Difference between a for-loop and a while-loop using an Iterator
iterator, java, loops, performance
Solution
The difference is basically
In for loop:
for (Iterator<DataType> it = list.iterator(); list.hasNext(); )
In this case, you are declaring the Iterator object locally and it will be `eligible for GC(garbage collection) after the for loop`.
In while loop,
`while (it.hasNext())` since you have declared the object Iterator outside a loop. So its scope is may be `the entire program` or the `method it is in`. Or incase if it is referenced anywhere, so it wont be eligible for GC.
Hope this helps.
Problem
Iterator using while-loop: ``` List<DataType> list = new ArrayList<DataType>(); Iterator<YourDataType> it = yourList.iterator(); while (it.hasNext()) // Do something ``` Iterator using for-loop: ``` List<DataType> list = new ArrayList<DataType>(); for ( Iterator<DataType> it = list.iterator(); list.hasNext(); ) // Do something ``` I've read that the for-loop minimizes the scope of the Iterator to the loop itself. What exactly does that mean? Should I use the for-loop insteed of the while-loop?