maxStackElements

maxStackElements is a configuration parameter used in software systems to limit the number of elements that can be stored on a stack data structure. By bounding the stack depth, it helps prevent unbounded memory growth and can preserve performance and stability in environments that process nested or recursive operations.

When a push operation would exceed the configured limit, implementations typically report an overflow condition, throw an exception, or refuse the push. Some systems may allow dynamic resizing or alternative handling, while others enforce a hard cap that cannot be exceeded.

maxStackElements is commonly found in interpreters and virtual machines that evaluate expressions, backtracking algorithms, parsers, and undo/redo stacks. It may also appear in libraries that implement custom stack data structures for workflow engines, event processing, or scripting languages.

Choosing an appropriate value depends on available memory, the expected maximum depth of operations, and the acceptable risk of overflow. A value that is too small can cause frequent errors in normal workloads, while a very large value reduces the protective benefit and may permit excessive memory usage. In some implementations the limit is per-thread or per-context.

Related concepts include stack overflow, maximum call depth, and memory safety considerations when using stacks.