What is the term for a function that calls itself?

A function that calls itself is known as a recursive function. This concept is central in programming, especially in areas like algorithms and data structures. When a function is defined to solve a problem by calling itself, it divides the problem into smaller, more manageable subproblems, which can simplify complex tasks.

In a recursive function, there are typically two key components: the base case, which defines when the function should stop calling itself, and the recursive case, which is the part of the function that calls itself to progress towards that base case. This technique is frequently used for tasks such as calculating factorials, traversing trees, or solving problems like the Fibonacci sequence.

The other terms such as "static function," "iterative function," and "anomalous function" do not specifically describe a function that calls itself. A static function usually refers to a method in object-oriented programming that does not require an instance of the class to be called. An iterative function is one that solves problems through a loop, rather than through recursive calls. The term "anomalous function" does not have a standard definition in programming related to function behavior, making "recursive function" the accurate choice.