What are the differences between iterator patterns and collection patterns?

What are the differences between iterator patterns and collection patterns?

Iterator patterns focus on providing a way to access elements of a collection sequentially without exposing its underlying representation, while collection patterns deal with the structure and organization of the data itself.

Can you give me an example of each pattern?

Sure! An iterator pattern example is a 'ListIterator' that allows you to traverse a list. A collection pattern example is a 'HashSet' that organizes data in a way that allows for fast lookups.

When should I use an iterator pattern?

Use an iterator pattern when you want to traverse a collection without exposing its internal structure, especially when dealing with complex data structures.

Are there any performance considerations?

Yes, iterators can introduce overhead, but they often provide better abstraction. Collections may have performance trade-offs based on their structure, like time complexity for access and modification.