# ERROR: Cannot install package_a and package_b because these package versions have conflicting dependencies.

- **ID:** `python/pip-dependency-cycle`
- **Domain:** python
- **Category:** data_error
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 80%

## Root Cause

Two packages depend on each other or have circular dependencies that cannot be resolved.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| 3.9 | active | — | — |
| 3.10 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Use pip's resolver with backtracking** (70% success)
   ```
   pip install --resolver backtracking package_a package_b
   ```
2. **Install compatible versions manually** (80% success)
   ```
   pip install package_a==1.0 package_b==2.0
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Installing one package first** — May still fail due to conflict. (50% fail)
- **Uninstalling both and reinstalling** — Cycle persists. (30% fail)