Recursion is a programming technique where a function calls itself from "summary" of Python Programming by John M. Zelle
Recursion takes place when a function calls itself. This might sound a bit strange at first, but it can actually be quite useful in solving certain types of problems. For example, consider the problem of calculating the factorial of a number. One way to do this is to use a loop to multiply all the numbers from 1 up to the given number. Another way is to use recursion. When a function calls itself, it enters into a chain of function calls. In order for recursion to work correctly, there must be a base case that is used to stop the chain of function calls. Without a base case, the function will continue to call itself indefinitely, eventually causing a stack overflow. Recursion can be a powerful tool in programming, but it can also be tricky to get right. It requires a good understanding of how functions work and how they interact with each other. Additionally, recursion can be less efficient than iteration in some cases, so it's important to consider whether it is the best tool for the job. It's also worth noting that recursion can be harder to debug than iterative solutions, since it can be difficult to trace the chain of function calls. One common use of recursion is in traversing data structures, such as trees or graphs. By defining a function that calls itself on each child node, it is possible to visit every node in the data structure. This can be a more elegant solution than using a loop, especially for complex data structures with variable numbers of child nodes. However, it is important to be careful when using recursion with large data structures, as it can lead to stack overflow errors if the depth of the recursion becomes too large.- Recursion is a powerful programming technique that can be useful in certain situations. By understanding how recursion works and when it is appropriate to use, you can leverage its power to solve a variety of problems in a concise and elegant manner.
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