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Python Introducing Lists Build an Application The Application

Recursion Error

I'm getting a recursion error when typing the 'help' command into the console. I have looked it over and can't tell a difference between my code and Craig's. Any ideas?

def show_help():
    print("What should we pick up at the store?")
    print("""
    Enter DONE to stop adding items.
    Enter HELP for this help.
    """)

    show_help()


while True:
    new_item = input("> ")

    if new_item == 'DONE':
        break
    elif new_item == 'HELP':
        show_help()
        continue

2 Answers

Chris Freeman
MOD
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,441 Points

The show_help function has a call to show_help() as the last line, This is causing the recursion (a function calling itself). Luckily it stops after ~1000 recursive calls with a raised exception, otherwise it would be infinite recursion.

Perhaps you've indented show_help() too far and did not intend for it to be inside the function.

Post back if you need more help. Good luck!

Thanks Chris, I'll give that a try.