Python recursive function doesn't return anything what to do

Question

hi I wrote the code below, i was expecting the function to return 8 but somehow this function doesn't return any value at all, is there a way to modify this function so it can return some value? (please still use a recursive function). Also it would be much appreciated if you can let me know why this problem occurred.

Thanks!

 def recursive(left):
    if left<=7:
        left+=1
        recursive(left)
                      
    else:
        return left

recursive(0)

You are missing `return` when calling `recursion` on line 4. — shahkalpesh, Feb 21 '21 at 13:59

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 21 '21 at 14:00

3

When you call the function you should use the return to get the result back to the called function.

def recursive(left):
    if left<=7:
        left+=1
        return recursive(left)
                      
    else:
        return left

answered Feb 21 '21 at 14:00

Sivaram Rasathurai

5,533
3
22
45

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 21 '21 at 14:01

1

It should be

def recursive(left):
    if left<=7:
        left+=1
        return recursive(left)
                      
    else:
        return left

recursive(0)

answered Feb 21 '21 at 14:01

user3431635

372
1
7

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 21 '21 at 14:02

0

After the recursive(left) the function ends, so it has an implicit return None there.

answered Feb 21 '21 at 14:02

gkimbar

11
2

Python recursive function doesn't return anything what to do

3 Answers3