How can you show the recent posts in wordpress?

Following line of code show the recent posts,

        <?php $the_query = new WP_Query('showposts=4&category_name=property'); ?>

               <?php while ($the_query -> have_posts()) : $the_query -> the_post(); ?>

               <li><a href="<?php the_permalink() ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a></li>

             <?php endwhile;?>