recursion in programming

Recursion in programming is a technique where a function calls itself to solve a problem by breaking it down into smaller, similar problems. Think of it like a set of nested dolls: each doll contains a smaller doll inside, and you open each one until you reach the smallest. In programming, the function continues to invoke itself with simpler inputs until it reaches a base case, a condition where it stops. This process helps solve complex problems efficiently by repeatedly applying the same logic, often leading to elegant and concise code for tasks like factorials, tree traversals, or sorting.