The OP specifically said he didn't want the count. The count is easy to get without even using recursion. It's a simple Combination: 
C($num_objects-1, $num_containers-1)
= C(4, 2)
= 4! / (4-2)! / 2!
= (4*3) / (2*1)
= 6

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In reply to Re^3: x objects in y containers where all objects are used by ikegami
in thread x objects in y containers where all objects are used by Ectaris

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