Description: A recursive algorithm is a problem-solving method based on the divide and conquer technique, where a function calls itself with a subset of the original problem. This approach allows breaking down complex problems into simpler subproblems, making them easier to solve. Recursion is characterized by having a base condition that stops the recursive call and prevents the algorithm from entering an infinite loop. Recursive algorithms are particularly useful in situations where the solution to a problem can be expressed in terms of solutions to smaller instances of the same problem. This type of algorithm is commonly used in programming and data structures, such as trees and linked lists, where the hierarchical or nested nature of the data lends itself well to recursion. The clarity and elegance of recursive algorithms often make them easier to understand and maintain compared to their iterative counterparts, although they can be less efficient in terms of memory usage and execution time if not managed properly.
