Create Latest Post/Recent Post WordPress

The Following is Php Code to Show Recent Post or Latest Post WordPress

<ul>
<?php $recent = new WP_Query('showposts=5'. $posts .'&orderby=post_date&order=desc'); while($recent->have_posts()) : $recent->the_post();?>
<li><a href="<?php the_permalink() ?>" rel="bookmark">
<?php the_title(); ?>
</a></li>
<?php endwhile; ?>
</ul>