4cycles
4cycles is a term used in graph theory to refer to a 4-cycle, also known as a C4. A 4-cycle is a simple cycle consisting of four distinct vertices v1, v2, v3, v4 connected in sequence by edges v1–v2, v2–v3, v3–v4, and v4–v1, forming a closed loop that visually resembles a square. In a larger graph, these four vertices may appear as a subgraph; if there are additional edges among them, the subgraph is not necessarily an induced C4, but the cycle itself remains a 4-cycle within the graph.
Counting and detection of 4cycles is a common task in graph analysis. A practical approach examines pairs
Significance and applications of 4cycles appear in several areas. In network topology, they help describe square-like
4cycles is closely related to C4 and the square graph, and is distinguished from longer even cycles