← Glossary
What does "iteration" mean in programming?
iteration 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
The process of repeating a set of operations for each item in a collection. Iteration uses loops (for, while) to process arrays, lists, and other data structures one element at a time.
Example
"Use iteration instead of recursion for processing large lists to avoid stack overflow."
Word forms
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| iterate | verb (infinitive) | To repeat a process for each element in a collection | "Iterate over the array to find the maximum value." |
| iterated | past tense | Already processed each element in sequence | "We iterated over all the records and updated each one." |
| iterating | gerund | In the process of going through a collection one element at a time | "Iterating over a million rows takes time." |
Related terms
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