Final answer:
A cyclic path refers to a process that follows the same pattern for every cycle. Examples include the software development life cycle in software development and computer network topologies in networking.
Step-by-step explanation:
A cyclic path refers to a process in which the system follows the same pattern or path for every cycle. An example of a cyclic path in software development is the software development life cycle (SDLC). The SDLC consists of a series of phases, such as requirements gathering, design, coding, testing, and maintenance, which are followed in a repeated and iterative manner for every software project. Another example of a cyclic path is a computer network topology, which refers to the arrangement of devices and connections in a computer network. Topologies like ring, bus, and mesh form a cyclic structure, where data is transmitted in a closed loop or cycle.
On the other hand, algorithm complexity doesn't involve a cyclic path as it focuses on analyzing the efficiency and performance of algorithms based on their input sizes. Recursive functions also do not follow a cyclic path, as they involve the repetition of a specific logic or code block until a base case is reached, rather than repeating the same path.