A loop allows your Discord bot to repeat a block of text or actions multiple times. Instead of copy-pasting the same lines over and over, you can use a loop to do it automatically.

In BDFD, the functions $for and $loop are identical twins. They work exactly the same way, support the same rules, and can be used completely interchangeably! You can also close either loop with either $endfor or $endloop.

Loops are perfect for:

• Printing repeating lists (like leaderboard slots or store items).
• Generating multiple buttons or select options.
• Counting up or down in a message.

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💡 Quick Overview of Loop Types

BDFD supports two types of loops:

Loop Type	What it does	Best For
Simple Loop	Repeats a set number of times	Repeating a message or list item a specific number of times.
Advanced Loop	Counts using custom starting points, steps, and rules	Counting down, skipping numbers (like counting even numbers), or tracking custom counters.

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1. Simple Loops

A Simple Loop runs your code a set number of times.

How to Write It

You can write a simple loop using either $for or $loop:

$for[number]
  ... your text or command here ...
$endfor

OR

$loop[number]
  ... your text or command here ...
$endloop

• number: How many times you want the loop to repeat (e.g., 5, or a variable like $getUserVar[hunts]).

Useful Shortcut Variables

Inside the loop, you can use these shortcuts to show the current iteration number:

• $i (or $loopIndex / $loopIteration): Returns the current step, starting at 0 (i.e. 0, 1, 2, 3…).
• $loopCount: Returns the current step, starting at 1 (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4…).

Practical Examples

Example A: Repeating Text (Using $loop)

$loop[3]
  Hello! This is message number $loopCount
$endloop

What your bot will send:

Hello! This is message number 1
Hello! This is message number 2
Hello! This is message number 3

Example B: Creating a Bulleted List (Using $for)

🏆 **Top Server Goals:**
$for[5]
  • Goal #$loopCount: [Pending Slot]
$endfor

What your bot will send:

🏆 Top Server Goals:
  • Goal #1: [Pending Slot]
  • Goal #2: [Pending Slot]
  • Goal #3: [Pending Slot]
  • Goal #4: [Pending Slot]
  • Goal #5: [Pending Slot]

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2. Advanced Loops (C-Style)

Advanced loops give you full control. You can decide where the loop starts, when it should stop, and how it counts.

How to Write It

Just like simple loops, you can use either $for or $loop with the three counting settings separated by semicolons:

$for[start; condition; update]
  ... your text or command here ...
$endfor

OR

$loop[start; condition; update]
  ... your text or command here ...
$endloop

The Three Settings:

1. start: Create your counter variable and set its starting value.
   • Example: i=1 (creates a counter named i starting at 1).
   • Example (Multi-counter): i=1,j=10 (creates two counters).
2. condition: Tells the loop when to keep going. The loop stops as soon as this is no longer true.
   • Operators you can use:
     • < (Less than)
     • <= (Less than or equal to)
     • > (Greater than)
     • >= (Greater than or equal to)
     • == (Equal to)
     • != (Not equal to)
   • Example: i<=5 (keep going as long as the counter i is 5 or less).
3. update: Tells the loop how to count at the end of each step.
   • Stepping values you can use:
     • i++ (add 1 to i)
     • i-- (subtract 1 from i)
     • i+=2 (add 2 to i - useful for skipping numbers)
     • i-=3 (subtract 3 from i)
     • i*=2 (multiply i by 2)

Accessing your Counter Value

To show the current value of your counter inside the loop, just write its name as a function:

• If you set i=1, use $i to display its value.
• If you set count=10, use $count to display its value.

Practical Examples

Example A: Counting Even Numbers (Using $loop)

Counting by twos:
$loop[i=2; i<=10; i+=2]
  - $i
$endloop

What your bot will send:

Counting by twos:
  - 2
  - 4
  - 6
  - 8
  - 10

Example B: T-Minus Countdown (Using $for)

$for[seconds=5; seconds>0; seconds--]
  🚀 Launching in $seconds...
$endfor
🔥 BLASTOFF! 🎆

What your bot will send:

🚀 Launching in 5...
🚀 Launching in 4...
🚀 Launching in 3...
🚀 Launching in 2...
🚀 Launching in 1...
🔥 BLASTOFF! 🎆

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⚠️ Important Rules & Safety Tips

[!WARNING] The 100-Loop Limit To prevent your bot from freezing, lagging, or crashing, BDFD restricts loops (both $for and $loop) to a maximum of 100 repetitions. If your loop is set to run more than 100 times, it will automatically stop at 100.

[!TIP] Stopping Loops Early

• $stop: If your bot encounters a $stop inside the loop, it will immediately halt the command and send whatever text it has generated so far.
• $cooldown[...]: If a user is on cooldown, BDFD will stop the loop immediately and send your custom cooldown message.