What is the difference between iterators and enumerators?

What is the difference between iterators and enumerators?

Iterators and enumerators are both used to traverse collections, but they have key differences. An iterator can modify the collection while traversing, whereas an enumerator is read-only.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! In C#, an iterator can be implemented using the yield keyword, allowing you to return elements one at a time. An enumerator, on the other hand, is typically used with the IEnumerator interface, which provides methods to iterate through a collection without modifying it.

Are there performance differences between them?

Yes, iterators can be more efficient in terms of memory usage since they generate elements on-the-fly. Enumerators may require the entire collection to be loaded into memory.

When should I use one over the other?

Use iterators when you need to traverse and potentially modify a collection. Use enumerators when you only need to read data without altering the collection.