What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
recursive
Example
The recursive function calculates the factorial of a number by calling itself with a smaller input. [recursive: adjective]
Example
The recursive algorithm divides the problem into smaller sub-problems and solves them recursively. [recursive: adjective]
iterative
Example
The iterative function calculates the square root of a number by repeatedly refining an estimate. [iterative: adjective]
Example
The iterative algorithm updates the solution using a fixed set of rules until it converges to a stable result. [iterative: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Iterative is more commonly used than recursive in programming and computer science. Iterative is often preferred for its efficiency and lower memory usage, while recursive is used for its simplicity and ease of understanding.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between recursive and iterative?
Both recursive and iterative are technical terms used in programming and computer science, making them more formal than everyday language.
