Iteration

iteration
    n 1: (computer science) a single execution of a set of
         instructions that are to be repeated; "the solution took
         hundreds of iterations" [syn: {iteration}, {loop}]
    2: (computer science) executing the same set of instructions a
       given number of times or until a specified result is
       obtained; "the solution is obtained by iteration" [syn:
       {iteration}, {looping}]
    3: doing or saying again; a repeated performance
    

Iteration \It`er*a"tion\, n. [L. iteratio.]
   1. Recital or performance a second time; repetition. --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

            What needs this iteration, woman?     --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Computers) The execution of a statement or series of
      statements in a loop which is repeated in a computer
      program; as, at each iteration, the counter is incremented
      by 2.
      [PJC]
    

iteration

   <programming> Repetition of a sequence of instructions.  A
   fundamental part of many {algorithms}.  Iteration is
   characterised by a set of initial conditions, an iterative
   step and a termination condition.

   A well known example of iteration in mathematics is
   Newton-Raphson iteration.  Iteration in programs is expressed
   using {loops}, e.g. in {C}:

   	new_x = n/2;
   	do
   	{
   	  x = new_x;
   	  new_x = 0.5 * (x + n/x);
   	} while (abs(new_x-x) > epsilon);

   Iteration can be expressed in functional languages using
   recursion:

   	solve x n = if abs(new_x-x) > epsilon
   		    then solve new_x n
   		    else new_x
   		    where new_x = 0.5 * (x + n/x)

           solve n/2 n

   (1998-04-04)
    

36 Moby Thesaurus words for "iteration":
      conduplication, copy, copying, critique, doubling, duplicate,
      duplication, dwelling upon, elaboration, gemination, going over,
      imitation, ingemination, practicing, reaffirmation, recap,
      recapitulation, recital, recountal, recounting, reduplication,
      rehash, rehearsal, reissue, reiteration, repetition, replication,
      reprint, reproduction, restatement, resume, retelling, review,
      summary, summing up, twinning