# V3218\. Loop condition may be incorrect due to an off\-by\-one error\.

The analyzer has detected that an incorrect maximum or minimum value of the collection index is used in the loop\. The index is greater or lesser than the intended value by one\. This is usually due to an error in the loop condition\.

Take a look at an example with the `for` loop:

```cpp
void PrintArray(int[] numbers)
{
  for (int i = 0; i <= numbers.Length; i++) 
  {
    Console.WriteLine(numbers[i]);
  }
}
```

The `i <= numbers.Length` loop condition includes the index range from `0` to `numbers.Length`\. The first index is `0`, and the index of the last element is `numbers.Length - 1`\. As a result, `numbers.Length` exceeds the last valid index by one, leading to an off\-by\-one error\.

The fixed code looks like this:

```cpp
void PrintArray(int[] numbers)
{
  for (int i = 0; i < numbers.Length; i++) 
  {
    Console.WriteLine(numbers[i]);
  }
}
```

Let's look at an example of iterating over the array in reverse order:

```cpp
void PrintArray(int[] numbers)
{
  for (int i = numbers.Length - 1; i > 0; i--) 
  {
    Console.WriteLine(numbers[i]);
  }
}
```

Since the `i > 0` condition restricts the index to `1`, the first array element is not printed to the console\.

In this case, the fixed code looks like this:

```cpp
void PrintArray(int[] numbers)
{
  for (int i = numbers.Length - 1; i >= 0; i--) 
  {
    Console.WriteLine(numbers[i]);
  }
}
```

Now the loop condition is correct, and all array elements will be printed to the console\. 

The diagnostic rule also covers the `while` and `do while` loops\.

Take a look at an example with the `while` loop:

```cpp
void PrintArray(List<int> numbersList)
{
  int i = 0;
  while (i <= numbersList.Count)
  {
    Console.WriteLine(numbersList[i]);
    i++;
  }
}
```

The loop condition includes an index value equal to the collection size, which results in a collection overrun\.

The fixed code:

```cpp
void PrintArray(List<int> numbersList)
{
  int i = 0;
  while (i < numbersList.Count)
  {
    Console.WriteLine(numbersList[i]);
    i++;
  }
}
```

After the fix, the collection will be fully iterated, and no exception will occur\.