What is meant by iteration in a programming context?

In a programming context, iteration refers to the process of repeatedly executing a set of instructions or a block of code until a specified condition is met. This approach is commonly implemented using loops, such as for or while loops. During each cycle of iteration, the program performs operations, evaluates the condition, and determines whether to continue or exit the loop. This technique allows programmers to efficiently manage tasks that require repetition without the need to write the same code multiple times.

The concept of iteration is essential for operations such as traversing collections, processing elements, or performing calculations that require multiple passes over data. Each iteration progresses toward a defined goal, at which point the loop can terminate, resulting in more compact and efficient code.

In contrast, the other choices provided describe different aspects of programming but do not accurately reflect the specific meaning of iteration.