Recursive functions

To understand recursion, you must first understand recursion.

You may think of recursion as a programming structure where a function calls itself. We call such a function a recursive function. Many algorithms can be implemented using recursion. Here鈥檚 a brief introduction to recursion and recursive functions.

See also: Essential Algorithms, chapter 9 (Recursion, Basic Algorithms) for more on recursion, factorial, and Fibonacci.

Further reading

• (Stamford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
• (Wikipedia)
• Hofstadter, Douglas R., G枚del, Escher, Bach : An Eternal Golden Braid. New York, Basic Books, 1979.
  • See Chapter V. Recursive Structures and Processes. Note that this chapter also discusses stacks, pushing, and popping, which we鈥檒l see a little later in the course.

Resources

• Recursive_Functions.pdf

Comprehension check

1. Every recursive function must have at least one ___________ case and at least one ___________ case.
2. Is recursion always the most efficient way to solve a problem?
3. Without a __________________ recursion can lead to infinite regress.

Answers: 菨s蓯蓴 菨s蓯q / ou / 菨蕦岽塻晒n蓴菨晒 鈥櫱漵蓯q

Amusement

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Copyright 漏 2023鈥�2025 Clayton Cafiero

No generative AI was used in producing this material. This was written the old-fashioned way.