Iterator Pattern Use Cases and Examples in Java

Iterator is most useful when traversal meaning matters.

Strong Java Use Cases

• custom collection types
• tree or graph traversal
• filtered domain views
• ordered access over virtual or generated data

Weak Java Use Cases

Iterator is weak when:

• a plain List, Set, or stream already expresses the traversal well
• the custom cursor adds little beyond what standard collections provide

Use Iterator when it protects representation and makes traversal semantics explicit.