Performance: Iterators vs Collections

What are the performance differences between using iterators and collections in programming?

Iterators generally provide better performance for large datasets because they allow you to traverse elements without loading the entire collection into memory. Collections, on the other hand, can be faster for smaller datasets since they allow random access.

Can you give me an example of when to use an iterator?

Sure! If you're processing a large file line by line, using an iterator would be more efficient as it reads one line at a time without loading the whole file into memory.

Are there any downsides to using iterators?

Yes, one downside is that iterators can be less intuitive to use compared to collections, especially for beginners. They also don't support random access, which can be limiting in some scenarios.

What about collections? When should I prefer them?

Collections are preferable when you need to frequently access elements by index or when working with smaller datasets where memory usage isn't a concern.