Iterator
in computing, an object whose methods enables a program to orderly traverse elements having some logical conditions in a given container from a given first element
In computer programming, an iterator is an object that progressively provides access to each item of a collection, in order.
A collection may provide multiple iterators via its interface that provide items in different orders, such as forwards and backwards.
An iterator is often implemented in terms of the structure underlying a collection implementation and is often tightly coupled to the collection to enable the operational semantics of the iterator.
An iterator is behaviorally similar to a database cursor.
Iterators date to the CLU programming language in 1974.
Pattern
An iterator provides access to an element of a collection (element access) and can change its internal state to provide access to the next element (element traversal). It also provides for creation and initialization to a first element and indicates whether all elements have been traversed. In some programming contexts, an iterator provides additional functionality.
An iterator allows a consumer to process each element of a collection while isolating the consumer from the internal structure of the collection. The collection can store elements in any manner while the consumer can access them as a sequence.
Begin with the source’s own compact description: “Iterator” is in computing, an object whose methods enables a program to orderly traverse elements having some logical conditions in a given container from a given first element. The dossier treats that line as a proposition to test through Iterator, computing and object, not as a finished interpretation.
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The phrase “in computing, an object whose methods enables a program to orderly traverse elements having some logical conditions in a given container from a given first element” supplies a clear boundary for inquiry. It also exposes the unanswered questions: who defined that boundary, when it became stable and which sources sit outside it.
Stable identifiers, scientific names and standards terminology offer the best bridge between this overview and specialist evidence. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 13, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q1326388. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference. The first chronological checks are 1974.
A general summary may omit uncertainty, sample limits or methodological disagreement that is explicit in the technical record. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
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This entry incorporates text from “Iterator” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.