Introduction to Recursive Programming

CHAPTER 1

Basic Concepts of Recursive Programming

To iterate is human, to recurse divine.

—Laurence Peter Deutsch

RECURSION is a broad concept that is used in diverse disciplines such as mathematics, bioinformatics, or linguistics, and is even present in art or in nature. In the context of computer programming, recursion should be understood as a powerful problem-solving strategy that allows us to design simple, succinct, and elegant algorithms for solving computational problems. This chapter presents key terms and notation, and introduces fundamental concepts related to recursive programming and thinking that will be further developed throughout the book.

1.1 RECOGNIZING RECURSION

 

An entity or concept is said to be recursive when simpler ...