PL/SQL For Loop

PL/SQL FOR loop is used when we need to execute set of statements for the specific number of times and loop operates between the start and end counter values. The counter is always incremented by one and once the counter reaches to end integer value, the loop terminates

The syntax of PL/SQL FOR Loop is like this

FOR counter_variable IN start value.. end value LOOP

statements to execute 

END LOOP;

PL/SQL While Loop

PL/SQL WHILE loop is used to execute statements as long as given condition is true and the condition is checked at the beginning of each iteration

The syntax of PL/SQL While loop is like this

WHILE condition

statements to execute

END LOOP;

PL/SQL Basic Exit Loop

In PL/SQL Basic Loop all statements inside the block are executed at least once before loop termination, Basic loop encloses statement between LOOP and END LOOP and there must be an EXIT or EXIT-WHEN condition to terminate the loop

The syntax of Basic Exit loop is like this

LOOP

statements to execute

EXIT; or EXIT-WHEN

END LOOP;

See these examples for better understanding

PL/SQL Loops , Iterative Statement in PL/SQL

Loops are used to repeat execution of a statement or a set of statements multiple times on base of a condition or expression
EXIT and EXIT-WHEN keywords are used to terminate the loop

EXIT- terminates the loop unconditionally and passes control to the next statement after the loop
EXIT-WHEN- terminates the loop when EXIT-WHEN clause is checked and if returns true then the loop is terminated and control is passed to next statement after the loop

The basic syntax of Loop in PL/SQL is like this

LOOP

Set of statements

END LOOP;