I never understood why recursion causes anyone any problems, because recursion is the absence of a special case limitation.
If I tell you that a function may call any function, then you already know everything you need to know for recursion. If we didn't have recursion, only then would I need to qualify what I just told you with the restriction that a function can only be active once.
When I show students recursion I can't understand their confusion. I think to myself 'but I already showed you functions can call any other function, why do you see this case differently?'
(Obviously I try to be more patient, understanding and anticipatory in person.)
If I tell you that a function may call any function, then you already know everything you need to know for recursion. If we didn't have recursion, only then would I need to qualify what I just told you with the restriction that a function can only be active once.
When I show students recursion I can't understand their confusion. I think to myself 'but I already showed you functions can call any other function, why do you see this case differently?'
(Obviously I try to be more patient, understanding and anticipatory in person.)