What are the differences between array methods and iterators in JavaScript?

What are the differences between array methods and iterators in JavaScript?

Array methods are built-in functions like map, filter, and reduce that operate on arrays, while iterators are objects that allow you to traverse through a collection, like arrays, using the next() method.

Can you give me examples of both array methods and iterators?

Sure! An example of an array method is array.map(), which creates a new array by applying a function to each element. An iterator example is the Array.prototype.values() method, which returns an iterator object that contains the values for each index in the array.

When should I use array methods instead of iterators?

Use array methods when you want to perform transformations or computations on the entire array easily. Use iterators when you need more control over the iteration process or when working with large datasets to avoid memory issues.

Are there performance differences between them?

Yes, array methods can be less performant for large datasets due to the creation of intermediate arrays. Iterators can be more memory efficient as they process elements one at a time.