What does recursion in programming mean?

Recursion in programming refers to a specific technique where a function calls itself in order to solve a problem. This approach breaks down complex problems into simpler, more manageable sub-problems, each of which can be solved with the same recursive function.

The beauty of recursion lies in its ability to simplify code and reduce the need for explicit loops, as the function performs its calculations through self-referential calls. This method is especially useful in scenarios such as traversing data structures (like trees or graphs), calculating factorials, or solving problems like the Fibonacci sequence.

The self-calling nature of recursion allows programmers to create elegant solutions for problems that have a repetitive structure. However, it's important to ensure that recursive functions have a base case to prevent infinite loops, as failing to do so can lead to stack overflow errors due to excessive function calls.

By understanding recursion, developers can leverage this powerful tool to write more concise and effective code for suitable problems.