[javascript] "RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded" Why?

If I run

Array.apply(null, new Array(1000000)).map(Math.random);

on Chrome 33, I get

RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded

Why?

Here it fails at Array.apply(null, new Array(1000000)) and not the .map call.

All functions arguments must fit on callstack(at least pointers of each argument), so in this they are too many arguments for the callstack.

You need to the understand what is call stack.

Stack is a LIFO data structure, which is like an array that only supports push and pop methods.

Let me explain how it works by a simple example:

function a(var1, var2) {
    var3 = 3;
    b(5, 6);
    c(var1, var2);
}
function b(var5, var6) {
    c(7, 8);
}
function c(var7, var8) {
}

When here function a is called, it will call b and c. When b and c are called, the local variables of a are not accessible there because of scoping roles of Javascript, but the Javascript engine must remember the local variables and arguments, so it will push them into the callstack. Let's say you are implementing a JavaScript engine with the Javascript language like Narcissus.

We implement the callStack as array:

var callStack = [];

Everytime a function called we push the local variables into the stack:

callStack.push(currentLocalVaraibles);

Once the function call is finished(like in a, we have called b, b is finished executing and we must return to a), we get back the local variables by poping the stack:

currentLocalVaraibles = callStack.pop();

So when in a we want to call c again, push the local variables in the stack. Now as you know, compilers to be efficient define some limits. Here when you are doing Array.apply(null, new Array(1000000)), your currentLocalVariables object will be huge because it will have 1000000 variables inside. Since .apply will pass each of the given array element as an argument to the function. Once pushed to the call stack this will exceed the memory limit of call stack and it will throw that error.

Same error happens on infinite recursion(function a() { a() }) as too many times, stuff has been pushed to the call stack.

Note that I'm not a compiler engineer and this is just a simplified representation of what's going on. It really is more complex than this. Generally what is pushed to callstack is called stack frame which contains the arguments, local variables and the function address.

The answer with for is correct, but if you really want to use functional style avoiding for statement - you can use the following instead of your expression:

Array.from(Array(1000000), () => Math.random());

The Array.from() method creates a new Array instance from an array-like or iterable object. The second argument of this method is a map function to call on every element of the array.

Following the same idea you can rewrite it using ES2015 Spread operator:

[...Array(1000000)].map(() => Math.random())

In both examples you can get an index of the iteration if you need, for example:

[...Array(1000000)].map((_, i) => i + Math.random())

You first need to understand Call Stack. Understanding Call stack will also give you clarity to how "function hierarchy and execution order" works in JavaScript Engine.

The call stack is primarily used for function invocation (call). Since there is only one call stack. Hence, all function(s) execution get pushed and popped one at a time, from top to bottom.

It means the call stack is synchronous. When you enter a function, an entry for that function is pushed onto the Call stack and when you exit from the function, that same entry is popped from the Call Stack. So, basically if everything is running smooth, then at the very beginning and at the end, Call Stack will be found empty.

Here is the illustration of Call Stack:

Now, if you provide too many arguments or caught inside any unhandled recursive call. You will encounter

RangeError: Maximum call stack size exceeded

which is quite obvious as explained by others.

Hope this helps !