stackoverflow.js

var list = readHugeList();

var nextListItem = function() {
    var item = list.pop();

    if (item) {
        // process the list item...
        nextListItem();
    }
};


// write this as  below to avoid stack overflow by having event loop concept
var list = readHugeList();
var nextListItem = function() {
    var item = list.pop();

    if (item) {
        // process the list item...
        setTimeout( nextListItem, 0);
    }
};



/** Explanation
 * The stack overflow is eliminated because the event loop handles the recursion, 
 * not the call stack. When nextListItem runs, if item is not null, the timeout 
 * function (nextListItem) is pushed to the event queue and the function exits, 
 * thereby leaving the call stack clear. When the event queue runs its timed-out event, 
 * the next item is processed and a timer is set to again invoke nextListItem. 
 * Accordingly, the method is processed from start to finish without a direct recursive call, 
 * so the call stack remains clear, regardless of the number of iterations.
 */