gen-explain-recursion-versus-iteration-as-you-would-to-a-capable-8a3e

Explain recursion versus iteration as you would to a capable student, in 3-4 sentences.

**Iteration** uses loops (like `for` or `while`) to repeat a task by explicitly controlling each step forward until you're done—think of climbing stairs one at a time while counting. **Recursion** solves a problem by having a function call itself with simpler inputs until reaching a base case—like Russian nesting dolls where each doll contains a smaller version until you reach the tiniest one. Both achieve repetition, but iteration maintains state through loop variables, while recursion maintains state through the call stack (each function call remembers its own variables).