java - Difference between Iterator and Listiterator?

Question

Iterator ite = Set.iterator();
Iterator ite = List.iterator();

ListIterator listite = List.listIterator();

We can use Iterator to traverse a Set or a List or a Map. But ListIterator can only be used to traverse a List, it can't traverse a Set. Why?

I know that the main difference is that with iterator we can travel in only one direction but with ListIterator we can travel both directions. Are there any other differences? And any advantages of ListIterator over Iterator?

Answer 1

The differences are listed in the Javadoc for ListIterator

You can

• iterate backwards
• obtain the iterator at any point.
• add a new value at any point.
• set a new value at that point.