for (; ; ) { } ================================================== public class Example { public static void main(String[] args) { for (int i=1; i<=10; i++) { System.out.println(i); } } } Output: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ================================================== Components of the loop are all optional - so you can omit the initialization, condition clause or modification (or even all of them). However, semicolons are mandatory. public static void main(String[] args) { // variable initialized outside for-loop int i = 1; for (; i<=10; i++) { System.out.println(i); } // making the variable modification inside the loop for (int j = 5; j > 1;) { System.out.println(j); j--; } // eternal loop for(;;) { // this is printed until the user // closes the program: in practice the same as while(true) System.out.println("Hi!"); } } } ================================================== A change in the value of a variable in a for statement is usually done with the ++ and -- operators. These operators increase or decrease the value of a variable by one, for example: public class Example { public static void main(String[] args) { int a = 3; a++; System.out.println(a); a--; a--; System.out.println(a); // This first prints the value and then // after that increases it: System.out.println(a++); // one more print System.out.println(a); } } Output: 4 2 2 3