Thread: Help in understanding this recursive method

We are learning recursion in my intro to Java class, and I am having a hard time understanding how the method in the example given works. Any explanation as to what is happening when the method is called would be appreciated.

Here is the code:

public class Hanoi
 
private int n;
private int pegA;
private int pegB;
 
public Hanoi(int in_n, int in_pegA, int in_pegB)
{
    n = in_n;
    pegA = in_pegA;
    pegB = in_pegB;
}
 
public void makemoves()
{
    if (n==1)
        System.out.format("%d ==> %d%n", pegA, pegB)
    else
    { 
         int otherPeg = 6 - pegA - pegB; // 1 + 2 + 3 =6
         Hanoi firstmove = new Hanoi (n-1, pegA, otherPeg);
         firstmove.makemoves();
         System.out.format("%d ==> %d%n", pegA, pegB);
         Hanoi secondmove = new Hanoi (n-1, otherPeg, pegB);
         secondmove.makemoves();
    }
}
}

Cross-posted here. Most appreciate it if when you cross-post a question, you provide links to the cross-post so we can avoid duplicating effort that's already been exerted. We're volunteers and value our free time as much as you do.

@curmudgeon

Will do.

~~~~

So what order would the code execute in.

Obviously it would first run

Hanoi firstmove = new Hanoi (n-1, pegA, otherPeg);
         firstmove.makemoves();

but then would it run Hanoi firstmove = new Hanoi (n-1, pegA, otherPeg) again, or would it run System.out.print?