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A graphical technique for describing recursion

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Published:01 July 1976Publication History
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Abstract

One concept in computer science that is very difficult for the beginner to grasp, and equally difficult for the instructor to present in a straight-forward understandable manner, is the concept of recursion. Since this is a fundamental concept through which the amount of computer code required for some algorithms can be drastically reduced, an instructor must discuss this area early in a student's career, even though he runs the risk of confusing a few students for a lecture or two. This paper presents a method of describing recursive procedure calls that utilizes a form of self-generating state diagram. This approach enables the student to visually keep track of where program control is located at each moment during execution.

References

  1. 1 Introduction to Computer Science, by C. W. Gear, Science Research Associates, 1973.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar
  2. 2 Structured Programming and Problem Solving with ALGOL W, by R. B. Kieburts, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1975.Google ScholarGoogle Scholar

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  1. A graphical technique for describing recursion

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      • Published in

        cover image ACM SIGCSE Bulletin
        ACM SIGCSE Bulletin  Volume 8, Issue 3
        Proceedings of the 6th SIGCSE symposium on Computer science education
        July 1976
        146 pages
        ISSN:0097-8418
        DOI:10.1145/952991
        Issue’s Table of Contents
        • cover image ACM Conferences
          SIGCSE '76: Proceedings of the sixth SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education
          September 1976
          154 pages
          ISBN:9781450374453
          DOI:10.1145/800144

        Copyright © 1976 ACM

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        Association for Computing Machinery

        New York, NY, United States

        Publication History

        • Published: 1 July 1976

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