What is the term for one full repetition of a set of instructions in programming?

The term "iteration" refers to one complete cycle through a set of instructions or a block of code in programming. In the context of loops, an iteration happens each time the loop executes its body. This concept is crucial because many programming algorithms rely on repeating actions until a certain condition is met, thereby allowing repeated processing of data without rewriting the same code multiple times.

When the same set of instructions is executed multiple times under different conditions or data, it is categorized as iterations. This allows programs to efficiently process large datasets or perform tasks that need repetitive calculations. Understanding iterations is essential for grasping how loops operate, contributing significantly to the overall flow of the program.

Other terms might relate closely but do not denote the specific process of executing a block of code once. For instance, recursion denotes a method where a function calls itself to solve smaller instances of a problem, rather than focusing on a repetition of instructions over a loop. Thus, "iteration" is the most appropriate term in this context.