What are loops used for in programming?

Loops are fundamental constructs in programming that allow code to be executed repeatedly under certain conditions. The primary purpose of loops is to automate repetitive tasks by executing a block of code multiple times without the need to manually write or copy that block for each execution. For example, when you want to process every item in a list or perform a calculation numerous times, a loop efficiently handles this by running the specified code until a defined condition is met.

While executing code once is important, it doesn't capture the essence of what loops do, which is to facilitate repetition. Creating functions and running code conditionally are integral parts of programming, but they serve different purposes unrelated to the core function of loops. Functions are used to encapsulate and reuse code, and conditional statements dictate when certain code should execute based on whether specific conditions are true or false. In contrast, loops focus solely on repeating actions, making them crucial for tasks that require multiple iterations.