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Java Recursion
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Java Recursion
Recursion is the technique of making a function call itself. This technique provides a way to
break complicated problems down into simple problems which are easier to solve.
Recursion may be a bit difficult to understand. The best way to figure out how it works is to
experiment with it.
Recursion Example
Adding two numbers together is easy to do, but adding a range of numbers is more
complicated. In the following example, recursion is used to add a range of numbers together
by breaking it down into the simple task of adding two numbers:
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Use recursion to add all of the numbers up to 10.
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int result = sum(10);
System.out.println(result);
}
public static int sum(int k) {
if (k > 0) {
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return k + sum(k - 1);
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} else {
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return 0;
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}
}
}
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Example Explained
When the sum() function is called, it adds parameter k to the sum of all numbers smaller
than k and returns the result. When k becomes 0, the function just returns 0. When
running, the program follows these steps:
10 + sum(9)
10 + ( 9 + sum(8) )
10 + ( 9 + ( 8 + sum(7) ) )
...
10 + 9 + 8 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 + sum(0)
10 + 9 + 8 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 + 0
Since the function does not call itself when k is 0, the program stops there and returns the
result.
Halting Condition
Just as loops can run into the problem of infinite looping, recursive functions can run into the
problem of infinite recursion. Infinite recursion is when the function never stops calling itself.
Every recursive function should have a halting condition, which is the condition where the
function stops calling itself. In the previous example, the halting condition is when the
parameter k becomes 0.
It is helpful to see a variety of different examples to better understand the concept. In this
example, the function adds a range of numbers between a start and an end. The halting
condition for this recursive function is when end is not greater than start:
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Use recursion to add all of the numbers between 5 to 10.
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int result = sum(5, 10);
System.out.println(result);
}
public static int sum(int start, int end) {
if (end > start) {
return end + sum(start, end - 1);
} else {
return end;
}
}
}
Try it Yourself »
The developer should be very careful with recursion as it can be quite easy to slip into
writing a function which never terminates, or one that uses excess amounts of memory or
processor power. However, when written correctly recursion can be a very efficient and
mathematically-elegant approach to programming.
?
Exercise
In simple words, what is Recursion?
Conditions inside switch statements
A technique of making a function call itself
Constant variables that have the possibility to be free
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