Kotlin For loop with Index example

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Let’s learn about Kotlin for loop with index.

For loop with indices property

In this simple example, we will use indices property of collections to get the index.

    val items = listOf("A","B", "C")

    for(index in items.indices){
        println("indices: $index, item: ${items[index]}")
    }

• Here, indices property returns 0..2 (IntRange)
• using indices and string template interpolation, we can take data from items list and display like shown above.
• Better to use indices, if you only need the index.
• You can use the indices property with arrays and strings to access their indices. However, it doesn’t work with maps or sets since they are not indexed.

• Kotlin ForEach Tutorial

For loop with string value

In this section, we can use indices property with string value.

 val strValue = "String"
        for(i in strValue.indices){
            println("index: $i, char: ${strValue[i]}")
        }

• Each character’s index will be iterated, and using the index, we can access and display the corresponding character.

ArrayList with index example

Kotlin arraylist helps to store data in dynamic array.

    val arrayListItems = arrayListOf("Item 1", "Item 2", "Item 3")
        for(index in arrayListItems.indices){
            println("ArrayList with index: ${arrayListItems[index]}")
            }

• just like above examples, indices property returns 0..to size of the arraylist – 1.

Using withIndex() method

If you need both the index and the item while iterating, use withIndex().

 val char = arrayOf("a", "b", "c")
    for ((index, ch) in char.withIndex()) {
        println("Index: $index, character: $ch")
    }

• In this section, arrayOf() creates an array with 3 characters.
• withIndex() returns IndexedValue which gives index and value.

Complete Source Code

package com.androidride.kotlin

fun main() {

    val items = listOf("A", "B", "C")
    for (index in items.indices) {
        println("indices: $index, item: ${items[index]}")
    }

    val strValue = "String"
    for (i in strValue.indices) {
        println("index: $i, char: ${strValue[i]}")
    }

    val arrayListItems = arrayListOf("Item 1", "Item 2", "Item 3")
    for (index in arrayListItems.indices) {
        println("ArrayList with index: ${arrayListItems[index]}")
    }

    for ((index, item) in items.withIndex()) {
        println("withIndex: index: $index, item: $item")
    }

}

• Android WebView Tutorial
• Kotlin control flow docs

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