Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms: circularity
circularity
the problem that arises when a computer cannot finish a task until it has already finished it-an impossible situation. For example, in a spreadsheet, a circularity problem arises if you enter the formula 2*B1 into cell A1 and then enter the formula A1/2 into cell B1. In order to evaluate each of the cells the computer needs the value of the other one. Thus, it cannot proceed, and it displays a warning message instead. See Figure 56.
