recursion
Say it: rih-KUR-shun /rɪˈkəːʃ(ə)n/ · noun
What “recursion” means
Solving something using a smaller version of the same problem.
More precisely: Defining or solving something in terms of a smaller version of itself.
When to use it
In computing or maths, when a method repeats itself on smaller problems until it reaches a simple stopping point.
Memory trick
Picture opening a box, finding a smaller box, and repeating until the last box.
Similar words
self-reference, nesting, repetition
Where it comes from
From Latin recurrere, 'to run back'.
Quick check
A program counts files by entering each folder and using the same counting method on folders inside. What technique is this?
recursion or repetition?
Show the answer
recursion
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