Need to break out of recursive function

[Bill Borg]

Hello,

I call a function recursively to find an item that exists *anywhere* down
the chain. Let's say I find it five layers deep. Now I've got what I need and
want to break out of that whole stack and continue execution at the point of
the initial call. Is that possible?

Thanks,

Bill

[Imran Koradia]

Re: Need to break out of recursive function

Do you mean skip the whole call stack? If that's the case, then AFAIK, you
can't do that. You'll have to follow the call stack back to the point of the
initial call. I believe the reason for this is the for each call to the
recursive method, the current stack frame within the runtime stack has a
pointer only to the previous stack frame from which this call was initiated
and knows nothing about any stack frames before that. As soon as the current
call returns, it returns to the address of the previous stack frame from
which this call was made.

hope that helps..
Imran.

"Bill Borg" <BillBorg@discu ssions.microsof t.com> wrote in message
news:5E1333EA-DD0D-4FCD-BD06-E34C1610CEB1@mi crosoft.com...[color=blue]
> Hello,
>
> I call a function recursively to find an item that exists *anywhere* down
> the chain. Let's say I find it five layers deep. Now I've got what I need[/color]
and[color=blue]
> want to break out of that whole stack and continue execution at the point[/color]
of[color=blue]
> the initial call. Is that possible?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bill[/color]

[Jay B. Harlow [MVP - Outlook]]

Re: Need to break out of recursive function

Bill,
Normally I have the function return a "found" indicator (a Boolean), when I
call it recursively if I find the item I exit the current item.

Something like
Public Function RecusiveFind(va lue As Object, theCurrentLevel ) As
Boolean
For Each item In theCurrentLevel
If item = value Then Return True
If RecusiveFind(va lue, item.Children) Then Return True
' keep looking at the current level
Next
Return False
End Function


"Bill Borg" <BillBorg@discu ssions.microsof t.com> wrote in message
news:5E1333EA-DD0D-4FCD-BD06-E34C1610CEB1@mi crosoft.com...[color=blue]
> Hello,
>
> I call a function recursively to find an item that exists *anywhere* down
> the chain. Let's say I find it five layers deep. Now I've got what I need
> and
> want to break out of that whole stack and continue execution at the point
> of
> the initial call. Is that possible?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bill[/color]

[Ken Dopierala Jr.]

Re: Need to break out of recursive function

Hi Imran,

You can add a global variable. Set it equal to False. Once you hit your
finish point set it to True and Exit Function. Then in the function,
directly after where it calls itself check this variable. If it is True
then Exit Function which will move you right back up the stack and out.
I've never tried using a static variable. I have no idea if that would
work, hmmmm I'll have to try it. Good luck! Ken.

--
Ken Dopierala Jr.
For great ASP.Net web hosting try:

http://www.webhost4life.com/default.asp?refid=Spinlight

If you sign up under me and have problems, email me.

"Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
news:Og0cGsypEH A.536@TK2MSFTNG P09.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Do you mean skip the whole call stack? If that's the case, then AFAIK, you
> can't do that. You'll have to follow the call stack back to the point of[/color]
the[color=blue]
> initial call. I believe the reason for this is the for each call to the
> recursive method, the current stack frame within the runtime stack has a
> pointer only to the previous stack frame from which this call was[/color]
initiated[color=blue]
> and knows nothing about any stack frames before that. As soon as the[/color]
current[color=blue]
> call returns, it returns to the address of the previous stack frame from
> which this call was made.
>
> hope that helps..
> Imran.
>
> "Bill Borg" <BillBorg@discu ssions.microsof t.com> wrote in message
> news:5E1333EA-DD0D-4FCD-BD06-E34C1610CEB1@mi crosoft.com...[color=green]
> > Hello,
> >
> > I call a function recursively to find an item that exists *anywhere*[/color][/color]
down[color=blue][color=green]
> > the chain. Let's say I find it five layers deep. Now I've got what I[/color][/color]
need[color=blue]
> and[color=green]
> > want to break out of that whole stack and continue execution at the[/color][/color]
point[color=blue]
> of[color=green]
> > the initial call. Is that possible?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Bill[/color]
>
>[/color]

[Greg Burns]

Re: Need to break out of recursive function

Why a global variable? Couldn't you just pass your boolean variable as one
of the parameters of the recursive function. In fact, isn't this how you
create a recursive function???

Greg

"Ken Dopierala Jr." <kdopierala2@wi .rr.com> wrote in message
news:%23xsDNKzp EHA.4004@TK2MSF TNGP10.phx.gbl. ..[color=blue]
> Hi Imran,
>
> You can add a global variable. Set it equal to False. Once you hit your
> finish point set it to True and Exit Function. Then in the function,
> directly after where it calls itself check this variable. If it is True
> then Exit Function which will move you right back up the stack and out.
> I've never tried using a static variable. I have no idea if that would
> work, hmmmm I'll have to try it. Good luck! Ken.
>
> --
> Ken Dopierala Jr.
> For great ASP.Net web hosting try:
> http://www.webhost4life.com/default.asp?refid=Spinlight
> If you sign up under me and have problems, email me.
>
> "Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
> news:Og0cGsypEH A.536@TK2MSFTNG P09.phx.gbl...[color=green]
>> Do you mean skip the whole call stack? If that's the case, then AFAIK,
>> you
>> can't do that. You'll have to follow the call stack back to the point of[/color]
> the[color=green]
>> initial call. I believe the reason for this is the for each call to the
>> recursive method, the current stack frame within the runtime stack has a
>> pointer only to the previous stack frame from which this call was[/color]
> initiated[color=green]
>> and knows nothing about any stack frames before that. As soon as the[/color]
> current[color=green]
>> call returns, it returns to the address of the previous stack frame from
>> which this call was made.
>>
>> hope that helps..
>> Imran.
>>
>> "Bill Borg" <BillBorg@discu ssions.microsof t.com> wrote in message
>> news:5E1333EA-DD0D-4FCD-BD06-E34C1610CEB1@mi crosoft.com...[color=darkred]
>> > Hello,
>> >
>> > I call a function recursively to find an item that exists *anywhere*[/color][/color]
> down[color=green][color=darkred]
>> > the chain. Let's say I find it five layers deep. Now I've got what I[/color][/color]
> need[color=green]
>> and[color=darkred]
>> > want to break out of that whole stack and continue execution at the[/color][/color]
> point[color=green]
>> of[color=darkred]
>> > the initial call. Is that possible?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Bill[/color]
>>
>>[/color]
>
>[/color]

[Imran Koradia]

Re: Need to break out of recursive function

Right - I understand that. But you're still going to be checking that
variable for each recursive call that you made. Ofcourse, you can avoid the
code after the recursive call within the method. But you're still going to
pass through the entire call stack back to the initial call. There's no way
you can skip the call stack. Or am I missing something?

Imran.

"Ken Dopierala Jr." <kdopierala2@wi .rr.com> wrote in message
news:%23xsDNKzp EHA.4004@TK2MSF TNGP10.phx.gbl. ..[color=blue]
> Hi Imran,
>
> You can add a global variable. Set it equal to False. Once you hit your
> finish point set it to True and Exit Function. Then in the function,
> directly after where it calls itself check this variable. If it is True
> then Exit Function which will move you right back up the stack and out.
> I've never tried using a static variable. I have no idea if that would
> work, hmmmm I'll have to try it. Good luck! Ken.
>
> --
> Ken Dopierala Jr.
> For great ASP.Net web hosting try:
> http://www.webhost4life.com/default.asp?refid=Spinlight
> If you sign up under me and have problems, email me.
>
> "Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
> news:Og0cGsypEH A.536@TK2MSFTNG P09.phx.gbl...[color=green]
> > Do you mean skip the whole call stack? If that's the case, then AFAIK,[/color][/color]
you[color=blue][color=green]
> > can't do that. You'll have to follow the call stack back to the point of[/color]
> the[color=green]
> > initial call. I believe the reason for this is the for each call to the
> > recursive method, the current stack frame within the runtime stack has a
> > pointer only to the previous stack frame from which this call was[/color]
> initiated[color=green]
> > and knows nothing about any stack frames before that. As soon as the[/color]
> current[color=green]
> > call returns, it returns to the address of the previous stack frame from
> > which this call was made.
> >
> > hope that helps..
> > Imran.
> >
> > "Bill Borg" <BillBorg@discu ssions.microsof t.com> wrote in message
> > news:5E1333EA-DD0D-4FCD-BD06-E34C1610CEB1@mi crosoft.com...[color=darkred]
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I call a function recursively to find an item that exists *anywhere*[/color][/color]
> down[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > the chain. Let's say I find it five layers deep. Now I've got what I[/color][/color]
> need[color=green]
> > and[color=darkred]
> > > want to break out of that whole stack and continue execution at the[/color][/color]
> point[color=green]
> > of[color=darkred]
> > > the initial call. Is that possible?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Bill[/color]
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

[Guest]

Re: Need to break out of recursive function

You could kill the whole stack by throwing an exception :-)

--
Jonathan Bailey.

"Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
news:eL%23gqOzp EHA.868@TK2MSFT NGP10.phx.gbl.. .[color=blue]
> Right - I understand that. But you're still going to be checking that
> variable for each recursive call that you made. Ofcourse, you can avoid[/color]
the[color=blue]
> code after the recursive call within the method. But you're still going to
> pass through the entire call stack back to the initial call. There's no[/color]
way[color=blue]
> you can skip the call stack. Or am I missing something?
>
> Imran.
>
> "Ken Dopierala Jr." <kdopierala2@wi .rr.com> wrote in message
> news:%23xsDNKzp EHA.4004@TK2MSF TNGP10.phx.gbl. ..[color=green]
> > Hi Imran,
> >
> > You can add a global variable. Set it equal to False. Once you hit[/color][/color]
your[color=blue][color=green]
> > finish point set it to True and Exit Function. Then in the function,
> > directly after where it calls itself check this variable. If it is True
> > then Exit Function which will move you right back up the stack and out.
> > I've never tried using a static variable. I have no idea if that would
> > work, hmmmm I'll have to try it. Good luck! Ken.
> >
> > --
> > Ken Dopierala Jr.
> > For great ASP.Net web hosting try:
> > http://www.webhost4life.com/default.asp?refid=Spinlight
> > If you sign up under me and have problems, email me.
> >
> > "Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
> > news:Og0cGsypEH A.536@TK2MSFTNG P09.phx.gbl...[color=darkred]
> > > Do you mean skip the whole call stack? If that's the case, then AFAIK,[/color][/color]
> you[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > can't do that. You'll have to follow the call stack back to the point[/color][/color][/color]
of[color=blue][color=green]
> > the[color=darkred]
> > > initial call. I believe the reason for this is the for each call to[/color][/color][/color]
the[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > recursive method, the current stack frame within the runtime stack has[/color][/color][/color]
a[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > pointer only to the previous stack frame from which this call was[/color]
> > initiated[color=darkred]
> > > and knows nothing about any stack frames before that. As soon as the[/color]
> > current[color=darkred]
> > > call returns, it returns to the address of the previous stack frame[/color][/color][/color]
from[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > which this call was made.
> > >
> > > hope that helps..
> > > Imran.
> > >
> > > "Bill Borg" <BillBorg@discu ssions.microsof t.com> wrote in message
> > > news:5E1333EA-DD0D-4FCD-BD06-E34C1610CEB1@mi crosoft.com...
> > > > Hello,
> > > >
> > > > I call a function recursively to find an item that exists *anywhere*[/color]
> > down[color=darkred]
> > > > the chain. Let's say I find it five layers deep. Now I've got what I[/color]
> > need[color=darkred]
> > > and
> > > > want to break out of that whole stack and continue execution at the[/color]
> > point[color=darkred]
> > > of
> > > > the initial call. Is that possible?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > Bill
> > >
> > >[/color]
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

[Imran Koradia]

Re: Need to break out of recursive function

Well - even when an exception is thrown, the runtime searches up the call
stack to look for an appropriate exception handler which means its still
going to be travelling up the call stack. However, I'm not sure how the
runtime handles exceptions for recursive procedures - is it even aware that
its a recursive call? If so, it could just check once whether the procedure
has an exception handler and if not, it could skip the entire stack sequence
for the recursion and jump right back to the initial calling method. But I
doubt that..I could be wrong though..

Imran.

<jb> wrote in message news:415d1ca8$0 $17289$afc38c87 @news.easynet.c o.uk...[color=blue]
> You could kill the whole stack by throwing an exception :-)
>
> --
> Jonathan Bailey.
>
> "Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
> news:eL%23gqOzp EHA.868@TK2MSFT NGP10.phx.gbl.. .[color=green]
> > Right - I understand that. But you're still going to be checking that
> > variable for each recursive call that you made. Ofcourse, you can avoid[/color]
> the[color=green]
> > code after the recursive call within the method. But you're still going[/color][/color]
to[color=blue][color=green]
> > pass through the entire call stack back to the initial call. There's no[/color]
> way[color=green]
> > you can skip the call stack. Or am I missing something?
> >
> > Imran.
> >
> > "Ken Dopierala Jr." <kdopierala2@wi .rr.com> wrote in message
> > news:%23xsDNKzp EHA.4004@TK2MSF TNGP10.phx.gbl. ..[color=darkred]
> > > Hi Imran,
> > >
> > > You can add a global variable. Set it equal to False. Once you hit[/color][/color]
> your[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > finish point set it to True and Exit Function. Then in the function,
> > > directly after where it calls itself check this variable. If it is[/color][/color][/color]
True[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > then Exit Function which will move you right back up the stack and[/color][/color][/color]
out.[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > I've never tried using a static variable. I have no idea if that[/color][/color][/color]
would[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > work, hmmmm I'll have to try it. Good luck! Ken.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Ken Dopierala Jr.
> > > For great ASP.Net web hosting try:
> > > http://www.webhost4life.com/default.asp?refid=Spinlight
> > > If you sign up under me and have problems, email me.
> > >
> > > "Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
> > > news:Og0cGsypEH A.536@TK2MSFTNG P09.phx.gbl...
> > > > Do you mean skip the whole call stack? If that's the case, then[/color][/color][/color]
AFAIK,[color=blue][color=green]
> > you[color=darkred]
> > > > can't do that. You'll have to follow the call stack back to the[/color][/color][/color]
point[color=blue]
> of[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > the
> > > > initial call. I believe the reason for this is the for each call to[/color][/color]
> the[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > recursive method, the current stack frame within the runtime stack[/color][/color][/color]
has[color=blue]
> a[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > pointer only to the previous stack frame from which this call was
> > > initiated
> > > > and knows nothing about any stack frames before that. As soon as the
> > > current
> > > > call returns, it returns to the address of the previous stack frame[/color][/color]
> from[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > which this call was made.
> > > >
> > > > hope that helps..
> > > > Imran.
> > > >
> > > > "Bill Borg" <BillBorg@discu ssions.microsof t.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:5E1333EA-DD0D-4FCD-BD06-E34C1610CEB1@mi crosoft.com...
> > > > > Hello,
> > > > >
> > > > > I call a function recursively to find an item that exists[/color][/color][/color]
*anywhere*[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > down
> > > > > the chain. Let's say I find it five layers deep. Now I've got what[/color][/color][/color]
I[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > need
> > > > and
> > > > > want to break out of that whole stack and continue execution at[/color][/color][/color]
the[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > point
> > > > of
> > > > > the initial call. Is that possible?
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks,
> > > > >
> > > > > Bill
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >[/color]
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

[Guest]

Re: Need to break out of recursive function

I was joking of course :-)
I cant find in the MS website where exceptions are defined but I expect vb
creates a try,catch block around any function which might throw one which
then passes it to the previous caller.
It just 'looks like' you are skipping up the stack in the source code.

--
Jonathan Bailey.

"Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
news:%23BLo3h7p EHA.3988@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..[color=blue]
> Well - even when an exception is thrown, the runtime searches up the call
> stack to look for an appropriate exception handler which means its still
> going to be travelling up the call stack. However, I'm not sure how the
> runtime handles exceptions for recursive procedures - is it even aware[/color]
that[color=blue]
> its a recursive call? If so, it could just check once whether the[/color]
procedure[color=blue]
> has an exception handler and if not, it could skip the entire stack[/color]
sequence[color=blue]
> for the recursion and jump right back to the initial calling method. But I
> doubt that..I could be wrong though..
>
> Imran.
>
> <jb> wrote in message news:415d1ca8$0 $17289$afc38c87 @news.easynet.c o.uk...[color=green]
> > You could kill the whole stack by throwing an exception :-)
> >
> > --
> > Jonathan Bailey.
> >
> > "Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
> > news:eL%23gqOzp EHA.868@TK2MSFT NGP10.phx.gbl.. .[color=darkred]
> > > Right - I understand that. But you're still going to be checking that
> > > variable for each recursive call that you made. Ofcourse, you can[/color][/color][/color]
avoid[color=blue][color=green]
> > the[color=darkred]
> > > code after the recursive call within the method. But you're still[/color][/color][/color]
going[color=blue]
> to[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > pass through the entire call stack back to the initial call. There's[/color][/color][/color]
no[color=blue][color=green]
> > way[color=darkred]
> > > you can skip the call stack. Or am I missing something?
> > >
> > > Imran.
> > >
> > > "Ken Dopierala Jr." <kdopierala2@wi .rr.com> wrote in message
> > > news:%23xsDNKzp EHA.4004@TK2MSF TNGP10.phx.gbl. ..
> > > > Hi Imran,
> > > >
> > > > You can add a global variable. Set it equal to False. Once you hit[/color]
> > your[color=darkred]
> > > > finish point set it to True and Exit Function. Then in the[/color][/color][/color]
function,[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > directly after where it calls itself check this variable. If it is[/color][/color]
> True[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > then Exit Function which will move you right back up the stack and[/color][/color]
> out.[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > I've never tried using a static variable. I have no idea if that[/color][/color]
> would[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > work, hmmmm I'll have to try it. Good luck! Ken.
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Ken Dopierala Jr.
> > > > For great ASP.Net web hosting try:
> > > > http://www.webhost4life.com/default.asp?refid=Spinlight
> > > > If you sign up under me and have problems, email me.
> > > >
> > > > "Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:Og0cGsypEH A.536@TK2MSFTNG P09.phx.gbl...
> > > > > Do you mean skip the whole call stack? If that's the case, then[/color][/color]
> AFAIK,[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > you
> > > > > can't do that. You'll have to follow the call stack back to the[/color][/color]
> point[color=green]
> > of[color=darkred]
> > > > the
> > > > > initial call. I believe the reason for this is the for each call[/color][/color][/color]
to[color=blue][color=green]
> > the[color=darkred]
> > > > > recursive method, the current stack frame within the runtime stack[/color][/color]
> has[color=green]
> > a[color=darkred]
> > > > > pointer only to the previous stack frame from which this call was
> > > > initiated
> > > > > and knows nothing about any stack frames before that. As soon as[/color][/color][/color]
the[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > current
> > > > > call returns, it returns to the address of the previous stack[/color][/color][/color]
frame[color=blue][color=green]
> > from[color=darkred]
> > > > > which this call was made.
> > > > >
> > > > > hope that helps..
> > > > > Imran.
> > > > >
> > > > > "Bill Borg" <BillBorg@discu ssions.microsof t.com> wrote in message
> > > > > news:5E1333EA-DD0D-4FCD-BD06-E34C1610CEB1@mi crosoft.com...
> > > > > > Hello,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I call a function recursively to find an item that exists[/color][/color]
> *anywhere*[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > down
> > > > > > the chain. Let's say I find it five layers deep. Now I've got[/color][/color][/color]
what[color=blue]
> I[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > need
> > > > > and
> > > > > > want to break out of that whole stack and continue execution at[/color][/color]
> the[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > point
> > > > > of
> > > > > > the initial call. Is that possible?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Bill
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >[/color]
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]

[Imran Koradia]

Re: Need to break out of recursive function

lol :)
yeah - I couldn't find anything either but considering how exception
handling works in java, I bet that's how it works.

Imran.

<jb> wrote in message news:415d6b55$0 $17366$afc38c87 @news.easynet.c o.uk...[color=blue]
> I was joking of course :-)
> I cant find in the MS website where exceptions are defined but I expect vb
> creates a try,catch block around any function which might throw one which
> then passes it to the previous caller.
> It just 'looks like' you are skipping up the stack in the source code.
>
> --
> Jonathan Bailey.
>
> "Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
> news:%23BLo3h7p EHA.3988@tk2msf tngp13.phx.gbl. ..[color=green]
> > Well - even when an exception is thrown, the runtime searches up the[/color][/color]
call[color=blue][color=green]
> > stack to look for an appropriate exception handler which means its still
> > going to be travelling up the call stack. However, I'm not sure how the
> > runtime handles exceptions for recursive procedures - is it even aware[/color]
> that[color=green]
> > its a recursive call? If so, it could just check once whether the[/color]
> procedure[color=green]
> > has an exception handler and if not, it could skip the entire stack[/color]
> sequence[color=green]
> > for the recursion and jump right back to the initial calling method. But[/color][/color]
I[color=blue][color=green]
> > doubt that..I could be wrong though..
> >
> > Imran.
> >
> > <jb> wrote in message[/color][/color]
news:415d1ca8$0 $17289$afc38c87 @news.easynet.c o.uk...[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > You could kill the whole stack by throwing an exception :-)
> > >
> > > --
> > > Jonathan Bailey.
> > >
> > > "Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
> > > news:eL%23gqOzp EHA.868@TK2MSFT NGP10.phx.gbl.. .
> > > > Right - I understand that. But you're still going to be checking[/color][/color][/color]
that[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > variable for each recursive call that you made. Ofcourse, you can[/color][/color]
> avoid[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > the
> > > > code after the recursive call within the method. But you're still[/color][/color]
> going[color=green]
> > to[color=darkred]
> > > > pass through the entire call stack back to the initial call. There's[/color][/color]
> no[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > way
> > > > you can skip the call stack. Or am I missing something?
> > > >
> > > > Imran.
> > > >
> > > > "Ken Dopierala Jr." <kdopierala2@wi .rr.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:%23xsDNKzp EHA.4004@TK2MSF TNGP10.phx.gbl. ..
> > > > > Hi Imran,
> > > > >
> > > > > You can add a global variable. Set it equal to False. Once you[/color][/color][/color]
hit[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > your
> > > > > finish point set it to True and Exit Function. Then in the[/color][/color]
> function,[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > > directly after where it calls itself check this variable. If it[/color][/color][/color]
is[color=blue][color=green]
> > True[color=darkred]
> > > > > then Exit Function which will move you right back up the stack and[/color]
> > out.[color=darkred]
> > > > > I've never tried using a static variable. I have no idea if that[/color]
> > would[color=darkred]
> > > > > work, hmmmm I'll have to try it. Good luck! Ken.
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > Ken Dopierala Jr.
> > > > > For great ASP.Net web hosting try:
> > > > > http://www.webhost4life.com/default.asp?refid=Spinlight
> > > > > If you sign up under me and have problems, email me.
> > > > >
> > > > > "Imran Koradia" <nospam@microso ft.com> wrote in message
> > > > > news:Og0cGsypEH A.536@TK2MSFTNG P09.phx.gbl...
> > > > > > Do you mean skip the whole call stack? If that's the case, then[/color]
> > AFAIK,[color=darkred]
> > > > you
> > > > > > can't do that. You'll have to follow the call stack back to the[/color]
> > point[color=darkred]
> > > of
> > > > > the
> > > > > > initial call. I believe the reason for this is the for each call[/color][/color]
> to[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > the
> > > > > > recursive method, the current stack frame within the runtime[/color][/color][/color]
stack[color=blue][color=green]
> > has[color=darkred]
> > > a
> > > > > > pointer only to the previous stack frame from which this call[/color][/color][/color]
was[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > > initiated
> > > > > > and knows nothing about any stack frames before that. As soon as[/color][/color]
> the[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > > current
> > > > > > call returns, it returns to the address of the previous stack[/color][/color]
> frame[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > from
> > > > > > which this call was made.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > hope that helps..
> > > > > > Imran.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "Bill Borg" <BillBorg@discu ssions.microsof t.com> wrote in[/color][/color][/color]
message[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> > > > > > news:5E1333EA-DD0D-4FCD-BD06-E34C1610CEB1@mi crosoft.com...
> > > > > > > Hello,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I call a function recursively to find an item that exists[/color]
> > *anywhere*[color=darkred]
> > > > > down
> > > > > > > the chain. Let's say I find it five layers deep. Now I've got[/color][/color]
> what[color=green]
> > I[color=darkred]
> > > > > need
> > > > > > and
> > > > > > > want to break out of that whole stack and continue execution[/color][/color][/color]
at[color=blue][color=green]
> > the[color=darkred]
> > > > > point
> > > > > > of
> > > > > > > the initial call. Is that possible?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thanks,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Bill
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >[/color]
> >
> >[/color]
>
>[/color]