented.
  • Output: 4 + 2 = 6
  • a becomes 3.
• if (a % 3 == 0):
  • 3 % 3 = 0 → Condition is true, so the break statement exits the loop.

Therefore, the loop executes 2 times and the output is:

7
6