How can I prevent `StackOverflowError` in my Java applications?

To prevent `StackOverflowError`, ensure that all recursive methods have a proper and reachable base case that terminates the recursion. For algorithms that naturally lead to very deep calls, consider refactoring the code to use an iterative approach (e.g., loops with explicit data structures like a stack or queue) instead of recursion. As a last resort, if deep recursion is truly unavoidable and well-bounded, you might increase the JVM's stack size using the `-Xss` command-line option, but this often masks an underlying design issue.