Function & Recursion

Modular Programming 

Modular programming is the process of subdividing a computer program into separate sub-programs.

A module is a separate software component. It can often be used in a variety of applications and functions with other components of the system. Similar functions are grouped in the same unit of programming code and separate functions are developed as separate units of code so that the code can be reused by other applications.

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is compatible with the modular programming concept to a large extent. Modular programming enables multiple programmers to divide up the work and debug pieces of the program independently.

The benefits of using modular programming include:

• Less code has to be written.
• A single procedure can be developed for reuse, eliminating the need to retype the code many times.
• Programs can be designed more easily because a small team deals with only a small part of the entire code.
• Modular programming allows many programmers to collaborate on the same application.
• The code is stored across multiple files.
• Code is short, simple and easy to understand.
• Errors can easily be identified, as they are localized to a subroutine or function.
• The same code can be used in many applications.
• The scoping of variables can easily be controlled.

Function

A function is a set of statements that take inputs, do some specific computation and produces output.

The idea is to put some commonly or repeatedly done task together and make a function, so that instead of writing the same code again and again for different inputs, we can call the function.

Recursion

Recursion is the process of repeating items in a self-similar way. In programming languages, if a program allows you to call a function inside the same function, then it is called a recursive call of the function.

Although recursive code more concise it needs:

–     More memory consumption – as stack memory is needed

–     Takes longer time, should traverse through all recursive call using stack