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::::"In [[recursion theory|computability theory]], the '''primitive recursive functions''' are, roughly speaking, the functions that may be defined and computed by a computer program made up from the arithmetic operations, the ''if then else'' control statement and the ''for i'' = 1 ''to n'' loop (excluding the ''while'' loop with a number of iterations that are is not known when entering in the loop). The primitive recursive functions form an important building block on the way to a full formalization of computability and are important in [[proof theory]]. Historically, and for allowing simpler proofs, they are formally defined using a short list of ways of [[function composition|composing functions]] and a particular form of [[recursion (computer science)|recursion]] known as '''primitive recursion'''. The term was coined by [[Rózsa Péter]]."
:::As almost everybody knows the bases of computer programming this would make the first paragraph understandable for a much wider audience. This characterization of the primitive recursive functions has also the advantage to allow a non specialist to recognize primitive recursive functions by himself. [[User:D.Lazard|D.Lazard]] ([[User talk:D.Lazard|talk]]) 17:02, 2 September 2013 (UTC)
::::If you want to appeal to the man from the street. You could explain primitive recursive as LOOP-programs, and general recursive as WHILE-programs. But I guess [[Computability theory]], also known as recursion theory hasn't taken this road. An early mention of primitive recursive was in Dedekind 1888.
::::[[User:Janburse|Jan Burse]] ([[User talk:Janburse|talk]]) 13:05, 28 February 2024 (UTC)
If either of you make any changes to the article, please make them incrementally: make a small (localized) change, wait a few days to see what the reaction is, make another small change, wait a few more days, etc.. This way I or others can correct any errors you introduce instead of having to revert you wholesale. [[User:JRSpriggs|JRSpriggs]] ([[User talk:JRSpriggs|talk]]) 02:46, 3 September 2013 (UTC)
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