What is typically a disadvantage of recursive functions?

Recursive functions can often consume excessive memory and processing time due to the nature of their operation. Each time a recursive function calls itself, it adds a new layer to the call stack, which is a data structure that tracks function calls in a program. If there are many levels of recursion, especially in cases where the base case (the condition that stops the recursion) is not reached quickly, this can lead to significant memory use.

Moreover, each call requires additional processing to manage the state of the function, which can lead to increased execution time. This is particularly evident in cases where the recursion depth becomes very large, possibly leading to a stack overflow if there are too many recursive calls without a sufficiently conclusive base case. Therefore, while recursion can simplify problems conceptually and lead to elegant solutions, it is important to be mindful of its potential to use resources inefficiently.