Code Generation for Recursive Functions

To generate code for recursive MATLAB^® functions, the code generator uses compile-time recursion or run-time recursion. You can influence whether the code generator uses compile-time or run-time recursion by modifying your MATLAB code. See Force Code Generator to Use Run-Time Recursion.

You can disallow recursion or disable run-time recursion by modifying configuration parameters.

When you use recursive functions in MATLAB code that is intended for code generation, you must adhere to certain restrictions. See Recursive Function Limitations for Code Generation.

Compile-Time Recursion

With compile-time recursion, the code generator creates multiple versions of a recursive function in the generated code. The inputs to each version have values or sizes that are customized for that version. These versions are known as function specializations. You can tell that the code generator used compile-time recursion by looking at the code generation report or the generated C code. Here is an example of compile-time recursion in the report.

This image shows the results of compile-time recursion in the MATLAB Function report

Sometimes, the function specializations do not appear in the C/C++ code because of optimizations. For example, consider this function:

function y = foo()
%#codegen
    x = 10;
    y = sub(x);
end

function y = sub(x)
coder.inline('never');
if x > 1
    y = x + sub(x-1);
else
    y = x;
end
end

In the code generation report, on the Function List tab, you see the function specializations for MATLAB function sub.

This image shows the results in the MATLAB Function report for the function foo. The report also shows the function specializations for MATLAB function sub

However, the C code does not contain the specializations. It contains one function that returns the value 55.

Run-Time Recursion

With run-time recursion, the code generator produces a recursive function in the generated code. You can tell that the code generator used run-time recursion by looking at the code generation report or the generated C code. Here is an example of run-time recursion in the report.

This image shows an example of a run-time recursion in the report

Disallow Recursion

In a code generation configuration object, set the CompileTimeRecursionLimit configuration parameter to 0.
In the MATLAB Coder™ app, set the value of the Compile-time recursion limit setting to 0.

Disable Run-Time Recursion

Some coding standards, such as MISRA™, do not allow recursion. To increase the likelihood of generating code that is compliant with MISRA C™, disable run-time recursion.

In a code generation configuration object, set EnableRuntimeRecursion to false.
In the MATLAB Coder app, set Enable run-time recursion to No.

If your code requires run-time recursion and run-time recursion is disabled, you must rewrite your code so that it uses compile-time recursion or does not use recursion.

Recursive Function Limitations for Code Generation

When you use recursion in MATLAB code that is intended for code generation, follow these restrictions:

Assign all outputs of a run-time recursive function before the first recursive call in the function.
Assign all elements of cell array outputs of a run-time recursive function.
Inputs and outputs of run-time recursive functions cannot be classes.
The maximum stack usage setting is ignored for run-time recursion.