RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded in JavaScript

RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded in JavaScript #

The "RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded" error occurs when a function is called so many times that the invocations exceed the call stack limit. To solve the error, specify a base case that has to be met to exit the recursion.

Here's an example of how the error occurs.

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function example() {
  // ⛔️ RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded
  example();
}

example();

We call the function, which then calls itself until the call stack limit is exceeded.

To solve the error, specify a condition at which the function stops calling itself.

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let counter = 0;

function example(num) {
  if (num < 0) {
    return; // 👈️ this stops the function from endlessly calling itself
  }

  counter += 1;
  example(num - 1);
}

example(4);

console.log(counter); // 👉️ 5

This time we check if the function was invoked with a number that is less than 0 on every invocation.

If the number is less than 0, we simply return from the function so we don't exceed the call stack's limit.

If the passed in value is not less than zero, we call the function with the passed in value minus 1. This keeps us moving towards the case where the if check is satisfied.

You might also get this error if you have an infinite loop that calls a function somewhere.

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function sum(a, b) {
  return a + b;
}

while (true) {
  sum(10, 10);
}

This works in a very similar way to a function calling itself without a base condition. The same would be the case if you were using a for loop.

Here's an example of how to specify a condition that has to be met to exit the loop.

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function sum(a, b) {
  return a + b;
}

let total = 0;

for (let i = 10; i > 0; i--) {
  total += sum(5, 5);
}

console.log(total); // 👉️ 100

If the i variable is equal to or less than 0, the condition in the for loop is not satisfied, so we exit the loop.

If you can't track exactly where your error occurs, look at the error message in your browser's console or your terminal (if using Node.js).

The screenshot above shows that the error occurred on line 25 in the index.js file.

You can check which scripts are loaded on your page by opening the Network tab in your browser's developer tools and refreshing the page.

Conclusion #

The "RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded" error occurs when a function is called so many times that the invocations exceed the call stack limit. To solve the error, specify a base case that has to be met to exit the recursion.