[Python-Dev] Proper tail recursion (original) (raw)

Michael Chermside mcherm at mcherm.com
Thu Jul 15 18:17:55 CEST 2004

Guido writes:

Still -1. I was understating my case: I find the "recursion is the basis of everything" attitude harmful.

Just for the record, I understand that is your objection, I simply wanted to publicly disagree with it. I have a great deal of respect for your judgement, but occasionally I think you're wrong .

Michael Walter writes:

Anyway there was no agreement yet that Jython couldn't support that feature, too, IIRC - I would certainly be happy to have it in Python.

Well, I think I understand Jython well enough to provide the assurance: Jython is (intentionally, and for good reason) designed to utilize the JVM's call stack. Thus Jython cannot support tail call elimination unless it is run on a JVM which does tail call elimination. I don't believe any such JVM exists, but as far as I know, the JVM specification allows it.

-- Michael Chermside

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