English Idiom in Unix: Directory Recursively

[Martin P. Hellwig]

On 17/05/2011 23:20, Ian Kelly wrote:
> On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 4:26 PM, Xah Lee<xahlee at gmail.com>  wrote:
>> Though, if you think about it, it's not exactly a correct description.
>> “Recursive”, or “recursion”, refers to a particular type of algorithm,
>> or a implementation using that algorithm.
>
> Only when used as programming jargon.  In mathematics, "recursive
> function" does *not* mean "a function implemented using a recursive
> algorithm".  It's just a formal definition of a specific class of
> mathematical functions.
>
> As it turns out, "recursive" also has a non-technical definition,
> which again has nothing to do with algorithms except in the broadest
> sense:
>
> recursive    adj.
> 1. pertaining to or using a rule or procedure that can be applied repeatedly
> (from dictionary.com)
>
> This definition fits the Unix usage perfectly.

I concur, although my dictionary defines the base of the word:
"to happen many times or to happen again"

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/recur#recur__3

Perhaps the gp of the post might profit from a more holistic approach 
when adopting an opinion or at least consult a dictionary before going 
into a rant.

-- 
mph