What are the differences between recursive backtracking and iterative approaches?

What are the differences between recursive backtracking and iterative approaches?

Recursive backtracking is a method that solves problems by exploring all possible solutions, while iterative approaches use loops to repeat a process until a condition is met.

Can you give me an example of a problem where recursive backtracking is preferred?

Sure! A classic example is the N-Queens problem, where you need to place N queens on an N×N chessboard without them attacking each other.

What are the advantages of using iterative methods?

Iterative methods often use less memory than recursive methods, as they don't require the overhead of multiple function calls on the call stack.

Are there any downsides to recursive backtracking?

Yes, recursive backtracking can lead to high memory usage and stack overflow for large problem sizes due to deep recursion.