[clug-progsig] Recursion (was Javascript how to write to a <textarea>)

[Rob S]

I think i've got a bit of a handle on it now, i just have to type up 
some code on it.
I'd like to thank everyone for their examples, and help.

-Rob.

Jason Louie wrote:

>Simple recursion:
>
>// For integers only
>int Add (int x, int y)
>{
>    if (y == 0) return 0;
>
>    if (y > 0) return (Add (x + 1, y - 1));
>    if (y < 0) return (Add (x - 1, y + 1));
>}
>
>Here is an example of how the function is executed,
>
>Add (4, 3);
>  Add (4 + 1, 3 - 1); // y > 0 -- which is Add (5, 2);
>  Add (5, 2);
>    Add (5 + 1, 2 - 1);
>    Add (6, 1);
>      Add (6 + 1, 1 - 1);
>      Add (7, 0);  // Since y is now 0 return x; (return 7)
>
>Hope this helps.  Convert the function to a Multiply function would be
>a good way to get a better understanding of recursion.
>    
>
>On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 09:47:05 -0700, Cade Cairns <cairnsc at gmail.com> wrote:
>  
>
>>A classical example of recursion is in binary tree algorithms. They
>>are (in various forms) one of the most useful data structures you can
>>employ in the C language. Here is an example I found using Google:
>>
>>http://www.cee.hw.ac.uk/~rjp/Coursewww/Cwww/tree.html
>>
>>On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 01:25:25 -0700, Shawn <sgrover at open2space.com> wrote:
>>    
>>
>>>The simplest explanation of recursion is a function that calls itself, and has
>>>and ending condition of some sort.
>>>
>>>The key is the ending condition - otherwise you essentially end up in an
>>>endless loop, but sucking up stack space for each function call.
>>>
>>>Um... I'm not comfortable enough with C/C++ to create code in it, but
>>>JavaScript is a similar syntax (if you stick with the basics), so I'll use
>>>that to show a sample:
>>>
>>>---------------------
>>>function AddTotals(CurrentIndex, Totals)
>>>{
>>>        //End Condition
>>>        if (CurrentIndex >= 10)
>>>        {
>>>                return parseFloat(Totals) + 10;
>>>        }
>>>        else {
>>>                CurrentIndex = CurrentIndex + 1;
>>>                Totals = CurrentIndex + parseFloat(AddTotals(CurrentIndex, Totals));
>>>        }
>>>
>>>//This could be a printf() function - the purpose is just so we can see what
>>>//is happening
>>>document.write(parseFloat(CurrentIndex) +" : " + parseFloat(Totals) + "<br>");
>>>
>>>        return Totals;
>>>}
>>>
>>>alert(AddTotals(0,0));
>>>---------------------
>>>
>>>The alert() function at the end of the snippet triggers our recursive
>>>function, and passes in our starting values of 0 and 0.
>>>
>>>The first time through the loop , CurrentIndex is less than 10, so we'll
>>>increase it by 1, and then the value of the new call to the AddTotals()
>>>function, to our function.
>>>
>>>Critical points to take note of:
>>>- all variables declared in the function have local scope - changing a global
>>>variable in this manner can lead to some very unexpected (and unpleasent)
>>>results, if not carefully managed.
>>>- we have a very clear end condition - When CurrentIndex is >= 10, we don't
>>>call the function again.
>>>- we are updating the values used in our ending condition, so we know we'll
>>>eventually hit it.  I guess you can rely on external values for your
>>>condition, but that's probably asking for trouble.
>>>
>>>The syntax might be a little different in C/C++, but the concepts, and
>>>critical points still apply.  I've yet to see a language where they don't
>>>apply.  Just be careful you're not relying on a pointer that could
>>>potentially be updated outside the recursive function.
>>>
>>>Hope this helps.  (btw, the code above works - I tested it first.. <grins>)
>>>
>>>Shawn
>>>
>>>On Saturday 12 February 2005 00:25, Rob S wrote:
>>>      
>>>
>>>>Doug Boyd wrote:
>>>>        
>>>>
>>>>>Hi guys,
>>>>>
>>>>>I'm working on a Javascript program to solve the classic Hanoi Towers
>>>>>problem. The recursive function and algorithm works fine, but I'm unable
>>>>>to write the 'textstring' variable to the <textarea>.
>>>>>          
>>>>>
>>>>I was wondering if someone could walk me through an explanation of
>>>>recursion in the context of the C programming language? This is probably
>>>>best saved for a meeting session, but seeing as the next meeting's a few
>>>>weeks away, I was wondering if someone could try explaining it to me
>>>>over email?
>>>>        
>>>>
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>>
>>    
>>
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