I'm wondering whether you meant "recursive". Here is a simple example of a recursive function to compute the factorial function:
def factorial(n):
if n == 0:
return 1
else:
return n * factorial(n - 1)
The two key elements of a recursive algorithm are:
- The termination condition:
n == 0 - The reduction step where the function calls itself with a smaller number each time:
factorial(n - 1)
Videos
our professor barely explained this topic and we have assessments due on tuesday i donโt understand how to do recursions in python and btw weโre not allowed to use for and while loops help
I'm wondering whether you meant "recursive". Here is a simple example of a recursive function to compute the factorial function:
def factorial(n):
if n == 0:
return 1
else:
return n * factorial(n - 1)
The two key elements of a recursive algorithm are:
- The termination condition:
n == 0 - The reduction step where the function calls itself with a smaller number each time:
factorial(n - 1)
Recursion in Python works just as recursion in an other language, with the recursive construct defined in terms of itself:
For example a recursive class could be a binary tree (or any tree):
class tree():
def __init__(self):
'''Initialise the tree'''
self.Data = None
self.Count = 0
self.LeftSubtree = None
self.RightSubtree = None
def Insert(self, data):
'''Add an item of data to the tree'''
if self.Data == None:
self.Data = data
self.Count += 1
elif data < self.Data:
if self.LeftSubtree == None:
# tree is a recurive class definition
self.LeftSubtree = tree()
# Insert is a recursive function
self.LeftSubtree.Insert(data)
elif data == self.Data:
self.Count += 1
elif data > self.Data:
if self.RightSubtree == None:
self.RightSubtree = tree()
self.RightSubtree.Insert(data)
if __name__ == '__main__':
T = tree()
# The root node
T.Insert('b')
# Will be put into the left subtree
T.Insert('a')
# Will be put into the right subtree
T.Insert('c')
As already mentioned a recursive structure must have a termination condition. In this class, it is not so obvious because it only recurses if new elements are added, and only does it a single time extra.
Also worth noting, python by default has a limit to the depth of recursion available, to avoid absorbing all of the computer's memory. On my computer this is 1000. I don't know if this changes depending on hardware, etc. To see yours :
import sys
sys.getrecursionlimit()
and to set it :
import sys #(if you haven't already)
sys.setrecursionlimit()
edit: I can't guarentee that my binary tree is the most efficient design ever. If anyone can improve it, I'd be happy to hear how