What is the difference between an iterator and a collection?

What is the difference between an iterator and a collection?

A collection is a data structure that holds multiple items, while an iterator is an object that allows you to traverse through the collection.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! An example of a collection is an array or a list, and an iterator could be a for-loop or an object that implements the Iterator interface.

When would I use an iterator instead of directly accessing the collection?

You'd use an iterator when you want to traverse a collection without exposing its underlying structure, or when you need to iterate through elements in a specific order.

Are there any performance differences between using an iterator and accessing elements directly?

Yes, using an iterator can sometimes be less efficient than direct access, especially in collections that allow random access, like arrays.