When should I use recursion?

What is recursion and when should I use it?

Recursion is a programming technique where a function calls itself. It's useful for problems that can be broken down into smaller, similar subproblems.

Can you give me an example of a problem that is best solved with recursion?

Sure! A classic example is calculating the factorial of a number. Instead of using a loop, you can define the factorial function in terms of itself.

Are there any downsides to using recursion?

Yes, recursion can lead to high memory usage and stack overflow errors if the recursion depth is too high. It's important to consider these factors.

How do I know if a problem is suitable for recursion?

Look for problems that can be divided into smaller subproblems, especially those that exhibit overlapping subproblems or optimal substructure.