In principle, recursion is never necessary. It can always be replaced by an iterative construct, such as while or until. Rewrite makepath (page 502) as a nonrecursive function. Which version do you prefer? Why?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

function makepath2()
{
wd=$(pwd)
pathname=$1
while [[ $pathname = */* && ${#pathname} > 0 ]]
do
if [[ ! -d "${pathname%%/*}" ]]
then
mkdir "${pathname%%/*}"
fi
cd "${pathname%%/*}"
pathname="${pathname#*/}"
done
if [[ ! -d $pathname && ${#pathname} > 0 ]]
then
mkdir $pathname
fi
cd $wd
}

The recursive version is simpler: There is no need to keep track of the work-
ing directory and you do not have to handle the task of making the final
directory separately.