Recursion

For other uses, see Recursion (disambiguation).

A visual form of recursion known as the Droste effect. The woman in this image holds an object that contains a smaller image of her holding an identical object, which in turn contains a smaller image of herself holding an identical object, and so forth. 1904 Droste cocoa tin, designed by Jan Misset.

Recursion occurs when the definition of a concept or process depends on a simpler or previous version of itself.[1] Recursion is used in a variety of disciplines ranging from linguistics to logic. The most common application of recursion is in mathematics and computer science, where a function being defined is applied within its own definition. While this apparently defines an infinite number of instances (function values), it is often done in such a way that no infinite loop or infinite chain of references can occur.

A process that exhibits recursion is recursive. Video feedback displays recursive images, as does an infinity mirror.

  1. ^ Causey, Robert L. (2006). Logic, sets, and recursion (2nd ed.). Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. ISBN 0-7637-3784-4. OCLC 62093042.