beginner and need help with python

[perfringo]

Maybe this will help.

while-loop (while loop executes until condition becomes False)

n = 5                  # initial value

while 0 <= n:          # while value is greater or even 0
    print(n)           # print value
    n -= 1             # decrease value by one, go back to row #3 (loop)

Output:
5
4
3
2
1
0

for-loop (for loop executes until exhausted):

for i in range(5, -1, -1):      # range from 5 to -1 (excluded) incremented by -1 on every step
    print(i)

Output:
5
4
3
2
1
0

Python interactive interpreter has built-in help. At first it may seem too intimidating but if you really want to learn programming you should get acquainted with terminology and style of help. Just type >>> help('for'), >>> help('while'), >>> help(range) (press Q to exit the help)