What is defined as a 'loop' in programming?

A loop in programming refers to a construct that allows a set of statements to be executed repeatedly based on certain conditions. This can include repeatedly executing a block of code until a specified condition is met or for a specific number of iterations. The power of loops lies in their ability to automate repetitive tasks without the need to write the same code multiple times, thus improving efficiency and readability.

For instance, common types of loops such as "for loops," "while loops," and "do-while loops" serve the purpose of iterating over sequences, collections, or predefined ranges based on the evaluation of conditions. This makes loops integral to many programming tasks, including traversing data structures, performing operations multiple times, or waiting for a specific event to occur.

This understanding helps recognize the different purposes other constructs may serve, such as defining scopes or handling conditional execution, which are not inherently focused on the iterative execution of code that characterizes loops.