How Deep Can C Recursion Go?

C Recursion Depth Limitation

Unlike Python, which imposes a limitation on recursion depth due to its interpreted nature, C 's recursion depth is primarily constrained by the stack size limit.

The stack in C manages the execution of function calls, and each time a function is called, a stack frame is allocated to store the function's local variables, function parameters, and other internal data. The stack size limit determines the maximum number of stack frames that can be allocated before reaching a stack overflow exception.

While the amount of RAM available on a system can influence the overall stack size, it is not the direct cause of the recursion depth limitation. The stack size is typically set by the operating system, and its default value (8 MB on macOS) is much smaller than the available RAM.

It is important to note that the size of each function's activation record (stack frame) also affects the maximum recursion depth. The exact size of an activation record can vary depending on the function and the compiler optimizations. To determine the size precisely, one approach is to examine the stack pointer adjustments in the assembly code using a debugger.

By understanding both the stack size limit and the activation record size, programmers can optimize their C code to avoid recursion depth issues. This may involve adjusting the stack size or refactoring the program to reduce the number of recursive calls.

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