What exactly are iterator, iterable, and iteration?

Question

What is the most basic definition of \"iterable\", \"iterator\" and \"iteration\" in Python?

I have read multiple definitions but I am unable to identify the exact m

Answer 1

I don't think that you can get it much simpler than the documentation, however I'll try:

• Iterable is something that can be iterated over. In practice it usually means a sequence e.g. something that has a beginning and an end and some way to go through all the items in it.

• You can think Iterator as a helper pseudo-method (or pseudo-attribute) that gives (or holds) the next (or first) item in the iterable. (In practice it is just an object that defines the method next())

• Iteration is probably best explained by the Merriam-Webster definition of the word :

b : the repetition of a sequence of computer instructions a specified number of times or until a condition is met — compare recursion