What kind of loop runs indefinitely due to a missing termination condition?

An infinite loop is a type of loop that continues to execute indefinitely because it lacks a proper termination condition. This means that there is no point at which the loop will stop running, often due to a logical error in the code where the conditions for terminating the loop are never met or are completely absent.

In programming, an infinite loop can occur in any type of loop structure, including for loops and while loops, but the defining characteristic of an infinite loop is specifically its inability to halt execution normally. For instance, if a while loop is set without a proper condition—that is, if the condition continuously evaluates to true or is never changed as part of the loop's body—then it will result in an infinite loop.

Nested loops, on the other hand, refer to a situation where a loop is contained within another loop and do not inherently face the issue of running indefinitely unless improperly structured. Understanding the concept of an infinite loop is crucial for debugging and writing efficient code, as these loops can lead to unresponsive programs if not carefully managed.