Which programming technique allows a function to call itself?

The programming technique that allows a function to call itself is known as recursion. In recursive programming, a function solves a problem by breaking it down into smaller instances of the same problem. This approach typically involves a base case that acts as a stopping criterion to prevent infinite calls and ensure that the recursion eventually concludes.

When a recursive function is executed, it pushes its state onto the call stack each time it calls itself again. Once the base case is met, the function unwinds the stack, returning values back through the chain of calls. This technique is particularly useful for problems that can be defined in terms of smaller subproblems, such as computing factorials, navigating tree structures, or solving mathematical sequences like the Fibonacci series.

Understanding recursion is crucial because it promotes a different way of thinking about problem-solving, focusing on the relationships between the current problem and its smaller counterparts, thus leading to elegant and concise code solutions in many scenarios.