getAll

GetAll is a common method name used across programming languages and frameworks to retrieve every item from a collection, dataset, or resource. Its exact behavior depends on context, but it generally returns a collection of records that match a query or, if no filters are provided, all records available in the source. The method is often part of a data access layer, repository pattern, or API client.

Return types and data structures vary. In many libraries, getAll returns a list or array of objects. Some implementations return a cursor, iterator, or stream to support lazy loading or streaming of large datasets. Variants may also apply default ordering or apply server-side filters before returning results.

In API design, a getAll operation maps to a collection endpoint, typically invoked with an HTTP GET request to a resource collection. This pattern is commonly used for listing resources, and it often supports pagination, filtering, sorting, and field selection to manage response size and performance.

Performance and resource considerations are important. Fetching all records is inexpensive for small datasets but can be costly for large ones, so developers often introduce pagination, limits, or cursors. Error handling may involve returning an empty collection, signaling partial results, or throwing an exception on failure, depending on the framework.

Naming conventions for this method vary; some projects prefer list, findAll, or getAll, while others encapsulate similar functionality under a generic query or search method. Documentation typically clarifies exact semantics, return types, and any side effects.