Question

Explain the benefits a recursive algorithm can provide.

Discuss the negative aspects of using recursion.

Answer 1

Following are the benefits of recursive algorithm.   

• Recursion means calling the same function again from within the function. Therefore the function requires lesser number of variables and thus the code will be short.
• Recursion is very simple and easy to understand.
• Unnecessary function calls can be avoided using recursive functions.
• A substitute for iterative solutions which are big and more complex.
• Recursion is a very good choice when the input to the function is small.
• Recursion helps in reducing time complexity.
• A useful way of defining objects which have similar structure.
• Nested loops can be avoided since the function calls itself.

Following are the negative aspects of using recursion.

• There is a great great chance that the recursive function will keep on calling itself, unless you don't know where exactly to provide the return statement.
• The memory allocation is much greater than that of iteration functions.
• Not advisable to use recursive functions for small programs running on pc's, since recursion takes a lot of stack space.
• The logical aspect of recursive functions are difficult to understand and debugging is also difficult.
• These functions appears confusing for beginners.
• Recursive functions can slower than iteration if not implemented properly.
• There is chance of program crashing if the program runs out of memory.

Hope i have answered your question.

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