What are common pitfalls or gotchas with deep copying?

Deep copying in programming can often lead to unexpected behavior if not handled correctly. Below are some common pitfalls or gotchas to watch out for when performing deep copies:

• Reference Issues: When performing a deep copy, be cautious about objects that contain references to other objects. If you copy an object that contains a reference to another object, modifying the referenced object may affect both the original and the copied object.
• Performance Overhead: Deep copying can be resource-intensive, especially with large or complex data structures. It's essential to evaluate if deep copying is necessary.
• Immutable Objects: Some objects may not need deep copies due to immutability. Always assess whether you truly need to create a deep copy.
• Circular References: Objects that refer back to themselves can cause issues during deep copying. Implement checks to prevent infinite recursion.
• Object State: Ensure that all properties of the original object are correctly copied; otherwise, you might end up with incomplete or unexpected states in the copied object.

Keep these pitfalls in mind to ensure that your deep copying is performed correctly and efficiently.