What is the term for the process of repeating certain steps to achieve a specific goal, particularly in programming?

Iteration refers to the process of repeating a specific set of steps or instructions in a programming context to achieve a goal. It is commonly used in programming to traverse collections of data, such as arrays or lists, or to perform a task multiple times until a condition is met. Through iteration, a programmer can efficiently handle repetitive tasks without having to write the same code multiple times, enhancing both readability and maintainability of the code.

While recursion, another option, also involves repetition, it specifically refers to a function that calls itself to solve a problem. Recursion can be powerful but may lead to increased complexity and potential stack overflow issues if not managed correctly.

Function calls are a fundamental concept in programming where a named section of code is executed. While they can be part of an iterative or recursive process, they do not inherently describe the repetition of steps.

Looping is a term very closely related to iteration and often used interchangeably in casual conversation. However, it is more specific to certain structures in programming (like 'for' or 'while' loops) that facilitate iteration.

Thus, iteration is the broader term that captures the essence of the process accurately when discussing repeating steps to achieve a goal in programming.