@@ -21,42 +21,44 @@ Check detects cyclic ``#include`` dependencies between user-defined headers.
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// Include chain: A->B->C->A
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- Header files are a crucial part of many C++ programs, as they provide a way to
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- organize declarations and definitions that are shared across multiple source
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- files. However, header files can also create problems when they become entangled
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+ Header files are a crucial part of many C++ programs as they provide a way to
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+ organize declarations and definitions shared across multiple source files.
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+ However, header files can also create problems when they become entangled
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in complex dependency cycles. Such cycles can cause issues with compilation
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times, unnecessary rebuilds, and make it harder to understand the overall
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structure of the code.
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- To address these issues, this check has been developed. This check is designed
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- to detect cyclic dependencies between header files, also known as
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- "include cycles". An include cycle occurs when a header file `A ` includes a
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- header file `B `, and header file `B ` (or any later included header file in the
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- chain) includes back header file `A `, leading to a circular dependency cycle.
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-
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- This check operates at the preprocessor level and analyzes user-defined headers
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- and their dependencies. It focuses specifically on detecting include cycles,
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- and ignores other types or function dependencies. This allows it to provide a
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- specialized analysis that is focused on identifying and preventing issues
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- related to header file organization.
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-
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- The benefits of using this check are numerous. By detecting include cycles early
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- in the development process, developers can identify and resolve these issues
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- before they become more difficult and time-consuming to fix. This can lead to
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- faster compile times, improved code quality, and a more maintainable codebase
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- overall. Additionally, by ensuring that header files are organized in a way that
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- avoids cyclic dependencies, developers can make their code easier to understand
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- and modify over time.
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-
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- It's worth noting that this tool only analyzes user-defined headers and their
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- dependencies, excluding system includes such as standard library headers and
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- third-party library headers. System includes are usually well-designed and free
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- of include cycles, and ignoring them helps to focus on potential issues within
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- the project's own codebase. This limitation doesn't diminish the tool's ability
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- to detect ``#include `` cycles within the analyzed code. As with any tool,
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- developers should use their judgment when evaluating the warnings produced by
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- the check and be prepared to make exceptions or modifications to their code as
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- needed.
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+ To address these issues, a check has been developed to detect cyclic
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+ dependencies between header files, also known as "include cycles".
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+ An include cycle occurs when a header file `A ` includes header file `B `,
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+ and `B ` (or any subsequent included header file) includes back header file `A `,
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+ resulting in a circular dependency cycle.
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+
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+ This check operates at the preprocessor level and specifically analyzes
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+ user-defined headers and their dependencies. It focuses solely on detecting
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+ include cycles while disregarding other types or function dependencies.
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+ This specialized analysis helps identify and prevent issues related to header
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+ file organization.
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+
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+ By detecting include cycles early in the development process, developers can
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+ identify and resolve these issues before they become more difficult and
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+ time-consuming to fix. This can lead to faster compile times, improved code
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+ quality, and a more maintainable codebase overall. Additionally, by ensuring
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+ that header files are organized in a way that avoids cyclic dependencies,
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+ developers can make their code easier to understand and modify over time.
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+
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+ It's worth noting that only user-defined headers their dependencies are analyzed,
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+ System includes such as standard library headers and third-party library headers
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+ are excluded. System includes are usually well-designed and free of include
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+ cycles, and ignoring them helps to focus on potential issues within the
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+ project's own codebase. This limitation doesn't diminish the ability to detect
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+ ``#include `` cycles within the analyzed code.
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+
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+ Developers should carefully review any warnings or feedback provided by this
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+ solution. While the analysis aims to identify and prevent include cycles, there
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+ may be situations where exceptions or modifications are necessary. It's
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+ important to exercise judgment and consider the specific context of the codebase
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+ when making adjustments.
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Options
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