polymorphic iteration

noun

The use of an iterator class or interface to enable traversal over the members of any type of collection for which there is a corresponding descendant of that iterator by code which need not know the type of the collection.

Meanings

nounpolymorphic iteration (countable and uncountable, plural polymorphic iterations)

plural polymorphic iterations

  1. countableuncountablecomputingThe use of an iterator class or interface to enable traversal over the members of any type of collection for which there is a corresponding descendant of that iterator by code which need not know the type of the collection.

    When we write methods that take iterators as parameters, we are using polymorphic iteration.

    2004, Eric Freeman, Elisabeth Robson, Bert Bates, Head First Design Patterns: A Brain-Friendly Guide, page 347
    2 more examples

    The results described here provide the foundations for a series of results, including the definition of a linear version of Gödel's system Τ with a decidable typing system for polymorphic iteration.

    2007, Sandra Alves, Maribel Fernández, Mário Florido, Ian Mackie, “Linear Recursive Functions”, in Hubert Comon-Lundh, Claude Kirchner, Hélène Kirchner, editor, Rewriting, Computation and Proof, page 184

    Use the Iterator pattern to provide a uniform interface for traversing different aggregate structures (that is, to support polymorphic iteration).

    2011, Amnon H. Eden, Codecharts: Roadmaps and blueprints for object-oriented programs, page 145
Cite this entry
APA

polymorphic iteration. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polymorphic%20iteration

MLA

“polymorphic iteration.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polymorphic%20iteration. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “polymorphic iteration,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polymorphic%20iteration.

Source: polymorphic iteration on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.