Which methods are key to the Iterator Pattern?

The Iterator Pattern is a design pattern that provides a systematic way to access the elements of a collection without exposing the underlying representation of that collection. The key methods that are central to this pattern are primarily the ones that manage the traversal through the collection.

The method hasNext() plays an essential role in checking whether there are more elements to iterate over. It returns a boolean value indicating the presence of additional elements in the collection, ensuring that the iteration process does not exceed the bounds of the data structure being traversed.

The next() method is equally crucial as it retrieves the next element in the iteration. When called, it not only provides the value of the current item but then moves the iterator to the subsequent item, effectively facilitating step-wise traversal through the collection.

Together, these two methods—hasNext() and next()—are fundamental for implementing the Iterator Pattern, enabling a seamless and encapsulated way to navigate through a collection while maintaining control over the iteration process.