---
layout: pattern
title: Iterator
folder: iterator
permalink: /patterns/iterator/
categories: Behavioral
tags:
 - Gang of Four
---

## Also known as
Cursor

## Intent
Provide a way to access the elements of an aggregate object
sequentially without exposing its underlying representation.

## Explanation

Real world example

> Treasure chest contains a set of magical items. There multiple types of items such as rings, potions and weapons. The items can be browsed by type using an iterator the treasure chest provides. 

In plain words

> Containers can provide a representation agnostic iterator interface to provide access to the elements. 

Wikipedia says

> In object-oriented programming, the iterator pattern is a design pattern in which an iterator is used to traverse a container and access the container's elements.

**Programmatic Example**

The main class in our example is the treasure chest that contains items.

```java
public class TreasureChest {

  private List<Item> items;

  public TreasureChest() {
    items = List.of(
        new Item(ItemType.POTION, "Potion of courage"),
        new Item(ItemType.RING, "Ring of shadows"),
        new Item(ItemType.POTION, "Potion of wisdom"),
        new Item(ItemType.POTION, "Potion of blood"),
        new Item(ItemType.WEAPON, "Sword of silver +1"),
        new Item(ItemType.POTION, "Potion of rust"),
        new Item(ItemType.POTION, "Potion of healing"),
        new Item(ItemType.RING, "Ring of armor"),
        new Item(ItemType.WEAPON, "Steel halberd"),
        new Item(ItemType.WEAPON, "Dagger of poison"));
  }

  public Iterator<Item> iterator(ItemType itemType) {
    return new TreasureChestItemIterator(this, itemType);
  }

  public List<Item> getItems() {
    return new ArrayList<>(items);
  }
}

public class Item {

  private ItemType type;
  private String name;

  public Item(ItemType type, String name) {
    this.setType(type);
    this.name = name;
  }

  @Override
  public String toString() {
    return name;
  }

  public ItemType getType() {
    return type;
  }

  public final void setType(ItemType type) {
    this.type = type;
  }
}

public enum ItemType {

  ANY, WEAPON, RING, POTION

}
```

The iterator interface is extremely simple.

```java
public interface Iterator<T> {

  boolean hasNext();

  T next();
}
```

In the following example we iterate through the ring type items found in the chest. 

```java
var itemIterator = TREASURE_CHEST.iterator(ItemType.RING);
while (itemIterator.hasNext()) {
  LOGGER.info(itemIterator.next().toString());
}
// Ring of shadows
// Ring of armor
```

## Class diagram
![alt text](./etc/iterator_1.png "Iterator")

## Applicability
Use the Iterator pattern

* to access an aggregate object's contents without exposing its internal representation
* to support multiple traversals of aggregate objects
* to provide a uniform interface for traversing different aggregate structures

## Real world examples

* [java.util.Iterator](http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/java/util/Iterator.html)
* [java.util.Enumeration](http://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/java/util/Enumeration.html)

## Credits

* [Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0201633612/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0201633612&linkCode=as2&tag=javadesignpat-20&linkId=675d49790ce11db99d90bde47f1aeb59)
* [Head First Design Patterns: A Brain-Friendly Guide](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0596007124/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0596007124&linkCode=as2&tag=javadesignpat-20&linkId=6b8b6eea86021af6c8e3cd3fc382cb5b)