Iteration is the act of repeating a process, to generate a sequence of results (possibly unlimited), with the objective of approaching a desired purpose or result. In the context of mathematics or computer science, iteration (along with the related technique of recursion) is a standard building block of algorithms.
In computer programming, iteration, also called by the English term loop, is a control structure within an algorithm that solves a given problem, which orders the computer to repeatedly execute a sequence of instructions, generally until the occurrence of specific logical conditions.
It is important to highlight that the sequence and selection make up one of the three fundamental structures for the algorithmic resolution of a specific problem according to the Böhm-Jacopini theorem. There are several forms of iteration; the best known are the MENTRE, the REPEAT, and the PER. It can be said that iteration is the strong link of programming that allows you to automate the performance of a process, which is not enough to simply execute a sequence of instructions.
The so-called "infinite loop" is a case of iteration due to a programming error that stops the execution of the program, while in some programming techniques, especially with microcontrollers, it is used deliberately to iterate infinitely within the program.
In software development, the iterative is used to describe a heuristic planning and development process where an application is developed in small sections called iterations. Each iteration is reviewed and critiqued by the software team and potential end users; The insights gained from critiquing an iteration are used to determine the next step in development. Data models or sequence diagrams, which are often used to plot iterations, keep track of what has been tried, approved, or discarded, and ultimately serve as a kind of blueprint for the final product.
The challenge with iterative development is being able to ensure that all iterations are compatible. As each new iteration is approved, developers can employ a technique known as backward engineering, which is a systematic review and verification procedure to make sure that each new iteration is compatible with the previous ones. The advantage of using iterative development is that the end user is involved in the development process. Rather than waiting until the application is a final product, when changes cannot easily be made, problems are identified and resolved at each stage of development. Iterative development is sometimes called circular or evolutionary development.
