How can I increase the maximum call stack size in Node.js

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node.js Problem Overview


This is different to other questions regarding an error message in Node that reads RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded in that I know exactly why I'm getting this error message. It's happening because I'm recursing, recursing quite a lot in fact.

Thanks.

node.js Solutions


Solution 1 - node.js

From node --help:

node --max-stack-size=val

Update: as the comments indicate, even though the help text still lists the --max-stack-size option, in node v0.10.x you need to use --stack-size instead.

node --stack-size=val

Solution 2 - node.js

In node version 5 and 6, I have verified that the option to set maximum stack size is "--stack_size" (with an underscore):

$  node --v8-options
[...]
--stack_size (default size of stack region v8 is allowed to use (in kBytes))
      type: int  default: 984

To increase the maximum stack size, just issue something like:

$ node --stack_size=1200

As noted by others, be aware that increasing this value may lead to a segmentation fault. The maximum safe value for me with version 6 is 1361, but seems higher with version 5.

Looking at the bigger picture, increasing stack size may not solve all your issues. When writing recursive functions in node, your best strategy is to write them in a tail-recursive manner, since version 6 supports proper tail calls. This will eliminate stack size overflows.

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Content TypeOriginal AuthorOriginal Content on Stackoverflow
Questionthomas-peterView Question on Stackoverflow
Solution 1 - node.jsJohnnyHKView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 2 - node.jsFlorent AnglyView Answer on Stackoverflow