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Recursive Call

Definition

A recursive call is when a function calls itself within its own code, allowing for repetitive execution of the same set of instructions.

Analogy

Imagine you are at a party and there is a dance floor. You see someone dancing and they invite you to join them. As you start dancing, you realize that there are more people joining in and each person invites others to dance too. This creates a chain reaction where everyone keeps inviting more people to dance, just like how a recursive call keeps calling itself.

Related terms

Base Case: A base case is the condition that stops the recursion by providing an exit point for the function.

Recursion Depth: The recursion depth refers to the number of times a function has called itself.

Tail Recursion: Tail recursion occurs when the recursive call is the last operation performed in a function.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.