Implementing Iterators in Rust

Introduction

In this lab, we learn about the Iterator trait in Rust, which is used to implement iterators over collections such as arrays. The Iterator trait requires the next method to be defined for the iterator, and can be manually implemented in an impl block or automatically defined for arrays and ranges. The for construct can be used to conveniently turn some collections into iterators using the .into_iter() method. The lab provides an example implementation of the Fibonacci sequence generator as an iterator, showcasing how to define the next method and use the Iterator trait. Additionally, it demonstrates the use of take and skip methods to manipulate iterators, as well as the iter method for iterating over arrays.

Note: If the lab does not specify a file name, you can use any file name you want. For example, you can use main.rs, compile and run it with rustc main.rs && ./main.

Skills Graph

Iterators

The Iterator trait is used to implement iterators over collections such as arrays.

The trait requires only a method to be defined for the next element, which may be manually defined in an impl block or automatically defined (as in arrays and ranges).

As a point of convenience for common situations, the for construct turns some collections into iterators using the .into_iter() method.

struct Fibonacci {
    curr: u32,
    next: u32,
}

// Implement `Iterator` for `Fibonacci`.
// The `Iterator` trait only requires a method to be defined for the `next` element.
impl Iterator for Fibonacci {
    // We can refer to this type using Self::Item
    type Item = u32;

    // Here, we define the sequence using `.curr` and `.next`.
    // The return type is `Option<T>`:
    //     * When the `Iterator` is finished, `None` is returned.
    //     * Otherwise, the next value is wrapped in `Some` and returned.
    // We use Self::Item in the return type, so we can change
    // the type without having to update the function signatures.
    fn next(&mut self) -> Option<Self::Item> {
        let current = self.curr;

        self.curr = self.next;
        self.next = current + self.next;

        // Since there's no endpoint to a Fibonacci sequence, the `Iterator`
        // will never return `None`, and `Some` is always returned.
        Some(current)
    }
}

// Returns a Fibonacci sequence generator
fn fibonacci() -> Fibonacci {
    Fibonacci { curr: 0, next: 1 }
}

fn main() {
    // `0..3` is an `Iterator` that generates: 0, 1, and 2.
    let mut sequence = 0..3;

    println!("Four consecutive `next` calls on 0..3");
    println!("> {:?}", sequence.next());
    println!("> {:?}", sequence.next());
    println!("> {:?}", sequence.next());
    println!("> {:?}", sequence.next());

    // `for` works through an `Iterator` until it returns `None`.
    // Each `Some` value is unwrapped and bound to a variable (here, `i`).
    println!("Iterate through 0..3 using `for`");
    for i in 0..3 {
        println!("> {}", i);
    }

    // The `take(n)` method reduces an `Iterator` to its first `n` terms.
    println!("The first four terms of the Fibonacci sequence are: ");
    for i in fibonacci().take(4) {
        println!("> {}", i);
    }

    // The `skip(n)` method shortens an `Iterator` by dropping its first `n` terms.
    println!("The next four terms of the Fibonacci sequence are: ");
    for i in fibonacci().skip(4).take(4) {
        println!("> {}", i);
    }

    let array = [1u32, 3, 3, 7];

    // The `iter` method produces an `Iterator` over an array/slice.
    println!("Iterate the following array {:?}", &array);
    for i in array.iter() {
        println!("> {}", i);
    }
}

Summary

Congratulations! You have completed the Iterators lab. You can practice more labs in LabEx to improve your skills.