What are some examples of circular dependencies in C++?

What are some examples of circular dependencies in C++?

Circular dependencies occur when two or more modules depend on each other directly or indirectly. For example, if class A includes class B, and class B includes class A, that's a circular dependency.

Can you give me a code example of this?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

class B; // Forward declaration

class A {
public:
    B* b;
};

class B {
public:
    A a;
};

In this case, class A depends on class B, and class B depends on class A.

What problems can circular dependencies cause?

They can lead to issues like compilation errors, increased coupling, and difficulties in maintaining the code. It can also cause runtime errors if not handled properly.

How can I avoid circular dependencies?

You can avoid them by using forward declarations, breaking dependencies through interfaces, or restructuring your code to minimize interdependencies.