[Python-ideas] A Continuations Compromise in Python

[Aahz]

On Mon, May 04, 2009, John Graham wrote:
>
> I do have a question though, if recursive algorithms are generally
> frowned upon (and I'd say, without TCO, anything too complex hits the
> stack quick) why is recursion even supported?  What is the 'Pythonic'
> use of recursion?

Who has said that recursive algorithms are "generally" frowned upon?
What people have said is that Python is not focused on recursive
algorithms the way TCO-languages are, but that is also true of e.g.
functional programming style.  Recursive algorithms are natural for
nested datastructures, but you will almost never find a nested
datastructure that is a thousand levels deep.
-- 
Aahz (aahz at pythoncraft.com)           <*>         http://www.pythoncraft.com/

"It is easier to optimize correct code than to correct optimized code."
--Bill Harlan