diamond problem

English

Etymology

So called because a diagram of the classes has a diamond (quadrilateral) shape.

Noun

diamond problem (plural diamond problems)

1. (object-oriented programming) The ambiguity that arises when two classes B and C inherit from A, and a further class D inherits from both B and C, so that if there is a method in A that B and/or C has overridden, and D does not override it, it is unclear which version of the method D should inherit.

Synonyms

• deadly diamond of death (humorous)
• dreaded diamond (humorous)

Related terms

• diamond inheritance