Mystery of escaping a while loop?

[nicolajna]

It won't because you're immediately setting it to true again

@flintloque1

if(intensity>=99){
        Serial.println("point 2.2");
        Serial.println(pulse_complete);
        pulse_complete = true;
      } else {
        Serial.println("point 2.3");
        Serial.println(pulse_complete);
        pulse_complete = false;
      }

At this point intensity is 99

@flintloque1

uint8_t intensity = 99;