What are the performance implications of using iterator patterns?

What are the performance implications of using iterator patterns?

Iterator patterns can improve code readability and maintainability, but they may introduce overhead in terms of performance.

Can you explain how the overhead occurs?

Sure! The overhead typically comes from the additional object creation and method calls that iterators require compared to direct access.

Are there scenarios where using iterators is more beneficial despite the overhead?

Yes, in cases where you need to traverse complex data structures or when you want to decouple the iteration logic from the data structure.

What are some alternatives to iterator patterns?

Alternatives include using simple loops, recursion, or even functional programming techniques like map and filter.