In programming, what is typically the purpose of an iteration?

The purpose of iteration in programming is primarily to repeat a block of code multiple times until a specific condition is met. This process allows for efficient handling of tasks that require repeated actions, such as iterating through elements in a list, running calculations until a certain threshold is reached, or performing actions based on user input until they indicate they are finished.

Using iteration is fundamental in programming, as it helps manage repetitive tasks without needing to rewrite the same code multiple times, making the code more concise and easier to maintain. For example, using a loop to calculate the sum of all integers in a list involves setting a condition where the loop continues until it has processed each element in that list.

The other choices center around different aspects of programming but do not capture the core purpose of iteration. Executing code once, optimizing performance, and documenting changes do not involve the essence of repeating a code segment based on a condition.