using range() in for loops

[sushant.sirsikar at gmail.com]

hi John,
     Python doesn't provide for loop like C / C++ but using Range() or
Xrange() you can achive all the functionalities of the C for loop.If
you wants distributed for loop You can use Xrange.
John Salerno wrote:
> I'm reading Text Processing in Python right now and I came across a
> comment that is helping me to see for loops in a new light. I think
> because I'm used to the C-style for loop where you create a counter
> within the loop declaration, for loops have always seemed to me to be
> about doing something a certain number of times, and not about iterating
> over an object.
>
> The reason for this distinction comes from the fact that I read a lot
> how using range and for is somewhat discouraged, because it doesn't
> really use a for loop for it's true purpose. So my question is, is this
> just a Python-oriented opinion about for loops, or is it a general idea?
>
> Also, what if you *do* need to just do something a set number of times.
> Is this okay, or does it mean you are approaching the problem
> incorrectly? Using for and range together seems to be a common idiom,
> yet at the same time discouraged, so I'm wondering what is a good balance.
> 
> Thanks.