What could be causing my simple recursion function to loop endlessly?

Question

What could be causing my simple recursion function to loop endlessly?

let data = [1, 2, 3]
let sorted = []

let push = function(i) {
  while(i<data.length) {
    sorted.push(data[i])
    push(i + 1)
  }
}

push(0)

Hey there,

I am experimenting with some recursive code and it seems to be stuck in an endless loop. Apologies for the novice question, but I would appreciate if someone could shed some light on this.

Expected outcome: Should simulate a for loop by iterating over an array and pushing elements to a new array. It should stop when reaching i == data.length

Current behavior: It iterates for 0, 1, 2, then back to 2 until hitting a stack overflow.

Codefiddle link: https://jsfiddle.net/t579jbog/

javascript arrays function recursion iteration

Answer 1

Answer №1

Make sure to use the if statement instead of the while loop, and ensure that you modify the value of i in each recursive call.

let numbers = [1, 2, 3]
let arranged = []

let insert = function(index) {
  if (index < numbers.length) {
    arranged.push(numbers[index]);
    insert(index + 1);
  }
}

insert(0);

console.log(arranged);

Answer 2

Make sure to use the if statement instead of the while loop, and ensure that you modify the value of i in each recursive call.

let numbers = [1, 2, 3]
let arranged = []

let insert = function(index) {
  if (index < numbers.length) {
    arranged.push(numbers[index]);
    insert(index + 1);
  }
}

insert(0);

console.log(arranged);

Answer 3

Answer №2

Instead of relying on index values, you have the option to use shift() in arrays (shift() function eliminates the first item in the array and returns its value which can then be added into a sorted array).

Afterwards, all you need to do is to verify if the array length is greater than 0; if it is, pass it back to the same function for repeated processing until the array is empty.

To display that values are being retrieved during each iteration, I'm outputting the contents of the sorted array using console.log.

let data = [1, 2, 3]
let sorted = []

let push = function(arr) {
sorted.push(arr.shift())
console.log(sorted);

if(arr.length > 0) {
push(arr); 
}
}


push(data);

Answer 4

Instead of relying on index values, you have the option to use shift() in arrays (shift() function eliminates the first item in the array and returns its value which can then be added into a sorted array).

Afterwards, all you need to do is to verify if the array length is greater than 0; if it is, pass it back to the same function for repeated processing until the array is empty.

To display that values are being retrieved during each iteration, I'm outputting the contents of the sorted array using console.log.

let data = [1, 2, 3]
let sorted = []

let push = function(arr) {
sorted.push(arr.shift())
console.log(sorted);

if(arr.length > 0) {
push(arr); 
}
}


push(data);

What could be causing my simple recursion function to loop endlessly?

Answer №1

Answer №2

Similar questions

Tips on retrieving values from input files using jQuery

The power of combining React with Three.js

What steps can I take to stop Node.js from caching 'require' module executions?

Mistake in closing the component by the parent is causing an issue with Vuetify's v-dialog functionality

A delivery person is sending a JSON post request with an empty body to the Express server

What are the steps to view my HTML webpage on a smartphone?

Passing an array from Javascript to a Spring Controller without relying on jQuery

The middleware for express body-parser stores information in the "name" property

Implementing AngularJS with varied parameters and functions

Utilizing Event Delegation in jQuery to Handle submit() Events

Is it secure to use ES6 in Typescript with nodejs/koa?

Transfer the URL of a template with a PK parameter from JavaScript to Django

What is the process for loading a .x model in Three.js?

What is the process of resetting dropdown option values?

My gadget is caught in a loop, the conditions are failing to function properly

Array of dynamically typed objects in Typescript

Executing the event handler only once

Utilize GetXmlHttpObject for an AJAX request to interact with a PHP script

Tips for executing a series of getJSON requests sequentially, depending on the outcome of the preceding request

How to find a collision between a spherical object and a triangular shape in a three