What is the iterator protocol and how does it work in different programming languages?

Can you explain what the iterator protocol is?

The iterator protocol is a design pattern that allows sequential access to elements in a collection without exposing the underlying structure.

How does the iterator protocol work in Python?

In Python, the iterator protocol consists of two methods: iter() and next(). The iter() method returns the iterator object itself, and next() returns the next value from the collection.

What about JavaScript? Is it similar?

Yes, in JavaScript, the iterator protocol is implemented using the Symbol.iterator method, which returns an iterator object with a next() method that returns the next value.

Can you give an example of how to implement it in Java?

In Java, you can implement the iterator protocol by creating a class that implements the Iterator interface, providing methods like hasNext() and next() to traverse the collection.