What is the primary function of a for-each loop in Java?

The primary function of a for-each loop in Java is to iterate over elements without using an index. This loop is specifically designed to simplify the syntax required for iterating through collections, arrays, or any iterable object. By using a for-each loop, developers can focus on the elements themselves rather than managing index variables, which reduces the likelihood of errors such as off-by-one errors and makes the code cleaner and more readable.

For-each loops inherently handle the details of retrieving elements and moving to the next one, allowing for straightforward access to each element in the sequence. This is particularly useful when you need to perform operations on every item in a collection without worrying about the position of the items. Additionally, because the for-each loop inherently knows the bounds of the collection, it avoids potential pitfalls associated with traditional indexed loops.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the primary role of a for-each loop. While sorting, checking conditions, or summing elements are important tasks in programming, they are not the fundamental purpose of a for-each loop. These tasks might be performed within the loop, but they do not define what a for-each loop is primarily designed to do.