circle-ellipse problem

noun

The problematic situation where a base class contains methods which mutate an object in a manner which may invalidate a (stronger) invariant found in a derived class, violating the Liskov substitution principle. For example, if a circle is modelled as a subtype of an ellipse, and the ellipse has a method that stretches it on one axis, the circle must also implement that method despite it making no sense for a circle.

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Meanings

noun
  1. object-oriented programmingThe problematic situation where a base class contains methods which mutate an object in a manner which may invalidate a (stronger) invariant found in a derived class, violating the Liskov substitution principle. For example, if a circle is modelled as a subtype of an ellipse, and the ellipse has a method that stretches it on one axis, the circle must also implement that method despite it making no sense for a circle.
Cite this entry
APA

circle-ellipse problem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/circle-ellipse%20problem

MLA

“circle-ellipse problem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/circle-ellipse%20problem. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “circle-ellipse problem,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/circle-ellipse%20problem.

Source: circle-ellipse problem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.