create a custom loop in Javascript

Question

Making an attempt to teach coding to kids. I am trying to create a layer of abstraction over javascript just to simplify the syntax for the kids.

I think it will be a bit overwhelming for a kid to learn a typical while loop

Is there any way to convert

var i = 0 
while(i<10)
{ 
doThis(); 
doThat() 
i++
}

into something easier like this

repeat(10)
{
doThis();
doThat();
}

Thanks

• epascarello: Unless you code your own compiler, no
• j08691: "I think it will be a bit overwhelming for a kid to learn a typical while loop" You'd be surprised what kids can learn
• Get Set Kode: @j08691 This is motivating. I am breaking my head to make things simple
• Bren: With that syntax, @epascarello is correct, you'd need your own interpreter to transpile it into vanilla JavaScript. Alternatively, if syntax isn't an issue, you could just write a function called repeat where it's essentially just a wrapper for a loop.
• Taplar: I know that you're trying to make it easier for the kids to learn coding, but at the same time, how helpful will it be for them once they pickup your customized logic/structure to then eventually go "ok, forget all that. here is what it actually does".

Answer 1

I am not sure if it's possible to do exactly what you want, even hacking.

However, if you want to simplify it for your students, you go about with something like this?

/* you can hide this function by having it imported from external JS file */
var repeat = function(num, func){
 var i = 0;
 while(i < num){ 
 func();
 i++;
 }
};
var command = function(){
 doThis(); 
 doThat();
};
repeat(10, command);

if you're working with modern javascript

const repeat = (num, func) => {
 let i = 0;
 while(i < num){ 
 func();
 i++;
 }
};
const command = () => {
 doThis(); 
 doThat();
};
repeat(10, command);

• Get Set Kode: Thanks Jacky however there is no flexibility here which while loop has. The command function is set to do doThis and do That. What if we have to repeat only doThis?