structural recursion

The process of transforming an expression by expressing its structure as a syntax tree and applying a certain transformation rule to each kind of node, starting from the top. Rules for non-leaf nodes will normally return a result which depends on applying the rules recursively to its sub-nodes. Examples include syntax analysis, code generation, abstract interpretation and program transformation.

This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)

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