auto-reference

Auto-reference occurs when a piece of data, such as a variable or a record, points to itself either directly or indirectly. In programming and data management, this can happen intentionally or by mistake, creating circular links. For example, a record might reference itself as a parent, or a script may point to its own code. Auto-reference can complicate data processing, cause infinite loops, or lead to errors if not managed properly. Understanding and controlling auto-reference is important to ensure data integrity and prevent problems during data access or manipulation.