What type of programming technique does recursion involve?

Recursion is a programming technique characterized by a function that calls itself within its definition, which aligns with the concept of self-referential processing. This means that the function can work on smaller instances of the same problem until it reaches a base case, where it can provide a direct solution. This approach allows for elegant solutions to problems that can be divided into similar subproblems, making recursion particularly useful for tasks like tree traversal, factorial calculation, and Fibonacci number generation.

In self-referential processing, the function's ability to reference and invoke itself enables the implementation of algorithms that can simplify complex problems and maintain a clear structure in code. Recursive functions typically have two main components: the base case that prevents infinite recursion and the recursive case that continues calling the function until the base case is reached. This efficiency and clarity in handling repetitive tasks set recursion apart from other programming techniques.