[java] Unconditional Recursion

[numeralnathan]

Proposed Rule Name: UnconditionalRecursion

Proposed Category: Bug

Description:

Please create a rule that flags a problem for recursive calls that do not have a condition.

Code Sample:

The following code will cause a StackOverflowError.

void sum(int count)
{
   return sum(count - 1);
}

The following code may still cause a StackOverflowError depending on the parameter but if the parameter is not too large then it will terminate. However, since there is a condition, then this is "correct" code.

void sum(int count)
{
   if (count > 0)
      return sum(count - 1);

   return 0;
}

Possible Properties:

Can you think of some properties?

[linusjf]

Adding links for perspective:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Power_of_10:_Rules_for_Developing_Safety-Critical_Code

https://rules.sonarsource.com/c/RSPEC-925