What are the advantages of iterative vs recursive methods?

What are the advantages of iterative vs recursive methods?

Iterative methods use loops to repeat operations, while recursive methods call themselves. Iteration is often more memory efficient.

Can you explain why iteration is more memory efficient?

Sure! Iteration maintains a single state in memory, while recursion can create multiple states on the call stack, leading to higher memory usage.

Are there any scenarios where recursion is preferred?

Yes, recursion is often preferred for problems that can be broken down into smaller subproblems, like tree traversals or factorial calculations.

What about performance differences between the two?

Generally, iterative solutions are faster due to less overhead, but recursion can be more elegant and easier to read for complex problems.

Can you give an example of a problem best solved by recursion?

A classic example is the Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones, making it naturally recursive.