What are the differences between iterative and recursive algorithms?

What are the differences between iterative and recursive algorithms?

Iterative algorithms use loops to repeat a process, while recursive algorithms call themselves to solve smaller instances.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! An iterative example is calculating the factorial using a loop, while a recursive example is calculating it by calling the factorial function within itself.

Which one is more efficient?

It depends on the context. Iterative algorithms generally use less memory, while recursive algorithms can be more elegant but may lead to stack overflow if too deep.

When should I use one over the other?

Use iterative algorithms for simple tasks with known limits, and recursive algorithms for problems that can be broken down into smaller subproblems, like tree traversals.