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Conditionals and Recursion2 | PDF | Computer Programming | Python (Programming Language)
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Conditionals and Recursion2

The document discusses two programming concepts: recursive functions for countdown and countup operations, and error handling for division by zero in Python. It emphasizes the importance of recursion in controlling flow and the necessity of using try-except blocks to manage runtime errors, particularly ZeroDivisionError. Proper error handling enhances user experience and software reliability, as unhandled errors can lead to program crashes and data loss.

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6 views6 pages

Conditionals and Recursion2

The document discusses two programming concepts: recursive functions for countdown and countup operations, and error handling for division by zero in Python. It emphasizes the importance of recursion in controlling flow and the necessity of using try-except blocks to manage runtime errors, particularly ZeroDivisionError. Proper error handling enhances user experience and software reliability, as unhandled errors can lead to program crashes and data loss.

Uploaded by

stardecos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit 3: Programming Assignment: Conditionals and Recursion

BUS 3305-01 Business Law and Ethics - AY2025-T5

Question 1: Recursive Countup and Countdown Function

Explanation
Recursive functions are valuable programming resources, particularly for problems

involving repetitive or sequential logic. A good example is the countdown function in Think

Python (Downey, 2015), which is a model of recursion where a function continues to call

itself with a modified argument until a base case is reached.

Along with countdown, we have a countup function. While countdown operates on

positive numbers by decrementing to zero, countup operates on negative numbers by

incrementing to zero. Both have uses of conditional statements and recursion in controlling

flow.

For symmetry, if we input zero, we prefer to invoke the countdown function directly

because it leads directly to the base case (n <= 0) and prints out "Blastoff!". The option

avoids unnecessary branching in the code and follows the textbook example (Downey, 2015,

p. 46).

Code: countup and countdown

Output Examples

Input: 3
Input: -3

Input: 0

Question 2: Handling Division by Zero in Python

Explanation

Division by zero is also one of the most common runtime programming faults. If left

unhandled, it causes program crash, hence leading to an inferior quality of user experience

and even system crash. This necessitates error handling through techniques such as try-except

blocks.

In Python, attempting to divide an integer by zero raises a ZeroDivisionError. These

endless exceptions can be put in such a "try" block, and, in case they occur, the program

gracefully responds with an error message rather than crashing.


Proper error handling is even more important for user interface programs and

applications that manipulate critical data. If left unhandled, it can cause data loss, strange

behavior, or security holes (Downey, 2015, p. 52).

Code: Division with Error Handling

Runtime Error Demonstration (Without Handling)

Code Without Try-Except:

Input:

Output:

Traceback (most recent call last):


File "division.py", line 3, in <module>
result = numerator / denominator
ZeroDivisionError: float division by zero
Significance of Error Handling

Division by zero cases probably best exemplify a great need for error handling in

programming. Left unhandled, these errors will cause abrupt termination of the execution,

something that is unacceptable in production. In foreseeing scenarios that may arise and using

structured exception handling, programmers make software more reliable, usable, and

maintainable.

Clear error messages help the user understand what went wrong and how to fix it,

thereby creating a better user experience. According to Downey (2015), programming is act

of dealing with inputs that are correct and those that are not, and steering the flow of the

program accordingly.
Reference

Downey, A. (2015). Think Python: How to think like a computer scientist. Green Tree Press.

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