Stage 0: Loops

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md

@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ labels: enhancement
 assignees: ''
 ---
 
-**Is your feature request related to a problem? If so, please describe.**
+**Is your feature request related to a problem?
+If so, please describe.**
 A clear and concise description of what the problem is.
 Describe how the current behavior limits you or causes frustration.
 

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/website_issue.md

@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@ assignees: ''
 A clear and concise description of the problem.
 
 **Where?**
-Which page, component, or area of the site is affected? Include a URL if applicable.
+Which page, component, or area of the site is affected?
+Include a URL if applicable.
 
 **To Reproduce**
 Describe the steps needed to reproduce the issue.

.github/pull_request_template.md

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 ## Description
 
-What changed? Why? (the code + comments should speak for itself on the "how")
+What changed?
+Why? (the code + comments should speak for itself on the "how")
 
 We highly recommend including screenshots or a video of what was changed, to collect evidence in a place where we can later reference it.
 

examples/stage0/snippets/loops.java

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2026 FRCSoftware
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+ */
+
+boolean condition = true;
+
+void main() {
+    // [whileSyntax]
+    while (condition) {
+    // code to run when condition is true
+    }
+    // [/whileSyntax]
+
+    // [whileExample]
+    int i = 0; 
+    while (i < 6) {
+        System.out.println(i); // prints 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
+        i++;
+    }
+    // [/whileExample]
+
+    // [whileExample2]
+    int autoTime = 0;
+    while (autoTime <= 15){
+        System.out.println("AutoMode is happening");
+        autoTime++;
+    }
+    // [/whileExample2]
+
+
+    // [forExample]
+    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++){
+        System.out.println(i); // prints 0, 1, 2, 3, 4
+    }
+    // [/forExample]
+
+    // [Infinite1]
+    int timer = 0;
+    while (timer < 7){
+        drivetrain.setThrottle(1); // sets drive motors to full speed 
+    }
+    // [/Infinite1]
+
+    // [Infinite2]
+    int timer = 0;
+    while (timer < 7){
+        drivetrain.setThrottle(1); // sets drive motors to full speed 
+        timer++; // increments timer by 1
+    }
+    // [/Infinite2]
+}

src/config/sidebarConfig.ts

@@ -80,10 +80,10 @@ export const sidebarSections: Record<string, SidebarSection[]> = {
                             label: 'Conditionals',
                             slug: 'learning-course/stage0/conditionals',
                         },
-                        // {
-                        //     label: 'Loops',
-                        //     slug: 'learning-course/stage0/loops',
-                        // },
+                        {
+                            label: 'Loops',
+                            slug: 'learning-course/stage0/loops',
+                        },
                         // {
                         //     label: 'Objects',
                         //     slug: 'learning-course/stage0/objects',
@@ -301,7 +301,11 @@ export const sidebarSections: Record<string, SidebarSection[]> = {
                     slug: 'learning-course/stage0/java-fundamentals',
                 },
                 {
-                    label: 'operators',
+                    label: 'Operators',
+                    slug: 'learning-course/stage0/operators',
+                },
+                {
+                    label: 'Loops',
                     slug: 'learning-course/stage0/operators',
                 },
             ],

src/content/docs/learning-course/stage0/loops.mdx

@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+---
+title: Loops
+description: An Intro loops in Java
+prev: false
+next: false
+codeRegionSources:
+    default: stage0/snippets/loops.java
+---
+
+Oftentimes we want to do the same action multiple times in a row.
+For instance, if you know your grades are about to be released, you might repeatedly check them until they come out.
+In Java we can use loops to do this.
+
+We will be going over two types of loops which are:
+
+- while
+- for
+
+<Aside type="note">
+    There is another type of loop called do while and because it's not commonly
+    used in FRC we will not be covering it. However, if you want to learn more
+    about do while loops, you can learn more on w3school's page on [do while
+    loops](https://www.w3schools.com/java/java_while_loop_do.asp)
+</Aside>
+
+Conditionals, and loops may seem similar but they have different purposes.
+Conditionals are used to make decisions based on whether the condition is true or false.
+Loops are used to repeat code until the condition is met.
+This can be thought of conditionals make decisions, and loops are for repeating.
+
+## while
+
+`while` loops are the most simple type of loops.
+If you have used block coding before, this is similar to the repeat block.
+If you have taken an CS class, you might already be familiar with a `while` loop.
+
+The syntax of a `while` loops is as shown:
+
+```java #whileSyntax
+
+```
+
+You might notice that a `while` loop has a similar syntax to conditionals, which was discussed in the previous section.
+A `while` loop's syntax includes:
+
+- `while` is a keyword
+- `( )` holds the condition that is either true or false.
+  Example: (5 > 1) is a condition and it is true because 5 is greater than 1
+- `{` an open bracket is used to denote the opening of the loop
+- `}` a closed bracket is used to denote the end of the loop
+
+Another way of understanding how a `while` loop works is with the flow chart below
+
+<ContentFigure src="/loops/WhileLoop.webp" width="400px" height="800px" />
+
+Similar to conditionals, a `while` loop will run the code block inside the `while` loop when the condition is true.
+After the code block is run, it goes back to the condition.
+If the condition is true, the code block will run again.
+This will repeat until the condition is false.
+When it's false, the loop will be skipped.
+To understand how this works, let's look at an example.
+
+```java #whileExample
+
+```
+
+In the example, there is an `int` called `i` which holds the value 0. The `while` loop has the condition `i < 6`.
+First, the compiler checks if the condition is true.
+We know that 0 is less than 6 so the `while` code block runs and the value of `i`, which is currently 0, is printed to the terminal.
+The value of `i` is also updated because of `i++` and it changes to 1.
+Now the condition checks if 1 is less than 6. We know that it is true, so the value of `i` gets printed and the value of `i` is increased by 1.
+This repeats and eventually `i`'s value becomes 6.
+6 is not less than 6, therefore the loop is done and the `while` code block does not run.
+
+<Aside type="tip">
+    Does the ``i++`` look familiar? This was covered in the operator section. If
+    you need a refresher on what an operator is and how it works, check out the
+    operator page.
+</Aside>
+
+Lets look at an another example!
+In the example below we have:
+
+```java #whileExample2
+
+```
+
+Without running the code, what do you think happens?
+
+`autoTime` is set to 0. The `while` loop's condition is `autoTime <= 15`.
+0 is less than 15 so the code enters the `while` code block, and prints outs `Auto is happening`.
+`autoTimer++` is run which increases `autoTimer`'s value by one.
+The code goes back to the condition, 1 is less than 15, so the code enters the `while` code block again, printing out `Auto is happening`.
+Like before, `autoTimer++` runs which increases `autoTimer` by one again making the value be 2. This repeats until `autoTime` is 15. When that happens the condition is false and the `while` loop is skipped.
+
+## for
+
+Sometimes, we might want code that loops an exact number of times.
+This can be done with a `for` loop.
+The syntax of a `for` is as follows:
+
+{/* rli:ignore */}
+
+```java
+for (statement1; statement2; statement3) {
+  // code to run when statement 2 is true
+}
+```
+
+In the syntax:
+
+- `for` is a keyword
+- `()` holds the three statements
+- `{` an open bracket is used to denote the opening of the loop
+- `}` a closed bracket is used to denote the end of the loop
+
+The three statements are
+
+- initialization: creates a variable that sets the starting point of the loop.
+- condition: a condition, which uses the variable, that is checked before each iteration.
+  If the condition is true, the code inside the loop runs
+- update: updates the variable created in initialization after each iteration
+
+The best way to explain how `for` loops work is with an example.
+
+```java #forExample
+
+```
+
+In this example, we create a variable `i` that is set to 0. When `i` is less than 5, the `for` code block runs, printing the value of `i` which is 0.
+Then it goes back to the update statement which is `i++`, `i` has increased by 1 and `i`'s value is now 1.
+We check the condition, 1 is less than 5, so `for` code block runs, the new value of `i` is printed, `i` is updated and this repeats until `i` is no longer less than 5.
+When `i` is no longer less than 5, the `for` loop is skipped.
+
+Another way of understanding how a for loop works is with the flow chart below
+
+<ContentFigure src="/loops/Forloop.webp" width="400px" height="800px" />
+
+## Be Careful about Infinite Loops
+
+It is important to make sure that the condition can become false.
+If the condition is always true, the loop will always run causing an infinite loop.
+Infinite loops can be prevented by ensuring that the value inside the condition changes by incrementing or decrementing.
+
+```java #Infinite1
+
+```
+
+In this example, we want our drive train to run for 7 seconds.
+We have our variable called `timer` which is set to 0.
+0 is less than 7 so the code inside runs and the robot drives forward at full speed.
+However, `timer`'s value never changes.
+This means `timer` will always be 0. 0 is less than 7 so the loop will continuously run and the robot never stops driving!
+
+To fix this, we would make sure to increment the timer value as shown below.
+
+```java #Infinite2
+
+```
+
+`timer` now increments by 1 each time the loop is run, and the robot will stop driving after 7 seconds.
+
+## Loops Exercise
+
+<Aside type="exercise">
+
+WIP
+
+</Aside>