What distinguishes a repeat loop from a while loop?

The key distinction between a repeat loop and a while loop lies in how the condition for continuation is evaluated. In a while loop, the condition is checked before the loop begins, which means if the condition is false at the outset, the loop body might not execute even once. This approach allows for dynamic evaluation of the condition as the program runs, which is particularly useful when the number of iterations isn't predetermined.

In contrast, a repeat loop typically checks the condition after executing the loop body at least once. This guarantees that the statements within the repeat loop will run at least once regardless of the condition's initial state. Essentially, repeat loops provide a guarantee of executing at least one iteration, while while loops require the condition to be true before any execution occurs.

This explanation underlines why recognizing the timing of condition evaluation is critical in understanding the difference between these types of loops.