Iteration: meaning, definitions and examples
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iteration
[ˌɪtəˈreɪʃən ]
Definitions
in programming
A single execution of a set of instructions in a loop.
Synonyms
looping, recurrence, repetition.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| iteration |
In creative and design contexts, iteration refers to refining and improving a product or idea through repeated cycles.
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| repetition |
Repetition refers to doing the same thing multiple times. It can describe repeated actions, words, or patterns and is often used in educational, literary, and everyday contexts.
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| looping |
Looping is typically used in programming to describe a sequence of instructions that repeats until a certain condition is met. Also used in the context of music and multimedia to describe repeated audio or visual sequences.
|
| recurrence |
Recurrence is used to describe something that happens repeatedly over time, often at regular intervals. Commonly used in medical, mathematical, and event-related contexts.
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Examples of usage
- The program uses iteration to process each element in the list.
- The loop will continue until the specified condition is met.
in mathematics
Repetition of a mathematical procedure applied to the result of a previous application, typically using the output of a function as the input for the next iteration.
Synonyms
recurrence, recursion, repetition.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| iteration |
Used to describe a process or set of instructions being repeated, often in the context of programming or algorithm development.
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| repetition |
Describes the act of doing or saying something over and over again, often to emphasize practice or consistency. It can be used in everyday conversation or educational contexts.
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| recurrence |
Describes something that happens repeatedly over time, often with an implication of an unwanted or problematic event happening again.
|
| recursion |
Primarily used in mathematics and computer science to describe a function that calls itself, often used for solving complex problems by breaking them down into simpler ones.
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Examples of usage
- The iterative method converges to the solution with each iteration.
- The function is evaluated at each iteration to refine the approximation.
general
The act or process of repeating a process, commonly used in various fields such as computing, mathematics, and problem-solving.
Synonyms
recurrence, reiteration, repetition.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| iteration |
Used when referring to the process of repeating a set of operations or tasks in computing, programming, and project development where each cycle is aimed at improving or refining the previous one.
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| repetition |
Used when referring to the act of repeating something multiple times across various fields like education, music, sport, or daily routines, where the focus is on the repeated action itself.
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| recurrence |
Used when describing the reappearance of events, conditions, or phenomena, often in contexts like health, events, or problems where the repetition is somewhat unwelcome.
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| reiteration |
Used when emphasizing the act of repeating something for clarity or emphasis, often in discussions, meetings, or speeches.
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Examples of usage
- Through iteration, the team refined their product design.
- Iterative approaches are often used to achieve incremental progress.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin 'iteratio', meaning 'repetition'.
- It was introduced in the English language during the late 14th century, reflecting the idea of repeating an action.
- The root word 'iterare' means 'to repeat', which is fitting for its use in various fields today.
Technology
- In computer programming, iteration often refers to repeating a set of instructions until a condition is met.
- Agile software development relies on iterative approaches, breaking projects into smaller sections for continuous improvement.
- Many algorithms use iteration to refine results, such as in search engines improving their index with each cycle.
Literature
- The process of revising and reworking draft ideas in writing is often described as an iterative process, allowing writers to clarify their thoughts.
- Famous authors like Hemingway and Faulkner were known for their iterative approach to writing, often rewriting passages to perfection.
- In storytelling, repeating motifs or phrases throughout a narrative can enhance themes and engage readers through iteration.
Science
- In scientific research, the iteration process can be critical for refining experiments, leading to more accurate results.
- Evolution itself can be seen as an iterative process where species adapt and change over generations.
- Modeling in physics and chemistry often requires iterations to improve accuracy in simulations and predictions.
Psychology
- In psychology, iterative learning is essential for mastering new skills, building confidence through practice.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy often involves iterative techniques where patients repeatedly apply new ways of thinking to challenges.
- The concept of 'growth mindset' encourages individuals to view failures as iterative steps towards improvement.
Translations
Translations of the word "iteration" in other languages:
🇵🇹 iteração
🇮🇳 पुनरावृत्ति
🇩🇪 Iteration
🇮🇩 iterasi
🇺🇦 ітерація
🇵🇱 iteracja
🇯🇵 反復 (はんぷく)
🇫🇷 itération
🇪🇸 iteración
🇹🇷 iterasyon
🇰🇷 반복 (반복)
🇸🇦 تكرار
🇨🇿 iterace
🇸🇰 iterácia
🇨🇳 迭代 (diédài)
🇸🇮 iteracija
🇮🇸 endurtekning
🇰🇿 итерация
🇬🇪 იტერაცია
🇦🇿 iterasiya
🇲🇽 iteración