e
is the exponent and that while loop is doubling the value of the number until the exponent is less than or equal to 0.
It will remain the value of i
unless it is decremented.
You could also convert it into a for loop like so
for (int e = i; e > 0; e--) {
result *= 2;
}
I understand if this is a learning exercise, but the Math.pow
function could do the same thing.