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What does "iterate" mean in programming?
iterate is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
To go through each element in a collection (array, list, map, etc.) one at a time, typically using a for loop or a method like forEach.
Example
"users.forEach(user => sendEmail(user)); // iterates over the users array"
Word forms
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| iterate | verb (infinitive) | To go through each element of a collection one by one | "Iterate over the list to find matching items." |
| iterated | past tense | Went through each element one by one | "The function iterated over all rows in the table." |
| iterating | gerund | Going through each element one by one | "Iterating over large arrays can be slow; consider using indexes." |
Related terms
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