What are the differences between iterative and recursive functions in C?

What are the differences between iterative and recursive functions in C?

Iterative functions use loops to repeat code, while recursive functions call themselves to solve problems.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! An iterative function to calculate factorial might use a for loop, while a recursive function would call itself with a decremented value.

Which one is more efficient?

Iterative functions are generally more memory efficient since they don't add to the call stack like recursive functions do.

Are there any situations where recursion is preferred?

Yes, recursion can be more elegant and easier to read for problems like tree traversals or when the problem naturally fits a recursive structure.