Category:Recursion: Difference between revisions

Many recursion problems can be solved with an iterative method, or using a [[loop]] of some sort (usually recursion and iteration are contrasted in programming, even though recursion is a specific type of iteration). In some languages, the factorial example is best done with a loop because of function call overhead. Some other languages, like [[Scheme]], are designed to favor recursion over explicit looping, using [[tail recursion]] optimization to convert recursive calls into loop structures. If loop structures are not available in your language (or not allowed) inby the rules of your languagetask), recursion is a good way to go.