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avoid-referencing-subclasses

added in: 1.23.0
warning
Pro+

Warns when a parent class references its child class.

Subclass references can be confusing and violate several rules of object-oriented design. Consider moving such references out of the parent class.

Example​

❌ Bad:

class Parent {
  // LINT: Avoid referencing subclasses in their parent classes.
  void doWork(Child sub) {}
  
  // LINT: Avoid referencing subclasses in their parent classes.
  Child getChild(String value) {}
  
  // LINT: Avoid referencing subclasses in their parent classes.
  GrandChild getGrandChild(String value) {}
}

class Child extends Parent {}

class GrandChild extends Child {}

✅ Good:

class Parent {}

class Child extends Parent {}

class GrandChild extends Child {}

Additional Resources​