infinite loop

[LOPEZ GARCIA DE LOMANA, ADRIAN]

Hi all, 

I have a question with some code I'm writting:


def main():

    if option == 1:

        function_a()

    elif option == 2:

        function_b()

    else:

        raise 'option has to be either 1 or 2'

    if iteration == True:

        main()

def function_a():

    print 'hello from function a'

    return None

def function_b():

    print 'hello from function b'

    return None

iteration = True

option = 1

main()


I want an infinite loop, but after some iterations (996) it breaks:


[alopez at dhcp-222 tmp]$ python test.py
hello from function a
hello from function a
hello from function a
.
.
.
hello from function a
hello from function a
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "test.py", line 35, in ?
    main()
  File "test.py", line 17, in main
    main()
  File "test.py", line 17, in main

.
.
.
.
  File "test.py", line 17, in main
    main()
  File "test.py", line 17, in main
    main()
  File "test.py", line 5, in main
    function_a()
RuntimeError: maximum recursion depth exceeded


I don't understand it. Why am I not allowed to iterate infinitely? Something about the functions? What should I do for having an infinite loop?

Thanks in advance for your help, 

Adrián.