What is the difference between loops and recursion in programming?

What is the difference between loops and recursion in programming?

Loops and recursion are both methods for repeating code, but they do so in different ways. A loop uses a control structure to repeat a block of code until a condition is met, while recursion involves a function calling itself to solve a problem.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! For a loop, consider a for loop that sums numbers from 1 to 5. For recursion, a function that calculates the factorial of a number by calling itself is a classic example.

Which one is more efficient?

It depends on the context. Loops generally use less memory and are faster, while recursion can lead to cleaner code but may cause stack overflow if too deep.

When should I use recursion instead of loops?

Recursion is often preferred for problems that can be broken down into smaller subproblems, like tree traversals or algorithms like quicksort.