How does recursion work in functional programming?

Recursion in functional programming is a powerful technique where a function calls itself to solve a problem. This allows for elegant and concise solutions to complex problems by breaking them down into simpler subproblems.

Recursive Functions

In functional programming, recursive functions are defined by a base case that specifies when the recursion should stop and a recursive case that defines how the function should call itself with modified arguments. This process continues until the base case is reached, and the function can then return a result.

Solving Complex Problems

Recursion is particularly useful for solving problems that can be broken down into smaller instances of the same problem. By reducing a complex problem into simpler subproblems, recursion allows for a more modular and manageable approach to programming.

Programming Techniques

Recursion is a fundamental programming technique in functional programming that enables iterative approaches through repeated function calls. It is essential for tasks such as tree traversal, sorting algorithms, and mathematical calculations.

In conclusion, recursion in functional programming is a valuable tool for solving complex problems efficiently by dividing them into smaller, more manageable subproblems through recursive function calls.