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Recursion: Data Structures & Algorithms

Recursion is a programming technique where a function calls itself to solve a problem. It works by solving a smaller version of the same problem first. For example, calculating the factorial of a number n (written as n!) can be done recursively by defining it as n! = n * (n-1)! and having the function call itself with decreasing values of n until it reaches the base case of 0!. This recursive solution is contrasted with an iterative solution using a for loop.

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54 views

Recursion: Data Structures & Algorithms

Recursion is a programming technique where a function calls itself to solve a problem. It works by solving a smaller version of the same problem first. For example, calculating the factorial of a number n (written as n!) can be done recursively by defining it as n! = n * (n-1)! and having the function call itself with decreasing values of n until it reaches the base case of 0!. This recursive solution is contrasted with an iterative solution using a for loop.

Uploaded by

Aamir2686
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Recursion

Data Structures & Algorithms

Introduction

A programming technique in which a

function calls itself. One of the most effective techniques in programming.

What is recursion?

Sometimes, the best way to solve a problem


is by solving a smaller version of the exact same problem first Recursion is a technique that solves a problem by solving a smaller problem of the same type

When you turn this into a program, you end up with functions that call themselves (recursive functions)
int function(int x) { int y; if(x==0) return 1; else { y = 2 * function(x-1); return y+1; } }

Problems defined recursively

There are many problems whose solution


can be defined recursively Example: n factorial
n!= 1 (n-1)!*n 1 1*2*3**(n-1)*n if n = 0 if n > 0 if n = 0 if n > 0 (recursive solution)

n!=

(closed form solution)

Coding the factorial function

Recursive implementation
int Factorial(int n) { if (n==0) // base case return 1; else return n * Factorial(n-1); }

Iterative implementation
int Factorial(int n) { int fact = 1;

Coding the factorial function (cont.)

for(int count = 2; count <= n; count++) fact = fact * count; return fact; }

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