What happens if we make recursive functions as inline?

Question

I have a doubt regarding inline functions. Inline functions will not involve any function calls but just replacement of function definition wherever the call is made to the inline function.Inline functions have type enforcement unlike macros. What will happen if recursive functions are made inline?

Possible duplicate of stackoverflow.com/questions/190232/… — SecurityMatt
– SecurityMatt, Commented Apr 9, 2013 at 18:08
@SecurityMatt may be the next time I will be more careful. Thankyou. — gst
– gst, Commented Apr 9, 2013 at 18:11
odd answer but: Many compilers can also inline expand some recursive functions; The Microsoft implementation will not inline recursive functions unless they have a #pragma inline depth(n) line that specifies the maximum recusion depth the function will have. — Grijesh Chauhan
– Grijesh Chauhan, Commented Apr 9, 2013 at 18:18
@VenkateshKuppan I putted a link below to Alexey Fruze's Answer, you may like to read over there. — Grijesh Chauhan
– Grijesh Chauhan, Commented Apr 9, 2013 at 18:27

Eric Miller · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-09 19:24:49Z

5

"inline" isn't a guarantee, it's a request.

Your recursive inline function won't (typically) be inline.

As some commenters point out, there are special cases (e.g. using compiler-specific pragmas) in which inlining is possible.

edited Apr 9, 2013 at 19:24

answered Apr 9, 2013 at 18:09

Eric Miller

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2 Comments

SecurityMatt Over a year ago

Just because it is recursive, doesn't mean your compiler won't inline it: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/69hzy453(v=vs.80).aspx

Grijesh Chauhan Over a year ago

improve your answer, with link given by @SecurityMatt, yes most compilers don't inline recursive functions but some do....read my comment to question also.

Alexey Frunze · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-09 18:10:21Z

inline is merely a suggestion to the compiler and does not guarantee that a function will be inlined.

Obviously, the compiler won't be able to inline a recursive function infinitely. It may not inline it at all or it may inline it just a few levels deep.

Yes few level possible in Microsoft compiler Just liked to share link with you

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