Recursion is not a function calling itself!

Recursion is redefined as a repeated process reapplied to the same elements, not just a function calling itself. Examples of loops and true recursions illustrate this distinction. A countdown function that doesn't reapply processes to the same elements is a loop, not recursion. True recursion, like the days of the week or Valentine's Day, involves repeating the same process on the same elements multiple times. This new understanding challenges the common definition and clarifies how to identify and implement recursive operations.