passagemath-graphs 10.6.1rc1__cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_aarch64.whl

sage/graphs/matching_covered_graph.py

@@ -0,0 +1,3590 @@
+# sage_setup: distribution = sagemath-graphs
+# sage.doctest: needs networkx
+r"""
+Matching covered graphs
+
+This module implements functions and operations pertaining to matching covered
+graphs.
+
+A *matching* in a graph is a set of pairwise nonadjacent links
+(nonloop edges). In other words, a matching in a graph is the edge set of an
+1-regular subgraph. A matching is called a *perfect* *matching* if it the
+subgraph generated by a set of matching edges spans the graph, i.e. it's the
+edge set of an 1-regular spanning subgraph. A connected nontrivial graph is
+called *matching* *covered* if each edge participates in some perfect matching.
+
+{INDEX_OF_METHODS}
+
+REFERENCES:
+
+- This methods of this module has been adopted and inspired by the book of
+  Lucchesi and Murty --- *Perfect Matchings: a theory of matching covered
+  graphs* [LM2024]_.
+
+AUTHORS:
+
+- Janmenjaya Panda (2024-06-14): initial version
+
+.. TODO::
+
+    The following methods are to be incorporated in
+    :class:`~MatchingCoveredGraph`:
+
+    .. csv-table::
+        :class: contentstable
+        :widths: 30, 70
+        :delim: |
+
+        ``__hash__()`` | Compute a hash for ``self``, if ``self`` is immutable.
+        ``_subgraph_by_deleting()`` | Return the matching covered subgraph containing the provided vertices and edges.
+
+    **Overwritten Methods**
+
+    .. csv-table::
+        :class: contentstable
+        :widths: 30, 70
+        :delim: |
+
+        ``add_clique()`` | Add a clique to the graph with the provided vertices.
+        ``add_cycle()`` | Add a cycle to the graph with the provided vertices.
+        ``add_path()`` | Add a path to the graph with the provided vertices.
+        ``cartesian_product()`` | Return the Cartesian product of ``self`` and ``other``.
+        ``clear()`` | Empties the graph of vertices and edges and removes name, associated objects, and position information.
+        ``complement()`` | Return the complement of the graph.
+        ``contract_edge()`` | Contract an edge from ``u`` to ``v``.
+        ``contract_edges()`` | Contract edges from an iterable container.
+        ``degree_constrained_subgraph()`` | Return a degree-constrained matching covered subgraph.
+        ``delete_edge()`` | Delete the edge from ``u`` to ``v``.
+        ``delete_edges()`` | Delete edges from an iterable container.
+        ``delete_multiedge()`` | Delete all edges from ``u`` to ``v``.
+        ``disjoint_union()`` | Return the disjoint union of ``self`` and ``other``.
+        ``disjunctive_product()`` | Return the disjunctive product of ``self`` and ``other``.
+        ``is_biconnected()`` | Check if the matching covered graph is biconnected.
+        ``is_block_graph()`` | Check whether the matching covered graph is a block graph.
+        ``is_cograph()`` | Check whether the matching covered graph is cograph.
+        ``is_forest()`` | Check if the matching covered graph is a forest, i.e. a disjoint union of trees.
+        ``is_matching_covered()`` | Check if the graph is matching covered.
+        ``is_path()`` | Check whether the graph is a path.
+        ``is_subgraph()`` | Check whether the matching covered graph is a subgraph of ``other``.
+        ``is_tree()`` | Check whether the matching covered graph is a tree.
+        ``join()`` | Return the join of ``self`` and ``other``.
+        ``lexicographic_product()`` | Return the lexicographic product of ``self`` and ``other``.
+        ``load_afile()`` | Load the matching covered graph specified in the given file into the current object.
+        ``merge_vertices()`` | Merge vertices.
+        ``minor()`` | Return the vertices of a minor isomorphic to `H` in the current graph.
+        ``random_subgraph()`` | Return a random matching covered subgraph containing each vertex with probability ``p``.
+        ``save_afile()`` | Save the graph to file in alist format.
+        ``strong_product()`` | Return the strong product of ``self`` and ``other``.
+        ``subdivide_edge()`` | Subdivide an edge `k` times.
+        ``subdivide_edges()`` | Subdivide `k` times edges from an iterable container.
+        ``subgraph()`` | Return the matching covered subgraph containing the given vertices and edges.
+        ``subgraph_search()`` | Return a copy of (matching covered) ``G`` in ``self``.
+        ``subgraph_search_count()`` | Return the number of labelled occurrences of (matching covered) ``G`` in ``self``.
+        ``subgraph_search_iterator()`` | Return an iterator over the labelled copies of (matching covered) ``G`` in ``self``.
+        ``tensor_product()`` | Return the tensor product of ``self`` and ``other``.
+        ``to_undirected()`` | Return an undirected Graph instance of the matching covered graph.
+        ``topological_minor()`` | Return a topological `H`-minor from ``self`` if one exists.
+        ``transitive_closure()`` | Return the transitive closure of the matching covered graph.
+        ``transitive_reduction()`` | Return a transitive reduction of the matching covered graph.
+        ``union()`` | Return the union of ``self`` and ``other``.
+
+    **Bricks, braces and tight cut decomposition**
+
+    .. csv-table::
+        :class: contentstable
+        :widths: 30, 70
+        :delim: |
+
+        ``bricks_and_braces()`` | Return the list of (underlying simple graph of) the bricks and braces of the (matching covered) graph.
+        ``number_of_braces()`` | Return the number of braces.
+        ``number_of_bricks()`` | Return the number of bricks.
+        ``number_of_petersen_bricks()`` | Return the number of Petersen bricks.
+        ``tight_cut_decomposition()`` | Return a maximal set of laminar nontrivial tight cuts and a corresponding vertex set partition.
+
+    **Removability and ear decomposition**
+
+    .. csv-table::
+        :class: contentstable
+        :widths: 30, 70
+        :delim: |
+
+        ``add_ear()`` | Add an ear to the graph with the provided end vertices number of internal vertices.
+        ``bisubdivide_edge()`` | Bisubdivide an edge `k` times.
+        ``bisubdivide_edges()`` | Bisubdivide `k` times edges from an iterable container.
+        ``efficient_ear_decomposition()`` | Return a matching covered ear decomposition computed at the fastest possible time.
+        ``is_removable_double_ear()`` | Check whether the pair of ears form a removable double ear.
+        ``is_removable_doubleton()`` | Check whether the pair of edges constitute a removable doubleton.
+        ``is_removable_ear()`` | Check whether the ear is removable.
+        ``is_removable_edge()`` | Check whether the edge is removable.
+        ``optimal_ear_decomposition()`` | Return an optimal ear decomposition.
+        ``removable_double_ears()`` | Return a list of removable double ears.
+        ``removable_doubletons()`` | Return a list of removable doubletons.
+        ``removable_ears()`` | Return a list of removable ears.
+        ``removable_edges()`` | Return a :class:`~EdgesView` of removable edges.
+        ``retract()`` | Compute the retract of the (matching covered) graph.
+
+    **Generating bricks and braces**
+
+    .. csv-table::
+        :class: contentstable
+        :widths: 30, 70
+        :delim: |
+
+        ``brace_generation_sequence()`` | Return a McCuaig brace generation sequence of the (provided) brace.
+        ``brick_generation_sequence()`` | Return a Norine-Thomas brick generation sequence of the (provided) brick.
+        ``is_mccuaig_brace()`` | Check if the brace is a McCuaig brace.
+        ``is_norine_thomas_brick()`` | Check if the brick is a Norine-Thomas brick.
+
+
+Methods
+-------
+"""
+
+# ****************************************************************************
+#         Copyright (C) 2024 Janmenjaya Panda <janmenjaya.panda.22@gmail.com>
+#
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 2 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#                  https://www.gnu.org/licenses/
+# ****************************************************************************
+from sage.graphs.graph import Graph
+from sage.misc.rest_index_of_methods import doc_index, gen_thematic_rest_table_index
+
+
+class MatchingCoveredGraph(Graph):
+    r"""
+    Matching covered graph
+
+    INPUT:
+
+    - ``data`` -- can be any of the following:
+
+      - Empty or ``None`` (throws a :exc:`ValueError` as the graph must be
+        nontrival).
+
+      - An arbitrary graph.
+
+    - ``matching`` -- (default: ``None``); a perfect matching of the
+      graph, that can be given using any valid input format of
+      :class:`~sage.graphs.graph.Graph`.
+
+      If set to ``None``, a matching is computed using the other parameters.
+
+    - ``algorithm`` -- string (default: ``'Edmonds'``); the algorithm to be
+      used to compute a maximum matching of the graph among
+
+      - ``'Edmonds'`` selects Edmonds' algorithm as implemented in NetworkX,
+
+      - ``'LP'`` uses a Linear Program formulation of the matching problem.
+
+    - ``solver`` -- string (default: ``None``); specify a Mixed Integer
+      Linear Programming (MILP) solver to be used. If set to ``None``, the
+      default one is used. For more information on MILP solvers and which
+      default solver is used, see the method :meth:`solve
+      <sage.numerical.mip.MixedIntegerLinearProgram.solve>` of the class
+      :class:`MixedIntegerLinearProgram
+      <sage.numerical.mip.MixedIntegerLinearProgram>`.
+
+    - ``verbose`` -- integer (default: ``0``); sets the level of verbosity:
+      set to 0 by default, which means quiet (only useful when ``algorithm
+      == 'LP'``).
+
+    - ``integrality_tolerance`` -- float; parameter for use with MILP
+      solvers over an inexact base ring; see
+      :meth:`MixedIntegerLinearProgram.get_values`.
+
+    OUTPUT:
+
+    - An object of the class :class:`~MatchingCoveredGraph` if the input is
+      valid and the graph is matching covered, or otherwise an error is thrown.
+
+    .. NOTE::
+
+        All remaining arguments are passed to the ``Graph`` constructor
+
+    EXAMPLES:
+
+    Generating an object of the class ``MatchingCoveredGraph`` from the
+    provided instance of ``Graph`` without providing any other information::
+
+        sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(graphs.PetersenGraph())
+        sage: G
+        Matching covered petersen graph: graph on 10 vertices
+        sage: sorted(G.get_matching())
+        [(0, 5, None), (1, 6, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 8, None), (4, 9, None)]
+
+        sage: G = graphs.StaircaseGraph(4)
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        sage: H
+        Matching covered staircase graph: graph on 8 vertices
+        sage: H == G
+        True
+        sage: sorted(H.get_matching())
+        [(0, 1, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 6, None), (4, 5, None)]
+
+        sage: G = Graph({0: [1, 2, 3, 4], 1: [2, 5],
+        ....:            2: [5], 3: [4, 5], 4: [5]})
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        sage: H
+        Matching covered graph on 6 vertices
+        sage: H == G
+        True
+        sage: sorted(H.get_matching())
+        [(0, 4, None), (1, 2, None), (3, 5, None)]
+
+        sage: # needs networkx
+        sage: import networkx
+        sage: G = Graph(networkx.complete_bipartite_graph(12, 12))
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        sage: H
+        Matching covered graph on 24 vertices
+        sage: H == G
+        True
+        sage: sorted(H.get_matching())
+        [(0, 15, None), (1, 14, None), (2, 13, None), (3, 12, None),
+         (4, 23, None), (5, 22, None), (6, 21, None), (7, 20, None),
+         (8, 19, None), (9, 18, None), (10, 17, None), (11, 16, None)]
+
+        sage: G = Graph('E|fG', sparse=True)
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        sage: H
+        Matching covered graph on 6 vertices
+        sage: H == G
+        True
+        sage: sorted(H.get_matching())
+        [(0, 5, None), (1, 2, None), (3, 4, None)]
+
+        sage: # needs sage.modules
+        sage: M = Matrix([(0,1,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0),
+        ....:             (1,0,1,0,0,0,1,0,0,0),
+        ....:             (0,1,0,1,0,0,0,1,0,0),
+        ....:             (0,0,1,0,1,0,0,0,1,0),
+        ....:             (1,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,1),
+        ....:             (1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0),
+        ....:             (0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1),
+        ....:             (0,0,1,0,0,1,0,0,0,1),
+        ....:             (0,0,0,1,0,1,1,0,0,0),
+        ....:             (0,0,0,0,1,0,1,1,0,0)])
+        sage: M
+        [0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0]
+        [1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0]
+        [0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0]
+        [0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0]
+        [1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1]
+        [1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0]
+        [0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1]
+        [0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1]
+        [0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0]
+        [0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0]
+        sage: G = Graph(M)
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        sage: H == G
+        True
+        sage: sorted(H.get_matching())
+        [(0, 5, None), (1, 6, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 8, None), (4, 9, None)]
+
+        sage: # needs sage.modules
+        sage: M = Matrix([(-1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,-1, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             ( 1,-1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,-1, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             ( 0, 1,-1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,-1, 0, 0),
+        ....:             ( 0, 0, 1,-1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,-1, 0),
+        ....:             ( 0, 0, 0, 1,-1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,-1),
+        ....:             ( 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,-1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             ( 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1,-1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             ( 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1,-1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0),
+        ....:             ( 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1,-1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0),
+        ....:             ( 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1,-1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1)])
+        sage: M
+        [-1  0  0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0 -1  0  0  0  0]
+        [ 1 -1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0 -1  0  0  0]
+        [ 0  1 -1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0 -1  0  0]
+        [ 0  0  1 -1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0 -1  0]
+        [ 0  0  0  1 -1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0 -1]
+        [ 0  0  0  0  0 -1  0  0  0  1  1  0  0  0  0]
+        [ 0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1 -1  0  0  1  0  0  0]
+        [ 0  0  0  0  0  1 -1  0  0  0  0  0  1  0  0]
+        [ 0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1 -1  0  0  0  1  0]
+        [ 0  0  0  0  0  0  1 -1  0  0  0  0  0  0  1]
+        sage: G = Graph(M)
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        sage: H == G
+        True
+        sage: sorted(H.get_matching())
+        [(0, 5, None), (1, 6, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 8, None), (4, 9, None)]
+
+        sage: G = Graph([(0, 1), (0, 3), (0, 4), (1, 2), (1, 5), (2, 3),
+        ....:            (2, 6), (3, 7), (4, 5), (4, 7), (5, 6), (6, 7)])
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        sage: H == G
+        True
+        sage: sorted(H.get_matching())
+        [(0, 4, None), (1, 5, None), (2, 6, None), (3, 7, None)]
+
+        sage: # optional - python_igraph
+        sage: import igraph
+        sage: G = Graph(igraph.Graph([(0, 1), (0, 3), (1, 2), (2, 3)]))
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        sage: H
+        Matching covered graph on 4 vertices
+        sage: sorted(H.get_matching())
+        [(0, 3, {}), (1, 2, {})]
+
+    One may specify a perfect matching::
+
+        sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+        sage: M = P.matching()
+        sage: sorted(M)
+        [(0, 5, None), (1, 6, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 8, None), (4, 9, None)]
+        sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P, matching=M)
+        sage: G
+        Matching covered petersen graph: graph on 10 vertices
+        sage: P == G
+        True
+        sage: sorted(G.get_matching())
+        [(0, 5, None), (1, 6, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 8, None), (4, 9, None)]
+        sage: sorted(G.get_matching()) == sorted(M)
+        True
+
+        sage: G = graphs.TruncatedBiwheelGraph(14)
+        sage: M = G.matching()
+        sage: sorted(M)
+        [(0, 27, None), (1, 26, None), (2, 3, None), (4, 5, None),
+         (6, 7, None), (8, 9, None), (10, 11, None), (12, 13, None),
+         (14, 15, None), (16, 17, None), (18, 19, None), (20, 21, None),
+         (22, 23, None), (24, 25, None)]
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G, M)
+        sage: H
+        Matching covered truncated biwheel graph: graph on 28 vertices
+        sage: H == G
+        True
+        sage: sorted(H.get_matching()) == sorted(M)
+        True
+
+    One may specify some keyword arguments::
+
+        sage: G = Graph([(0, 1, 5)], {'weighted': True})
+        sage: kwds = {
+        ....:   'loops': False,
+        ....:   'multiedges': True,
+        ....:   'pos': {0: (0, 0), 1: (1, 1)}
+        ....: }
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G, **kwds)
+        sage: H
+        Matching covered multi-graph on 2 vertices
+        sage: H.add_edge(0, 1)
+        sage: H.edges()
+        [(0, 1, None), (0, 1, 5)]
+
+    TESTS:
+
+    An empty graph is not matching covered::
+
+        sage: G = Graph()
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: the graph is trivial
+        sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph()
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: the graph is trivial
+
+    Providing with a graph that is not connected::
+
+        sage: G = graphs.CycleGraph(4)
+        sage: G += graphs.CycleGraph(6)
+        sage: G.connected_components_number()
+        2
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: the graph is not connected
+
+    Make sure that self-loops are not allowed for a matching covered graph::
+
+        sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+        sage: kwds = {'loops': True}
+        sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P, **kwds)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+        sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+        sage: G.allows_loops()
+        False
+        sage: G.allow_loops(True)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+        sage: G.add_edge(0, 0)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(P, loops=True)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+
+    Make sure that multiple edges are allowed for a matching covered graph (by
+    default it is off and can be modified to be allowed)::
+
+        sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+        sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+        sage: G
+        Matching covered petersen graph: graph on 10 vertices
+        sage: G.allows_multiple_edges()
+        False
+        sage: G.size()
+        15
+        sage: G.allow_multiple_edges(True)
+        sage: G.allows_multiple_edges()
+        True
+        sage: G.add_edge(next(P.edge_iterator()))
+        sage: G.size()
+        16
+        sage: G
+        Matching covered petersen graph: multi-graph on 10 vertices
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(P, multiedges=True)
+        sage: H.allows_multiple_edges()
+        True
+        sage: H.add_edge(next(P.edge_iterator()))
+        sage: H.size()
+        16
+        sage: H
+        Matching covered petersen graph: multi-graph on 10 vertices
+
+    Providing with a connected nontrivial graph free of self-loops that is
+    not matching covered::
+
+        sage: G = graphs.CompleteGraph(11)
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: input graph is not matching covered
+        sage: G = Graph({0: [1, 6, 11], 1: [2, 4], 2: [3, 5], 3: [4, 5],
+        ....:            4: [5], 6: [7, 9], 7: [8, 10], 8: [9, 10], 9: [10],
+        ....:            11: [12, 14], 12: [13, 15], 13: [14, 15], 14: [15]})
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: input graph is not matching covered
+
+        sage: # needs networkx
+        sage: import networkx
+        sage: G = Graph(networkx.complete_bipartite_graph(2, 12))
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: input graph is not matching covered
+        sage: G = Graph('F~~~w')
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: input graph is not matching covered
+
+        sage: # needs sage.modules
+        sage: M = Matrix([(0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0),
+        ....:             (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1),
+        ....:             (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1),
+        ....:             (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1),
+        ....:             (0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0)])
+        sage: M
+        [0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0]
+        [1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0]
+        [0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0]
+        [0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0]
+        [0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0]
+        [0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0]
+        [1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0]
+        [0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0]
+        [0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0]
+        [0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0]
+        [0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0]
+        [1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0]
+        [0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1]
+        [0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1]
+        [0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1]
+        [0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0]
+        sage: G = Graph(M)
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: input graph is not matching covered
+
+        sage: # needs sage.modules
+        sage: M = Matrix([(1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0),
+        ....:             (0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0),
+        ....:             (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1),
+        ....:             (0, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1)])
+        sage: G = Graph(M)
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: input graph is not matching covered
+        sage: G = Graph([(11, 12), (11, 14), (0, 1), (0, 11), (0, 6), (1, 2),
+        ....:            (1, 4), (2, 3), (2, 5), (3, 4), (3, 5), (4, 5),
+        ....:            (6, 7), (6, 9), (7, 8), (7, 10), (8, 9), (8, 10),
+        ....:            (9, 10), (12, 13), (12, 15), (13, 14), (13, 15),
+        ....:            (14, 15)])
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: input graph is not matching covered
+
+        sage: # optional - python_igraph
+        sage: import igraph
+        sage: G = Graph(igraph.Graph([(0, 1), (0, 2), (0, 3), (1, 2), (2, 3)]))
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: input graph is not matching covered
+
+    Providing with a wrong matching::
+
+        sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+        sage: M = str('0')
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(P, matching=M)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        RuntimeError: the string seems corrupt: valid characters are
+        ?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_`abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}~
+        sage: N = str('graph')
+        sage: J = MatchingCoveredGraph(P, matching=N)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        RuntimeError: the string (graph) seems corrupt: for n = 40,
+        the string is too short
+
+        sage: G = graphs.CompleteGraph(6)
+        sage: M = Graph(G.matching())
+        sage: M.add_edges([(0, 1), (0, 2)])
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G, matching=M)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: the input is not a matching
+        sage: N = Graph(G.matching())
+        sage: N.add_edge(6, 7)
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G, matching=N)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: the input is not a matching of the graph
+        sage: J = Graph()
+        sage: J.add_edges([(0, 1), (2, 3)])
+        sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G, matching=J)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        ValueError: the input is not a perfect matching of the graph
+
+    Note that data shall be one of empty or ``None`` or an instance of
+    ``Graph`` or an instance of ``MatchingCoveredGraph``. Otherwise a
+    :exc:`ValueError` is returned::
+
+        sage: D = digraphs.Complete(10)
+        sage: D
+        Complete digraph: Digraph on 10 vertices
+        sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(D)
+        Traceback (most recent call last):
+        ...
+        TypeError: input data is of unknown type
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, data=None, matching=None, algorithm='Edmonds',
+                 solver=None, verbose=0, integrality_tolerance=0.001,
+                 *args, **kwds):
+        r"""
+        Create a matching covered graph, that is a connected nontrivial graph
+        wherein each edge participates in some perfect matching.
+
+        See documentation ``MatchingCoveredGraph?`` for detailed information.
+        """
+        success = False
+
+        if not kwds:
+            kwds = {'loops': False}
+        else:
+            if 'loops' in kwds and kwds['loops']:
+                raise ValueError('loops are not allowed in '
+                                 'matching covered graphs')
+            kwds['loops'] = False
+
+        if data is None:
+            raise ValueError('the graph is trivial')
+
+        elif isinstance(data, MatchingCoveredGraph):
+            Graph.__init__(self, data, *args, **kwds)
+            success = True
+
+        elif isinstance(data, Graph):
+            try:
+                self._upgrade_from_graph(data=data, matching=matching,
+                                         algorithm=algorithm,
+                                         solver=solver, verbose=verbose,
+                                         integrality_tolerance=integrality_tolerance,
+                                         *args, **kwds)
+                success = True
+
+            except Exception as exception:
+                raise exception
+
+        if success:
+            if matching:
+                # The input matching is a valid perfect matching of the graph
+                self._matching = matching
+
+            else:
+                self._matching = Graph(self).matching()
+
+        else:
+            raise TypeError('input data is of unknown type')
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        r"""
+        Return a short string representation of the (matching covered) graph.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        If the string representation of the (matching covered) graph does not
+        contain the term 'matching covered', it's used as the prefix::
+
+            sage: G = graphs.CompleteGraph(10)
+            sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+            sage: H
+            Matching covered complete graph: graph on 10 vertices
+
+            sage: G = graphs.HexahedralGraph()
+            sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(BipartiteGraph(G))
+            sage: H  # An object of the class MatchingCoveredGraph
+            Matching covered hexahedron: graph on 8 vertices
+
+        In case the string representation of the (matching covered) graph
+        contains the term 'matching covered', the representation remains as it
+        is::
+
+            sage: G = graphs.CompleteGraph(10)
+            sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+            sage: H
+            Matching covered complete graph: graph on 10 vertices
+            sage: J = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: J
+            Matching covered complete graph: graph on 10 vertices
+            sage: G = graphs.HexahedralGraph()
+            sage: H = BipartiteGraph(MatchingCoveredGraph(G))
+            sage: H  # An object of the class BipartiteGraph
+            Bipartite hexahedron: graph on 8 vertices
+            sage: J = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: J  # An object of the class MatchingCoveredGraph
+            Matching covered hexahedron: graph on 8 vertices
+        """
+        s = Graph._repr_(self).lower()
+        if "matching covered" in s:
+            return s.capitalize()
+        return "".join(["Matching covered ", s])
+
+    def _subgraph_by_adding(self, vertices=None, edges=None, edge_property=None, immutable=None):
+        r"""
+        Return the matching covered subgraph containing the given vertices and edges.
+
+        The edges also satisfy the edge_property, if it is not None. The
+        subgraph is created by creating a new empty graph and adding the
+        necessary vertices, edges, and other properties.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph._subgraph_by_adding`
+            method to ensure that resultant subgraph is also matching covered.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``vertices`` -- (default: ``None``) an iterable container of
+          vertices, e.g. a list, set, graph, file or numeric array. If not
+          passed (i.e., ``None``), defaults to the entire graph.
+
+        - ``edges`` -- a single edge or an iterable container of edges (e.g., a
+          list, set, file, numeric array, etc.). By default (``edges=None``),
+          all edges are assumed and the returned graph is an induced
+          subgraph. In the case of multiple edges, specifying an edge as `(u,v)`
+          means to keep all edges `(u,v)`, regardless of the label.
+
+        - ``edge_property`` -- function (default: ``None``); a function that
+          inputs an edge and outputs a boolean value, i.e., a edge ``e`` in
+          ``edges`` is kept if ``edge_property(e) == True``
+
+        - ``immutable`` -- boolean (default: ``None``); whether to create a
+          mutable/immutable subgraph. ``immutable=None`` (default) means that
+          the graph and its subgraph will behave the same way.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - An instance of :class:`~MatchingCoveredGraph` is returned if the
+          subgraph obtained is matching covered, otherwise a :exc:`ValueError`
+          is thrown.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Ladder graphs are matching covered subgraphs of a staircase graph,
+        which is also matching covered::
+
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(graphs.StaircaseGraph(4))
+            sage: H = G._subgraph_by_adding(vertices=[0..5])
+            sage: H.order(), H.size()
+            (6, 7)
+            sage: H
+            Matching covered subgraph of (staircase graph): graph on 6 vertices
+            sage: H.is_isomorphic(graphs.LadderGraph(3))
+            True
+
+        Cycle graphs are matching covered subgraphs of a biwheel graph, which
+        is also matching covered::
+
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(graphs.BiwheelGraph(5))
+            sage: H = G._subgraph_by_adding(vertices=[0..7],
+            ....:     edges=[(u, (u+1) % 8) for u in range(8)])
+            sage: H.order(), H.size()
+            (8, 8)
+            sage: H
+            Matching covered subgraph of (biwheel graph): graph on 8 vertices
+            sage: H.is_isomorphic(graphs.CycleGraph(8))
+            True
+
+        One may pass no value for any of the input arguments; in such a case,
+        the whole matching covered graph will be returned::
+
+            sage: T = graphs.TwinplexGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(T)
+            sage: J = G._subgraph_by_adding()
+            sage: G == J
+            True
+
+        One may use the ``edge_property`` argument::
+
+            sage: G = Graph(multiedges=True)
+            sage: G.add_edges([
+            ....:     (0, 1, 'label'), (0, 2), (0, 3), (0, 4),
+            ....:     (0, 5), (1, 2, 'label'), (1, 2), (1, 5),
+            ....:     (2, 5), (3, 4), (3, 5), (4, 5)
+            ....: ])
+            sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+            sage: J = H._subgraph_by_adding(vertices=[0, 1, 2, 5], edge_property=
+            ....:     (lambda edge:
+            ....:             (edge[0] in [1, 2]) != (edge[1] in [1, 2]))
+            ....: )
+            sage: J.order(), J.size()
+            (4, 4)
+            sage: J
+            Matching covered subgraph of (): multi-graph on 4 vertices
+            sage: J.is_isomorphic(graphs.CompleteBipartiteGraph(2, 2))
+            True
+
+        We may specify the subgraph to be immutable::
+
+            sage: M = graphs.MoebiusLadderGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(M)
+            sage: H = G._subgraph_by_adding(edge_property=
+            ....:     (lambda edge: abs(edge[0] - edge[1]) != 4),
+            ....:     immutable=True)
+            sage: H.order(), H.size()
+            (8, 8)
+            sage: H
+            Matching covered subgraph of (moebius ladder graph): graph on 8 vertices
+            sage: H.is_isomorphic(graphs.CycleGraph(8))
+            True
+            sage: H.is_immutable()
+            True
+            sage: C = graphs.CubeplexGraph()
+            sage: D = MatchingCoveredGraph(C)
+            sage: I = D._subgraph_by_adding(immutable=True)
+            sage: (I == D) and (I.is_immutable())
+            True
+            sage: J = D._subgraph_by_adding(vertices=D.vertices(), immutable=True)
+            sage: (J == D) and (J.is_immutable())
+            True
+
+        An error is thrown if the subgraph is not matching covered::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: H = G._subgraph_by_adding(vertices=[])
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the graph is trivial
+            sage: H = G._subgraph_by_adding(edge_property=
+            ....:     (lambda edge: edge[0] == 0)
+            ....: )
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the graph is not connected
+            sage: H = G._subgraph_by_adding(vertices=[1, 2, 3])
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: input graph is not matching covered
+        """
+        if immutable is None:
+            immutable = self.is_immutable()
+
+        if edges is None and edge_property is None:
+            if vertices is None:
+                G = self.copy()
+                G.name('Matching covered subgraph of ({})'.format(self.name()))
+                if immutable:
+                    G = G.copy(immutable=True)
+
+                return G
+
+            else:
+                # Check if all existent vertices are there
+                all_existent_vertices = True
+                for vertex in self:
+                    if vertex not in vertices:
+                        all_existent_vertices = False
+                        break
+
+                if all_existent_vertices:
+                    G = self.copy()
+                    G.name('Matching covered subgraph of ({})'.format(self.name()))
+                    if immutable:
+                        G = G.copy(immutable=True)
+
+                    return G
+
+        G = Graph(self, weighted=self._weighted, loops=self.allows_loops(),
+                  multiedges=self.allows_multiple_edges())
+
+        H = G._subgraph_by_adding(vertices=vertices, edges=edges,
+                                  edge_property=edge_property,
+                                  immutable=False)
+
+        try:
+            H = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            H.name('Matching covered subgraph of ({})'.format(self.name()))
+            if immutable:
+                H = H.copy(immutable=True)
+
+            return H
+
+        except Exception as exception:
+            raise exception
+
+    def _upgrade_from_graph(self, data=None, matching=None, algorithm='Edmonds',
+                            solver=None, verbose=0, integrality_tolerance=0.001,
+                            *args, **kwds):
+        r"""
+        Upgrade the given graph to a matching covered graph if eligible.
+
+        See documentation ``MatchingCoveredGraph?`` for detailed information.
+        """
+        try:
+            check = Graph.is_matching_covered(G=data, matching=matching,
+                                              algorithm=algorithm,
+                                              coNP_certificate=False,
+                                              solver=solver, verbose=verbose,
+                                              integrality_tolerance=integrality_tolerance)
+
+            if check:
+                Graph.__init__(self, data, *args, **kwds)
+            else:
+                raise ValueError("input graph is not matching covered")
+
+        except Exception as exception:
+            raise exception
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def add_edge(self, u, v=None, label=None):
+        r"""
+        Add an edge from vertex ``u`` to vertex ``v``.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.add_edge` method
+            to ensure that resultant graph is also matching covered.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        The following forms are all accepted:
+
+        - G.add_edge(1, 2)
+        - G.add_edge((1, 2))
+        - G.add_edges([(1, 2)])
+        - G.add_edge(1, 2, 'label')
+        - G.add_edge((1, 2, 'label'))
+        - G.add_edges([(1, 2, 'label')])
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - If an edge is provided with a valid format, but addition of the edge
+          leaves the resulting graph not being matching covered, a
+          :exc:`ValueError` is returned without any alteration to the existing
+          matching covered graph. If the addition of the edge preserves the
+          property of matching covered, then the graph is updated and nothing
+          is returned.
+
+        - If the edge is provided with an invalid format, a :exc:`ValueError`
+          is returned.
+
+        WARNING:
+
+        The following intuitive input results in nonintuitive output,
+        even though the resulting graph behind the intuition might be matching
+        covered::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.WheelGraph(6)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: G.add_edge((1, 4), 'label')
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the graph obtained after the addition of edge
+            (((1, 4), 'label', None)) is not matching covered
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 2, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None),
+             (0, 5, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 5, None), (2, 3, None),
+             (3, 4, None), (4, 5, None)]
+
+        The key word ``label`` must be used::
+
+            sage: W = graphs.WheelGraph(6)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(W)
+            sage: G.add_edge((1, 4), label='label')
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)  # No alteration to the existing graph
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 2, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None),
+             (0, 5, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 4, 'label'), (1, 5, None),
+             (2, 3, None), (3, 4, None), (4, 5, None)]
+
+        An expression, analogous to the syntax mentioned above may be used::
+
+            sage: S = graphs.StaircaseGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(S)
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 5)
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 5, None), (0, 6, None),
+             (1, 2, None), (1, 4, None), (2, 5, None), (2, 7, None),
+             (3, 4, None), (3, 6, None), (4, 5, None), (5, 7, None),
+             (6, 7, None)]
+            sage: G.add_edge((2, 3))
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 5, None), (0, 6, None),
+             (1, 2, None), (1, 4, None), (2, 3, None), (2, 5, None),
+             (2, 7, None), (3, 4, None), (3, 6, None), (4, 5, None),
+             (5, 7, None), (6, 7, None)]
+            sage: G.add_edges([(0, 4)])
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None), (0, 5, None),
+             (0, 6, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 4, None), (2, 3, None),
+             (2, 5, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 4, None), (3, 6, None),
+             (4, 5, None), (5, 7, None), (6, 7, None)]
+            sage: G.add_edge(2, 4, 'label')
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None), (0, 5, None),
+             (0, 6, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 4, None), (2, 3, None),
+             (2, 4, 'label'), (2, 5, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 4, None),
+             (3, 6, None), (4, 5, None), (5, 7, None), (6, 7, None)]
+            sage: G.add_edge((4, 6, 'label'))
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None), (0, 5, None),
+             (0, 6, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 4, None), (2, 3, None),
+             (2, 4, 'label'), (2, 5, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 4, None),
+             (3, 6, None), (4, 5, None), (4, 6, 'label'), (5, 7, None),
+             (6, 7, None)]
+            sage: G.add_edges([(4, 7, 'label')])
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None), (0, 5, None),
+             (0, 6, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 4, None), (2, 3, None),
+             (2, 4, 'label'), (2, 5, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 4, None),
+             (3, 6, None), (4, 5, None), (4, 6, 'label'), (4, 7, 'label'),
+             (5, 7, None), (6, 7, None)]
+
+        Note that the ``weight`` of the edge shall be input as the ``label``::
+
+            sage: G.add_edge((1, 3), label=5)
+            sage: G.edges()
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None), (0, 5, None),
+             (0, 6, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 3, 5), (1, 4, None),
+             (2, 3, None), (2, 4, 'label'), (2, 5, None), (2, 7, None),
+             (3, 4, None), (3, 6, None), (4, 5, None), (4, 6, 'label'),
+             (4, 7, 'label'), (5, 7, None), (6, 7, None)]
+            sage: G.add_edge((2, 4, 6), label=6)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the graph obtained after the addition of edge
+            (((2, 4, 6), None, 6)) is not matching covered
+
+        Vertex name cannot be ``None``, so::
+
+            sage: W = graphs.WheelGraph(6)
+            sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(W)
+            sage: H.add_edge(None, 1)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the graph obtained after the addition of edge
+            ((None, 1, None)) is not matching covered
+            sage: H.edges(sort=False)  # No alteration to the existing graph
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 2, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None),
+             (0, 5, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 5, None), (2, 3, None),
+             (3, 4, None), (4, 5, None)]
+            sage: H.add_edge(None, None)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the graph obtained after the addition of edge
+            ((None, None, None)) is not matching covered
+            sage: H.edges(sort=False)  # No alteration to the existing graph
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 2, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None),
+             (0, 5, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 5, None), (2, 3, None),
+             (3, 4, None), (4, 5, None)]
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Adding an already existing edge::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: G.add_edge(next(G.edge_iterator()))
+            sage: P == G
+            True
+            sage: G.size()
+            15
+            sage: G.allow_multiple_edges(True)
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 1)
+            sage: G.size()
+            16
+
+        Adding an edge such that the resulting graph is matching covered::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: G.add_edge(1, 4)
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 4, None), (0, 5, None), (1, 2, None),
+             (1, 4, None), (1, 6, None), (2, 3, None), (2, 7, None),
+             (3, 4, None), (3, 8, None), (4, 9, None), (5, 7, None),
+             (5, 8, None), (6, 8, None), (6, 9, None), (7, 9, None)]
+
+        Adding an edge with both the incident vertices being existent such
+        that the resulting graph is not matching covered::
+
+            sage: C = graphs.CycleGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(C)
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 2)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the graph obtained after the addition of edge
+            ((0, 2, None)) is not matching covered
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False) # No alteration to the existing graph
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 3, None), (1, 2, None), (2, 3, None)]
+
+        Adding an edge with exactly one incident vertex that is nonexistent
+        throws a :exc:`ValueError` exception, as the resulting graph would
+        have an odd order::
+
+            sage: C = graphs.CycleGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(C)
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 4)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the graph obtained after the addition of edge
+            ((0, 4, None)) is not matching covered
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False) # No alteration to the existing graph
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 3, None), (1, 2, None), (2, 3, None)]
+
+        Adding an edge with both the incident vertices that is nonexistent
+        throws a :exc:`ValueError` exception, as the resulting graph would
+        have been disconnected::
+
+            sage: C = graphs.CycleGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(C)
+            sage: G.add_edge(4, 5)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the graph obtained after the addition of edge
+            ((4, 5, None)) is not matching covered
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False) # No alteration to the existing graph
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 3, None), (1, 2, None), (2, 3, None)]
+
+        Adding a self-loop::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.HeawoodGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: v = next(G.vertex_iterator())
+            sage: G.add_edge(v, v)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+        """
+        if label is None:
+            if v is None:
+                try:
+                    u, v, label = u
+                except Exception:
+                    try:
+                        u, v = u
+                    except Exception:
+                        pass
+
+        else:
+            if v is None:
+                try:
+                    u, v = u
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+
+        if u in self and v in self:
+            if u == v:
+                raise ValueError('loops are not allowed in '
+                                 'matching covered graphs')
+
+            # If (u, v, label) is a multiple edge/ an existing edge
+            if self.has_edge(u, v):
+                self._backend.add_edge(u, v, label, self._directed)
+                return
+
+            # Check if there exists an M-alternating odd uv path starting and
+            # ending with edges in self._matching
+            from sage.graphs.matching import M_alternating_even_mark
+            w = next((b if a == u else a) for a, b, *_ in self.get_matching() if u in (a, b))
+
+            if v in M_alternating_even_mark(self, w, self.get_matching()):
+                # There exists a perfect matching containing the edge (u, v, label)
+                self._backend.add_edge(u, v, label, self._directed)
+                return
+
+        raise ValueError('the graph obtained after the addition of edge '
+                         '(%s) is not matching covered' % str((u, v, label)))
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def add_edges(self, edges, loops=False):
+        r"""
+        Add edges from an iterable container.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.add_edges` method
+            to ensure that resultant graph is also matching covered.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``edges`` -- an iterable of edges, given either as ``(u, v)``
+          or ``(u, v, 'label')``. If an edge is provided in the format
+          ``(u, v)``, the label is set to ``None``.
+
+        - ``loops`` -- boolean (default: ``False``); note that this shall
+          always be set to either ``False`` or ``None`` (since matching covered
+          graphs are free of loops), in which case all the loops
+          ``(v, v, 'label')`` are removed from the iterator. If ``loops`` is
+          set to ``True``, a :exc:`ValueError` is thrown.
+
+        - Please note that all the loops present in the iterator are ignored,
+          provided that ``loops`` is set to ``False`` or ``None``.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - If ``loops`` is set to ``True``, a :exc:`ValueError` is returned.
+
+        - If ``edges`` is provided with a valid format, but addition of the
+          edges leave the resulting graph not being matching covered, a
+          :exc:`ValueError` is returned without any alteration to the existing
+          matching covered graph. If the addition of the edges preserves the
+          property of matching covered, then the graph is updated and nothing
+          is returned.
+
+        - If ``edges`` is provided with an invalid format, a :exc:`ValueError`
+          is returned.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Providing with an empty list of edges::
+
+            sage: C = graphs.CycleGraph(6)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(C)
+            sage: G.add_edges([])
+            sage: G == C
+            True
+
+        Adding some edges, the incident vertices of each of which are existent,
+        such that the resulting graph is matching covered::
+
+            sage: S = graphs.StaircaseGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(S)
+            sage: F = [(0, 4), (2, 4), (4, 6), (4, 7)]
+            sage: G.add_edges(F)
+            sage: G.edges(sort=True, sort_vertices=True)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None), (0, 6, None),
+             (1, 2, None), (1, 4, None), (2, 4, None), (2, 5, None),
+             (2, 7, None), (3, 4, None), (3, 6, None), (4, 5, None),
+             (4, 6, None), (4, 7, None), (5, 7, None), (6, 7, None)]
+
+        Adding some edges, at least one of the incident vertices of some of
+        which are nonexistent such that the resulting graph is matching
+        covered::
+
+            sage: C = graphs.CycleGraph(8)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(C)
+            sage: F = [(0, 9), (1, 8), (2, 9), (3, 8),
+            ....:      (4, 9), (5, 8), (6, 9), (7, 8)]
+            sage: G.add_edges(F)
+            sage: G.edges(sort=True, sort_vertices=True)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 7, None), (0, 9, None), (1, 2, None),
+             (1, 8, None), (2, 3, None), (2, 9, None), (3, 4, None),
+             (3, 8, None), (4, 5, None), (4, 9, None), (5, 6, None),
+             (5, 8, None), (6, 7, None), (6, 9, None), (7, 8, None)]
+            sage: G.is_isomorphic(graphs.BiwheelGraph(5))
+            True
+
+        Adding a removable double ear to a matching covered graph::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.HexahedralGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: F = {(0, 8, None), (1, 10), (4, 11, 'label'),
+            ....:      (5, 9), (8, 9), (10, 11)}
+            sage: G.add_edges(F)
+            sage: G.edges(sort=True, sort_vertices=True)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None), (0, 8, None),
+             (1, 2, None), (1, 5, None), (1, 10, None), (2, 3, None),
+             (2, 6, None), (3, 7, None), (4, 5, None), (4, 7, None),
+             (4, 11, 'label'), (5, 6, None), (5, 9, None), (6, 7, None),
+             (8, 9, None), (10, 11, None)]
+
+        Adding some edges, the incident vertices of each of which are existent,
+        such that the resulting graph is NOT matching covered::
+
+            sage: C = graphs.CycleGraph(6)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(C)
+            sage: F = [(0, 2), (3, 5)]
+            sage: G.add_edges(F)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the resulting graph after the addition ofthe edges is not matching covered
+
+        Adding some edges, at least one of the incident vertices of some of
+        which are nonexistent such that the resulting graph is NOT matching
+        covered::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.HexahedralGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: F = [(3, 8), (6, 9), (8, 9)]
+            sage: G.add_edges(F)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the resulting graph after the addition ofthe edges is not matching covered
+            sage: I = [(0, 8), (1, 9)]
+            sage: G.add_edges(I)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the resulting graph after the addition ofthe edges is not matching covered
+            sage: J = [(u, 8) for u in range(8)]
+            sage: G.add_edges(J)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: odd order is not allowed for matching covered graphs
+
+        Setting the parameter ``loops`` to either ``False`` or ``None``::
+
+            sage: W = graphs.WheelGraph(6)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(W)
+            sage: F = [(0, 0), (1, 3), (2, 4)]
+            sage: G.add_edges(edges=F, loops=False)
+            sage: G.edges(sort=True, sort_vertices=True)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 2, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None),
+             (0, 5, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 3, None), (1, 5, None),
+             (2, 3, None), (2, 4, None), (3, 4, None), (4, 5, None)]
+            sage: J = [(1, 1), (3, 5)]
+            sage: G.add_edges(edges=J, loops=True)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: G.edges(sort=True, sort_vertices=True)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 2, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None),
+             (0, 5, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 3, None), (1, 5, None),
+             (2, 3, None), (2, 4, None), (3, 4, None), (4, 5, None)]
+
+        Setting the parameter ``loops`` to ``True``::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: F = [(0, 0), (0, 2), (0, 3)]
+            sage: G.add_edges(edges=F, loops=True)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+
+        Adding a multiple edge::
+
+            sage: S = graphs.StaircaseGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(S)
+            sage: G.allow_multiple_edges(True)
+            sage: F = [(0, 1, 'label'), (0, 4), (1, 2)]
+            sage: G.add_edges(F)
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 1, 'label'), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None),
+             (0, 6, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 4, None),
+             (2, 5, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 4, None), (3, 6, None),
+             (4, 5, None), (5, 7, None), (6, 7, None)]
+            sage: H = [(0, 1)] * 4
+            sage: G.add_edges(H)
+            sage: G.edge_label(0, 1)
+            [None, None, None, None, None, 'label']
+
+        TESTS:
+
+        Providing with a non-iterable of edges::
+
+            sage: K2 = graphs.CompleteGraph(2)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(K2)
+            sage: G.add_edges(1234)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: expected an iterable of edges,
+            but got a non-iterable object
+
+        Providing with an edge in ``edges`` that has 0 values to unpack::
+
+            sage: W = graphs.WagnerGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(W)
+            sage: G.add_edges([()])
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: need more than 1 value to unpack for edge: ()
+
+        Providing with an edge in ``edges`` that has precisely one value to unpack::
+
+            sage: T = graphs.TruncatedBiwheelGraph(10)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(T)
+            sage: G.add_edges([(0, )])
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: need more than 1 value to unpack for edge: (0,)
+
+        Providing with an edge in ``edges`` that has more than 3 values to unpack::
+
+            sage: B = graphs.BiwheelGraph(5)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(B)
+            sage: G.add_edges([(0, 1, 2, 3, 4)])
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: too many values to unpack (expected 2) for edge: (0, 1, 2, 3, 4)
+
+        Providing with an edge of unknown data type::
+
+            sage: M = graphs.MurtyGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(M)
+            sage: F = [None, 'edge', None]
+            sage: G.add_edges(F)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            TypeError: input edge None is of unknown type
+        """
+        if loops:
+            raise ValueError('loops are not allowed in '
+                             'matching covered graphs')
+
+        if not edges:  # do nothing
+            return
+
+        from collections.abc import Iterable
+        if not isinstance(edges, Iterable):
+            raise ValueError('expected an iterable of edges, '
+                             'but got a non-iterable object')
+
+        links = []  # to extract the nonloop input edges
+        for edge in edges:
+            if hasattr(edge, '__len__'):
+                if len(edge) <= 1:
+                    raise ValueError('need more than 1 value to unpack '
+                                     f'for edge: {edge}')
+
+                elif len(edge) > 3:
+                    raise ValueError('too many values to unpack (expected 2) '
+                                     f'for edge: {edge}')
+
+            else:
+                raise TypeError(f'input edge {edge} is of unknown type')
+
+            u, v, l = None, None, None
+
+            if len(edge) == 2:
+                u, v = edge
+            else:
+                u, v, l = edge
+
+            if u != v:
+                links.append((u, v, l))
+
+        # If each of the input edges is existent
+        if (self.allows_multiple_edges()
+            and all(self.has_edge(*edge) for edge in links)):
+            self._backend.add_edges(links, self._directed)
+            return
+
+        # Check if all the incident vertices of the input edges are existent
+        new_vertices = {x for u, v, _ in links for x in (u, v)
+                        if x not in self}
+
+        # Throw error if the no. of new vertices is odd
+        if len(new_vertices) % 2:
+            raise ValueError('odd order is not allowed for '
+                             'matching covered graphs')
+
+        try:
+            G = Graph(self, multiedges=self.allows_multiple_edges())
+            G.add_edges(edges=links, loops=loops)
+
+            # Check if G has a vertex with at most 1 neighbor
+            if any(len(G.neighbors(v)) <= 1 for v in G):
+                raise ValueError('the resulting graph after the addition of'
+                                 'the edges is not matching covered')
+
+            # If all the vertices are existent, the existing perfect matching
+            # can be used.
+            if not new_vertices:
+                self.__init__(data=G, matching=self.get_matching())
+
+            else:
+                # Check if the existing perfect matching may be extended to a
+                # perfect matching of the new graph
+                links_with_two_new_vertices = []
+
+                for edge in links:
+                    if edge[0] in new_vertices and edge[1] in new_vertices:
+                        links_with_two_new_vertices.append(edge)
+
+                M = Graph(data=links_with_two_new_vertices, format='list_of_edges')
+                M.add_edges(self.get_matching())
+
+                # Check if M is a perfect matching of the resulting graph
+                if (G.order() != 2*M.size()):
+                    M = None
+
+                self.__init__(data=G, matching=M)
+
+        except Exception:
+            raise ValueError('the resulting graph after the addition of'
+                             'the edges is not matching covered')
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def add_vertex(self, name=None):
+        r"""
+        Add a vertex to the (matching covered) graph.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.add_vertex` method
+            to ensure that isolated vertices are forbidden in
+            :class:`~MatchingCoveredGraph`.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``name`` -- an immutable object (default: ``None``); when no name is
+          specified (default), then the new vertex will be represented by the
+          least integer not already representing a vertex. ``name`` must be an
+          immutable object (e.g., an integer, a tuple, etc.).
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - If ``name`` specifies an existing vertex, then nothing is done.
+          Otherwise a :exc:`ValueError` is returned with no change to the
+          existing (matching covered) graph is returned since matching covered
+          graphs are free of isolated vertices.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Adding an existing vertex::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: P
+            Petersen graph: Graph on 10 vertices
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered petersen graph: graph on 10 vertices
+            sage: u = next(G.vertex_iterator())
+            sage: G.add_vertex(u)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered petersen graph: graph on 10 vertices
+
+        Adding a new/ non-existing vertex::
+
+            sage: G.add_vertex()
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: isolated vertices are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: u = 100
+            sage: G.add_vertex(u)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: isolated vertices are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+        """
+        if name not in self:
+            raise ValueError('isolated vertices are not allowed in '
+                             'matching covered graphs')
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def add_vertices(self, vertices):
+        r"""
+        Add vertices to the (matching covered) graph from an iterable container
+        of vertices.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.add_vertices` method
+            to ensure that isolated vertices are forbidden in
+            :class:`~MatchingCoveredGraph`.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``vertices`` -- iterator container of vertex labels. A new label is
+          created, used and returned in the output list for all ``None`` values
+          in ``vertices``.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - If all of the vertices are existing vertices of the (matching
+          covered) graph, then nothing is done; otherwise a :exc:`ValueError`
+          is returned with no change to the existing (matching covered) graph
+          since matching covered graphs are free of isolated vertices.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Adding a list of already existing vertices::
+
+            sage: T = graphs.TruncatedBiwheelGraph(15)
+            sage: T
+            Truncated biwheel graph: Graph on 30 vertices
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(T)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered truncated biwheel graph: graph on 30 vertices
+            sage: S = [0, 1, 2, 3]  # We choose 4 existing vertices
+            sage: G.add_vertices(S)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered truncated biwheel graph: graph on 30 vertices
+
+        Adding a list of vertices in which at least one is non-existent or
+        ``None`` or possibly both::
+
+            sage: T = graphs.CompleteGraph(2)
+            sage: T
+            Complete graph: Graph on 2 vertices
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(T)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered complete graph: graph on 2 vertices
+            sage: S1 = [2, 3, 4]
+            sage: G.add_vertices(S1)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: isolated vertices are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: S2 = [None, None]
+            sage: G.add_vertices(S2)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: isolated vertices are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: S3 = [2, None, None, 5]
+            sage: G.add_vertices(S3)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: isolated vertices are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+        """
+        if any(vertex not in self for vertex in vertices):
+            raise ValueError('isolated vertices are not allowed in '
+                             'matching covered graphs')
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def allow_loops(self, new, check=True):
+        r"""
+        Change whether loops are allowed in (matching covered) graphs.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.allow_loops` method
+            to ensure that loops are forbidden in :class:`~MatchingCoveredGraph`.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``new`` -- boolean
+
+        - ``check`` -- boolean (default: ``True``); whether to remove existing
+          loops from the graph when the new status is ``False``. It is an
+          argument in
+          :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.allow_loops` method
+          and is not used in this overwritten one.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - A :exc:`ValueError` is returned with no change to the existing
+          (matching covered) graph if ``new`` is ``True`` since a matching
+          covered graph, by definition, is free of self-loops. If ``new`` is
+          set to ``False``, there is no output.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Petersen graph is matching covered::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: P.is_matching_covered()
+            True
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: G.allow_loops(True)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+
+        .. SEEALSO::
+
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.allows_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.has_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loop_edges`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loop_vertices`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.number_of_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.remove_loops`
+        """
+        if new:
+            raise ValueError('loops are not allowed in '
+                             'matching covered graphs')
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def allows_loops(self):
+        r"""
+        Return whether loops are permitted in (matching covered) graphs.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.allows_loops` method
+            to show that loops are forbidden in :class:`~MatchingCoveredGraph`.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - A boolean value ``False`` is returned, since matching covered graphs,
+          by definition, are free of loops.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Petersen graph is matching covered::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: P.is_matching_covered()
+            True
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: G.allows_loops()
+            False
+
+        .. SEEALSO::
+
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.allow_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.has_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loop_edges`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loop_vertices`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.number_of_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.remove_loops`
+        """
+        return False
+
+    @doc_index('Barriers and canonical partition')
+    def canonical_partition(self):
+        r"""
+        Return the canonical partition of the (matching covered) graph.
+
+        For a matching covered graph `G`, a subset `B` of the vertex set `V` is
+        a barrier if `|B| = o(G - B)`, where `|B|` denotes the cardinality of
+        the set `B` and `o(G - B)` denotes the number of odd components in the
+        graph `G - B`. And a barrier `B` is a maximal barrier if `C` is not a
+        barrier for each `C` such that `B \subset C \subseteq V`.
+
+        Note that in a matching covered graph, each vertex belongs to a unique
+        maximal barrier. The maximal barriers of a matching covered graph
+        partitions its vertex set and the partition of the vertex set of a
+        matching covered graph into its maximal barriers is called as its
+        *canonical* *partition*.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - A list of sets that constitute a (canonical) partition of the vertex
+          set, wherein each set is a (unique) maximal barrier of the (matching
+          covered) graph.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Show the maximal barrier of the graph `K_4 \odot K_{3, 3}`::
+
+            sage: G = Graph([
+            ....:    (0, 2), (0, 3), (0, 4), (1, 2),
+            ....:    (1, 3), (1, 4), (2, 5), (3, 6),
+            ....:    (4, 7), (5, 6), (5, 7), (6, 7)
+            ....: ])
+            sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+            sage: H.canonical_partition()
+            [{0}, {1}, {2, 3, 4}, {5}, {6}, {7}]
+
+        For a bicritical graph (for instance, the Petersen graph), the
+        canonical partition constitutes of only singleton sets each containing
+        an individual vertex::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: G.canonical_partition()
+            [{0}, {1}, {2}, {3}, {4}, {5}, {6}, {7}, {8}, {9}]
+
+        For a bipartite matching covered graph (for instance, the Hexahedral
+        graph), the canonical partition consists of two sets each of which
+        corresponds to the individual color class::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.HexahedralGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.canonical_partition()
+            [{0, 2, 5, 7}, {1, 3, 4, 6}]
+            sage: B = BipartiteGraph(H)
+            sage: list(B.bipartition()) == G.canonical_partition()
+            True
+
+        REFERENCES:
+
+            - [LM2024]_
+
+        .. SEEALSO::
+
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.graph.Graph.is_bicritical`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.graph.Graph.is_matching_covered`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.maximal_barrier`
+        """
+        visited = set()
+
+        maximal_barriers = []
+        for v in self:
+            if v not in visited:
+                B = self.maximal_barrier(v)
+                visited.update(B)
+                maximal_barriers.append(B)
+
+        return maximal_barriers
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def delete_vertex(self, vertex, in_order=False):
+        r"""
+        Delete a vertex, removing all incident edges.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.delete_vertex`
+            method to ensure that an odd order is forbidden in
+            :class:`~MatchingCoveredGraph`.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``vertex`` -- a vertex that is to be deleted.
+
+        - ``in_order`` -- boolean (default: ``False``); if ``True``, this
+          deletes the `i`-th vertex in the sorted list of vertices, i.e.
+          ``G.vertices(sort=True)[i]``
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - Deleting a non-existent vertex raises a :exc:`ValueError` exception;
+          also a (different) :exc:`ValueError` is returned on deleting an
+          existing vertex since matching covered graphs are of even order. In
+          both cases no modifications are made to the existing (matching
+          covered) graph.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Deleting a non-existent vertex::
+
+            sage: W = graphs.WheelGraph(12)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(W)
+            sage: u = 100
+            sage: G.delete_vertex(u)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: vertex (100) not in the graph
+            sage: G.delete_vertex(vertex=u, in_order=True)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: vertex (100) not in the graph
+
+        Deleting an existing vertex::
+
+            sage: W = graphs.WheelGraph(12)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(W)
+            sage: u = next(G.vertex_iterator())
+            sage: G.delete_vertex(u)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: odd order is not allowed for matching covered graphs
+            sage: G.delete_vertex(vertex=u, in_order=True)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: odd order is not allowed for matching covered graphs
+        """
+        if vertex not in self:
+            raise ValueError('vertex (%s) not in the graph' % str(vertex))
+
+        if in_order:
+            vertex = self.vertices(sort=True)[vertex]
+
+        raise ValueError('odd order is not allowed for '
+                         'matching covered graphs')
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def delete_vertices(self, vertices):
+        r"""
+        Delete specified vertices form ``self``.
+
+        This method deletes the vertices from the iterable container
+        ``vertices`` from ``self`` along with incident edges. An error is
+        raised if the resulting graph is not matching covered.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.delete_vertices`
+            method to ensure that an odd order is forbidden in
+            :class:`~MatchingCoveredGraph`.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``vertices`` -- a list/ set of vertices that are to be deleted.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - Deleting a non-existent vertex will raise a :exc:`ValueError`
+          exception, in which case none of the vertices in ``vertices``
+          is deleted.
+
+        - If all of the vertices in the list/ set provided exist in the graph,
+          but the resulting graph after deletion of all of those is not
+          matching covered, then a :exc:`ValueError` exception is raised
+          without any alterations to the existing (matching covered) graph,
+          otherwise the vertices are deleted and nothing is returned.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Providing with an empty list of vertices::
+
+            sage: C = graphs.CycleGraph(6)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(C)
+            sage: G.delete_vertices([])
+            sage: G == C
+            True
+
+        Removing all the existent vertices::
+
+            sage: M = graphs.MoebiusLadderGraph(10)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(M)
+            sage: S = list(G.vertices())
+            sage: G.delete_vertices(S)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the resulting graph after the removal of the vertices
+            is trivial, therefore is not matching covered
+
+        Providing with a list of vertices with at least one non-existent
+        vertex::
+
+            sage: S = graphs.StaircaseGraph(4)
+            sage: S
+            Staircase graph: Graph on 8 vertices
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(S)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered staircase graph: graph on 8 vertices
+            sage: T = list(range(5, 20, 2))
+            sage: G.delete_vertices(T)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: vertex (9) not in the graph
+
+        Removing an odd no. of distinct vertices from
+        a matching covered graph::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: S = [0, 1, 2, 10, 10, 100]
+            sage: G.delete_vertices(S)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: an odd no. of distinct vertices can not be
+            removed from a matching covered graph
+
+        Providing with a list of existent vertices whose deletion results in a
+        graph which is not matching covered::
+
+            sage: S = graphs.StaircaseGraph(4)
+            sage: S
+            Staircase graph: Graph on 8 vertices
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(S)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered staircase graph: graph on 8 vertices
+            sage: T = [1, 4]
+            sage: G.delete_vertices(T)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the resulting graph after the removal of
+            the vertices is not matching covered
+
+        Providing with a list of existent vertices after the deletion of which
+        the resulting graph is still matching covered; note that in the
+        following example, after the deletion of two vertices from a staircase
+        graph, the resulting graph is NOT a staircase graph
+        (see :issue:`38768`)::
+
+            sage: S = graphs.StaircaseGraph(4)
+            sage: S
+            Staircase graph: Graph on 8 vertices
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(S)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered staircase graph: graph on 8 vertices
+            sage: T = [6, 7]
+            sage: G.delete_vertices(T)
+            sage: G  # Matching covered graph on 6 vertices
+            Matching covered staircase graph: graph on 6 vertices
+        """
+        if not vertices:   # do nothing
+            return
+
+        # Remove potentially duplicated vertices
+        vertices = set(vertices)
+
+        if len(vertices) % 2:  # try to remove an odd number of vertices
+            raise ValueError('an odd no. of distinct vertices can not be '
+                             'removed from a matching covered graph')
+
+        for vertex in vertices:
+            if vertex not in self:
+                raise ValueError('vertex (%s) not in the graph' % str(vertex))
+
+        if self.order() == len(vertices):
+            raise ValueError('the resulting graph after the removal of the '
+                             'vertices is trivial, therefore is not '
+                             'matching covered')
+
+        try:
+            G = Graph(self, multiedges=self.allows_multiple_edges())
+            G.delete_vertices(vertices)
+
+            M = Graph(self.get_matching())
+
+            M.delete_vertices(vertices)
+            # The resulting matching after the removal of the input vertices
+            # must be a valid perfect matching of the resulting graph obtained
+            # after the removal of the vertices
+
+            if (G.order() != 2*M.size()):
+                M = None
+
+            self.__init__(data=G, matching=M)
+
+        except Exception:
+            raise ValueError('the resulting graph after the removal of '
+                             'the vertices is not matching covered')
+
+    @doc_index('Miscellaneous methods')
+    def get_matching(self):
+        r"""
+        Return an :class:`~EdgesView` of ``self._matching``.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - This method returns :class:`EdgesView` of the edges of a
+          perfect matching of the (matching covered) graph.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        If one specifies a perfect matching while initializing the object, the
+        value of ``self._matching`` is the same matching::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: M = [(0, 1), (2, 3), (4, 9), (5, 7), (6, 8)]
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P, M)
+            sage: sorted(G.get_matching())
+            [(0, 1), (2, 3), (4, 9), (5, 7), (6, 8)]
+            sage: M == sorted(G.get_matching())
+            True
+
+        If no matching is specified while initializing a matching
+        covered graph, a perfect matching is computed
+        :meth:`~sage.graphs.graph.Graph.matching` and that is captured as
+        ``self._matching``::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: M = P.matching()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: sorted(G.get_matching())
+            [(0, 5, None), (1, 6, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 8, None), (4, 9, None)]
+            sage: sorted(M) == sorted(G.get_matching())
+            True
+        """
+        return self._matching
+
+    @doc_index('Barriers and canonical partition')
+    def maximal_barrier(self, vertex):
+        r"""
+        Return the (unique) maximal barrier containing the vertex.
+
+        For a matching covered graph `G`, a subset `B` of the vertex set `V` is
+        a barrier if `|B| = o(G - B)`, where `|B|` denotes the cardinality of
+        the set `B` and `o(G - B)` denotes the number of odd components in the
+        graph `G - B`. And a barrier `B` is a maximal barrier if `C` is not a
+        barrier for each `C` such that `B \subset C \subseteq V`.
+
+        In a matching covered graph, each vertex belongs to a unique maximal
+        barrier, which is a consequence of the following theorem.
+
+        .. RUBRIC:: Theorem [LM2024]_:
+
+        Let `u` and `v` be any two vertices in a matchable graph `G`. Then the
+        graph `G - u - v` is matchable if and only if there is no barrier of
+        `G` which contains both `u` and `v`.
+
+        And in order to find the vertices that do not lie in the maximal
+        barrier containing the provided vertex in linear time we take
+        inspiration of the `M` alternating tree seach method [LR2004]_.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``vertex`` -- a vertex of the graph
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - A :exc:`~ValueError` is returned if ``vertex`` is not a vertex of the
+          graph, otherwise a set of vertices that constitute the (unique)
+          maximal barrier containing the vertex is returned.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        The graph `K_4 \odot K_{3, 3}` is matching covered. Show the set of
+        vertices in the (unique) maximal barrier containing the vertex `2`::
+
+            sage: G = Graph([
+            ....:    (0, 2), (0, 3), (0, 4), (1, 2),
+            ....:    (1, 3), (1, 4), (2, 5), (3, 6),
+            ....:    (4, 7), (5, 6), (5, 7), (6, 7)
+            ....: ])
+            sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+            sage: B = H.maximal_barrier(2)
+            sage: B
+            {2, 3, 4}
+
+        Let `B` be a maximal barrier of a matching covered graph `G` (which is,
+        of course, a matchable graph). The graph, `J := G - B` has no even
+        component::
+
+            sage: J = G.copy()
+            sage: J.delete_vertices(B)
+            sage: all(len(K)%2 != 0 for K in J.connected_components(sort=True))
+            True
+
+        Let `B` be a maximal barrier in a matching covered graph `G` and let
+        `M` be a perfect matching of `G`. If `K` is an odd component of
+        `J := G - B`, then `M \cap \partial_G(K)` has precisely one edge and if
+        `v` is the end of that edge in `V(K)`, then `M \cap E(K)` is a perfect
+        matching of `K - v`::
+
+            sage: K = J.subgraph(vertices=(J.connected_components(sort=True))[0])
+            sage: # Let F := \partial_G(K) and T := M \cap F
+            sage: F = [edge for edge in G.edge_iterator()
+            ....:      if (edge[0] in K and edge[1] not in K)
+            ....:      or (edge[0] not in K and edge[1] in K)
+            ....: ]
+            sage: M = H.get_matching()
+            sage: T = [edge for edge in F if edge in M]
+            sage: len(T) == 1
+            True
+            sage: v = T[0][0] if T[0][0] in K else T[0][1]
+            sage: # Let N := M \cap E(K) and L := K - v
+            sage: N = Graph([edge for edge in K.edge_iterator() if edge in M])
+            sage: L = K.copy()
+            sage: L.delete_vertex(v)
+            sage: # Check if N is a perfect matching of L
+            sage: L.order() == 2*N.size()
+            True
+
+        Let `B` be a maximal barrier of a matching covered graph `G` (which is,
+        of course, a matchable graph). The graph induced by each component of
+        `G - B` is factor critical::
+
+            sage: all((K.subgraph(vertices=connected_component)).is_factor_critical()
+            ....:     for connected_component in K.connected_components(sort=True)
+            ....: )
+            True
+
+        For a bicritical graph (for instance, the Petersen graph), for each
+        vertex the maximal barrier is a singleton set containing only that
+        vertex::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: u = 0
+            sage: set([u]) == G.maximal_barrier(u)
+            True
+
+        In a bipartite matching covered graph (for instance, the Hexahedral
+        graph), for a vertex, the maximal barrier is the set of vertices of
+        the color class that the particular vertex belongs to. In other words,
+        there are precisely two maximal barriers in a bipartite matching
+        covered graph, that is, the vertex sets of the individual color class::
+
+            sage: G = graphs.HexahedralGraph()
+            sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(G)
+            sage: A, _ = H.bipartite_sets()
+            sage: # needs random
+            sage: import random
+            sage: a = random.choice(list(A))
+            sage: A == H.maximal_barrier(a)
+            True
+
+        Maximal barriers of matching covered graph constitute a partition of
+        its vertex set::
+
+            sage: S = set()
+            sage: for v in H:
+            ....:     B = tuple(sorted(list(H.maximal_barrier(v))))
+            ....:     S.add(B)
+            sage: S = list(S)
+            sage: # Check that S is a partition of the vertex set of H
+            sage: # Part 1: Check if S spans the vertex set of H
+            sage: sorted([u for B in S for u in B]) == sorted(list(H))
+            True
+            sage: # Part 2: Check if each maximal barrier in S is disjoint
+            sage: is_disjoint = True
+            sage: for i in range(len(S)):
+            ....:     for j in range(i+1, len(S)):
+            ....:         c = [v for v in S[i] if v in S[j]]
+            ....:         is_disjoint = (len(c) == 0)
+            sage: is_disjoint
+            True
+
+        TESTS:
+
+        Providing with a nonexistent vertex::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: G.maximal_barrier('')
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: vertex  not in the graph
+            sage: G.maximal_barrier(100)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: vertex 100 not in the graph
+
+        REFERENCES:
+
+        - [LZ2004]_
+        - [LM2024]_
+
+        .. SEEALSO::
+
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.graph.Graph.is_bicritical`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.graph.Graph.is_matching_covered`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.canonical_partition`
+        """
+        if vertex not in self:
+            raise ValueError('vertex {} not in the graph'.format(vertex))
+
+        # u: The M neighbor of vertex
+        matching = self.get_matching()
+        u = next((a if b == vertex else b) for a, b, *_ in matching if vertex in [a, b])
+
+        # Goal: Find the vertices w such that G - w - vertex is matchable.
+        # In other words, there exists an odd length M-alternating vertex-w
+        # path in G, starting and ending with edges in M. Alternatively, there
+        # exists an even length M-alternating u-w path in the graph G - vertex
+        # starting with an edge not in M and ending with and edge in M.
+
+        # even: The set of all such vertex w
+        from sage.graphs.matching import M_alternating_even_mark
+        even = M_alternating_even_mark(G=self, matching=matching,
+                                       vertex=u)
+
+        B = set([vertex])
+        B.update(v for v in self if v not in even)
+
+        return B
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def has_loops(self) -> bool:
+        r"""
+        Check whether there are loops in the (matching covered) graph.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.has_loops` method in
+            order to return ``False`` as matching covered graphs are always
+            free of looped edges.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - A boolean ``False`` is returned since matching covered graphs, by
+          definition, are free of self-loops.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        A matching covered graph, for instance the Petersen graph, is always free
+        of loops::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered petersen graph: graph on 10 vertices
+            sage: G.has_loops()
+            False
+            sage: G.allows_loops()
+            False
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 0)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+
+        A matching covered graph may support multiple edges, still no
+        loops are allowed::
+
+            sage: K = graphs.CompleteGraph(2)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(K)
+            sage: G.allow_multiple_edges(True)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered complete graph: multi-graph on 2 vertices
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 1, 'label')
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 0)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 1, 'label')]
+            sage: G.allows_loops()
+            False
+            sage: G.has_loops()
+            False
+            sage: G.allow_loops(True)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+
+        .. SEEALSO::
+
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.allow_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.allows_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loop_edges`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loop_vertices`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.number_of_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.remove_loops`
+        """
+        return False
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def has_perfect_matching(G, algorithm='Edmonds', solver=None, verbose=0,
+                             *, integrality_tolerance=1e-3):
+        r"""
+        Check whether the graph has a perfect matching.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.graph.Graph.has_perfect_matching` method in
+            order to return ``True`` (provided the input arguments are valid)
+            as matching covered graphs always admit a perfect matching.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``algorithm`` -- string (default: ``'Edmonds'``)
+
+          - ``'Edmonds'`` uses Edmonds' algorithm as implemented in NetworkX to
+            find a matching of maximal cardinality, then check whether this
+            cardinality is half the number of vertices of the graph.
+
+          - ``'LP_matching'`` uses a Linear Program to find a matching of
+            maximal cardinality, then check whether this cardinality is half the
+            number of vertices of the graph.
+
+          - ``'LP'`` uses a Linear Program formulation of the perfect matching
+            problem: put a binary variable ``b[e]`` on each edge `e`, and for
+            each vertex `v`, require that the sum of the values of the edges
+            incident to `v` is 1.
+
+        - ``solver`` -- string (default: ``None``); specifies a Mixed Integer
+          Linear Programming (MILP) solver to be used. If set to ``None``, the
+          default one is used. For more information on MILP solvers and which
+          default solver is used, see the method :meth:`solve
+          <sage.numerical.mip.MixedIntegerLinearProgram.solve>` of the class
+          :class:`MixedIntegerLinearProgram
+          <sage.numerical.mip.MixedIntegerLinearProgram>`.
+
+        - ``verbose`` -- integer (default: 0); sets the level of verbosity:
+          set to 0 by default, which means quiet (only useful when
+          ``algorithm == "LP_matching"`` or ``algorithm == "LP"``)
+
+        - ``integrality_tolerance`` -- float; parameter for use with MILP
+          solvers over an inexact base ring; see
+          :meth:`MixedIntegerLinearProgram.get_values`.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - If the input arguments are valid, a boolean (``True``) is returned as
+          a maximum matching of a matching covered graph is always a perfect
+          matching, otherwise a :exc:`~ValueError` is raised.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Note that regardless of the algorithm (as long as the input arguments
+        are in valid format), the method always returns the boolean ``True``::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: P.has_perfect_matching()  # Calls Graph.has_perfect_matching()
+            True
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: G.has_perfect_matching()  # Calls MatchingCoveredGraph.has_perfect_matching()
+            True
+            sage: W = graphs.WheelGraph(6)
+            sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(W)
+            sage: H.has_perfect_matching(algorithm='LP_matching')
+            True
+
+        Providing with an algorithm, that is not one of ``'Edmonds'``,
+        ``'LP_matching'`` or ``'LP'``::
+
+            sage: S = graphs.StaircaseGraph(4)
+            sage: J = MatchingCoveredGraph(S)
+            sage: J.has_perfect_matching(algorithm='algorithm')
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: algorithm must be set to 'Edmonds',
+            'LP_matching' or 'LP'
+        """
+        if algorithm in ['Edmonds', 'LP_matching', 'LP']:
+            return True
+
+        raise ValueError('algorithm must be set to \'Edmonds\', '
+                         '\'LP_matching\' or \'LP\'')
+
+    @doc_index('Bricks, braces and tight cut decomposition')
+    def is_brace(self, coNP_certificate=False):
+        r"""
+        Check if the (matching covered) graph is a brace.
+
+        A matching covered graph which is free of nontrivial tight cuts is
+        called a *brace* if it is bipartite. Let `G := (A \cup B, E)` be a
+        bipartite matching covered graph on six or more vertices. The
+        following statements are equivalent [LM2024]_:
+
+        1. `G` is a brace (aka free of nontrivial tight cuts).
+        2. `G - a_1 - a_2 - b_1 - b_2` has a perfect matching for any two
+           distinct vertices `a_1` and `a_2` in `A` and any two distinct
+           vertices `b_1` and `b_2` in `B`.
+        3. `G` is two extendable (any two nonadjacent distinct edges can be
+           extended to some perfect matching of `G`).
+        4. `|N(X)| \geq |X| + 2`, for all `X ⊂ A` such that `0 < |X| <
+           |A| - 1`, where `N(S) := \{b \mid (a, b) \in E ∧ a \in S\}` is called
+           the neighboring set of `S`.
+        5. `G - a - b` is matching covered, for some perfect matching `M` of
+           `G` and for each edge `ab` in `M`.
+
+        We shall be using the 5th characterization mentioned above in order
+        to determine whether the provided bipartite matching covered graph
+        is a brace or not using *M*-alternating tree search [LZ2001]_.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``coNP_certificate`` -- boolean (default: ``False``)
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - If the input matching covered graph is not bipartite, a
+          :exc:`ValueError` is returned.
+
+        - If the input bipartite matching covered graph is a brace, a boolean
+          ``True`` is returned if ``coNP_certificate`` is set to ``False``
+          otherwise a 5-tuple ``(True, None, None, None, None)`` is returned.
+
+        - If the input bipartite matching covered graph is not a brace, a
+          boolean ``False`` is returned if ``coNP_certificate`` is set to
+          ``False`` otherwise a 5-tuple of
+
+          1. a boolean ``False``,
+
+          2. a list of edges constituting a nontrivial tight cut (which is a
+             nontrivial barrier cut)
+
+          3. a set of vertices of one of the shores of the nontrivial tight cut
+
+          4. a string 'nontrivial tight cut'
+
+          5. a set of vertices showing the respective barrier
+
+          is returned.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        The complete graph on two vertices `K_2` is the smallest brace::
+
+            sage: K = graphs.CompleteGraph(2)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(K)
+            sage: G.is_brace()
+            True
+
+        The cycle graph on four vertices `C_4` is a brace::
+
+            sage: C = graphs.CycleGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(C)
+            sage: G.is_brace()
+            True
+
+        Each graph that is isomorphic to a biwheel is a brace::
+
+            sage: B = graphs.BiwheelGraph(15)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(B)
+            sage: G.is_brace()
+            True
+
+        A circular ladder graph of order eight or more on `2n` vertices for
+        an even `n` is a brace::
+
+            sage: n = 10
+            sage: CL = graphs.CircularLadderGraph(n)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(CL)
+            sage: G.is_brace()
+            True
+
+        A moebius ladder graph of order six or more on `2n` vertices for an odd
+        `n` is a brace::
+
+            sage: n = 11
+            sage: ML = graphs.MoebiusLadderGraph(n)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(ML)
+            sage: G.is_brace()
+            True
+
+        Note that the union of the above mentioned four families of braces,
+        that are:
+
+        1. the biwheel graph ``BiwheelGraph(n)``,
+        2. the circular ladder graph ``CircularLadderGraph(n)`` for even ``n``,
+        3. the moebius ladder graph ``MoebiusLadderGraph(n)`` for odd ``n``,
+
+        is referred to as the *McCuaig* *family* *of* *braces.*
+
+        The only simple brace of order six is the complete graph of the same
+        order, that is `K_{3, 3}`::
+
+            sage: L = list(graphs(6,
+            ....:          lambda G: G.size() <= 15 and
+            ....:                    G.is_bipartite())
+            ....: )
+            sage: L = list(G for G in L if G.is_connected() and
+            ....:                          G.is_matching_covered()
+            ....: )
+            sage: M = list(MatchingCoveredGraph(G) for G in L)
+            sage: B = list(G for G in M if G.is_brace())
+            sage: K = graphs.CompleteBipartiteGraph(3, 3)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(K)
+            sage: next(iter(B)).is_isomorphic(G)
+            True
+
+        The nonplanar `K_{3, 3}`-free brace Heawood graph is the unique cubic
+        graph of girth six with the fewest number of vertices (that is 14).
+        Note that by `K_{3, 3}`-free, it shows that the Heawood graph does not
+        contain a subgraph that is isomophic to a graph obtained by
+        bisubdivision of `K_{3, 3}`::
+
+            sage: K = graphs.CompleteBipartiteGraph(3, 3)
+            sage: J = graphs.HeawoodGraph()
+            sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(J)
+            sage: H.is_brace() and not H.is_planar() and \
+            ....: H.is_regular(k=3) and H.girth() == 6
+            True
+
+        Braces of order six or more are 3-connected::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.HexahedralGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.is_brace() and G.is_triconnected()
+            True
+
+        Braces of order four or more are 2-extendable::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.EllinghamHorton54Graph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.is_brace()
+            True
+            sage: e = next(G.edge_iterator(labels=False)); f = None
+            sage: for f in G.edge_iterator(labels=False):
+            ....:     if not (set(e) & set(f)):
+            ....:          break
+            sage: S = [u for x in [e, f] for u in set(x)]
+            sage: J = H.copy(); J.delete_vertices(S)
+            sage: M = Graph(J.matching())
+            sage: M.add_edges([e, f])
+            sage: if all(d == 1 for d in M.degree()) and \
+            ....:    G.order() == M.order() and \
+            ....:    G.order() == 2*M.size():
+            ....:      print(f'graph {G} is 2-extendable')
+            graph Ellingham-Horton 54-graph is 2-extendable
+
+        Every edge in a brace of order at least six is removable::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.CircularLadderGraph(8)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: # len(G.removble_edges()) == G.size()
+            # True
+
+        Every brace of order eight has the hexahedral graph as a spanning
+        subgraph::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.HexahedralGraph()
+            sage: L = list(graphs(8,
+            ....:          lambda G: G.size() <= 28 and
+            ....:                    G.is_bipartite())
+            ....: )
+            sage: L = list(G for G in L if G.is_connected() and
+            ....:                          G.is_matching_covered()
+            ....: )
+            sage: M = list(MatchingCoveredGraph(G) for G in L)
+            sage: B = list(G for G in M if G.is_brace())
+            sage: C = list(G for G in M if Graph(G).subgraph_search(H) is not None)
+            sage: B == C
+            True
+
+        For every brace `G[A, B]` of order at least six, the graph
+        `G - a_1 - a_2 - b_1 - b_2` has a perfect matching for any two distinct
+        vertices `a_1` and `a_2` in `A` and any two distinct vertices `b_1` and
+        `b_2` in `B`::
+
+            sage: H =  graphs.CompleteBipartiteGraph(10, 10)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.is_brace()
+            True
+            sage: S = [0, 1, 10, 12]
+            sage: G.delete_vertices(S)
+            sage: G.has_perfect_matching()
+            True
+
+        For a brace `G[A, B]` of order six or more, `|N(X)| \geq |X| + 2`, for
+        all `X \subset A` such that `0 < |X| <|A| - 1`, where
+        `N(S) := \{b | (a, b) \in E \^ a \in S\}` is called the neighboring set
+        of `S`::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.MoebiusLadderGraph(15)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.is_brace()
+            True
+            sage: A, _ = G.bipartite_sets()
+            sage: # needs random
+            sage: X = random.sample(list(A), random.randint(1, len(A) - 1))
+            sage: N = {v for u in X for v in G.neighbor_iterator(u)}
+            sage: len(N) >= len(X) + 2
+            True
+
+        For a brace `G` of order four or more with a perfect matching `M`, the
+        graph `G - a - b` is matching covered for each edge `(a, b)` in `M`::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.HeawoodGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.is_brace()
+            True
+            sage: M = G.get_matching()
+            sage: L = []
+            sage: for a, b, *_ in M:
+            ....:     J = G.copy(); J.delete_vertices([a, b])
+            ....:     if J.is_matching_covered():
+            ....:          L.append(J)
+            sage: len(L) == len(M)
+            True
+
+        A cycle graph of order six or more is a bipartite matching covered
+        graph, but is not a brace::
+
+            sage: C = graphs.CycleGraph(10)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(C)
+            sage: G.is_brace()
+            False
+
+        A ladder graph of order six or more is a bipartite matching covered
+        graph, that is not a brace. The tight cut decomposition of a ladder
+        graph produces a list graphs the underlying graph of each of which
+        is isomorphic to a 4-cycle::
+
+            sage: L = graphs.LadderGraph(10)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(L)
+            sage: G.is_brace()
+            False
+
+        One may set the ``coNP_certificate`` to be ``True``::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.HexahedralGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.is_brace(coNP_certificate=True)
+            (True, None, None, None, None)
+            sage: C = graphs.CycleGraph(6)
+            sage: D = MatchingCoveredGraph(C)
+            sage: is_brace, nontrivial_tight_cut, nontrivial_odd_component, \
+            ....: nontrivial_tight_cut_variant, cut_identifier = \
+            ....: D.is_brace(coNP_certificate=True)
+            sage: is_brace is False
+            True
+            sage: J = C.subgraph(vertices=nontrivial_odd_component)
+            sage: J.is_isomorphic(graphs.PathGraph(3))
+            True
+            sage: len(nontrivial_tight_cut) == 2
+            True
+            sage: nontrivial_tight_cut_variant
+            'nontrivial barrier cut'
+            sage: # Corresponding barrier
+            sage: cut_identifier == {a for u, v, *_ in nontrivial_tight_cut for a in [u, v] \
+            ....: if a not in nontrivial_odd_component}
+            True
+            sage: for u, v, *_ in nontrivial_tight_cut:
+            ....:     assert (u in nontrivial_odd_component and v not in nontrivial_odd_component)
+            sage: L = graphs.LadderGraph(3) # A ladder graph with two constituent braces
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(L)
+            sage: is_brace, nontrivial_tight_cut, nontrivial_odd_component, cut_variant, cut_identifier = \
+            ....: G.is_brace(coNP_certificate=True)
+            sage: is_brace is False
+            True
+            sage: G1 = L.copy()
+            sage: G1.merge_vertices(list(nontrivial_odd_component))
+            sage: G1.to_simple().is_isomorphic(graphs.CycleGraph(4))
+            True
+            sage: G2 = L.copy()
+            sage: G2.merge_vertices([v for v in G if v not in nontrivial_odd_component])
+            sage: G2.to_simple().is_isomorphic(graphs.CycleGraph(4))
+            True
+            sage: cut_variant
+            'nontrivial barrier cut'
+            sage: cut_identifier == {a for u, v, *_ in nontrivial_tight_cut for a in [u, v] \
+            ....: if a not in nontrivial_odd_component}
+            True
+            sage: H = graphs.CompleteBipartiteGraph(3, 3)
+            sage: H.delete_edge(0, 3)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.is_brace(coNP_certificate=True)
+            (False,
+             [(4, 1, None), (5, 1, None), (4, 2, None), (5, 2, None)],
+             {0, 4, 5},
+             'nontrivial barrier cut',
+             {1, 2})
+
+        If the input matching covered graph is nonbipartite, a
+        :exc:`ValueError` is thrown::
+
+            sage: K4 = graphs.CompleteGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(K4)
+            sage: G.is_brace()
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the input graph is not bipartite
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: H = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: H.is_brace(coNP_certificate=True)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the input graph is not bipartite
+
+        .. SEEALSO::
+
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.is_brick`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.bricks_and_braces`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.number_of_braces`
+        """
+        if not self.is_bipartite():
+            raise ValueError('the input graph is not bipartite')
+
+        if self.order() < 6:
+            return (True, None, None, None, None) if coNP_certificate else True
+
+        A, B = self.bipartite_sets()
+        matching = set(self.get_matching())
+        matching_neighbor = {x: y for u, v, *_ in matching for x, y in [(u, v), (v, u)]}
+
+        for e in matching:
+            u, v, *_ = e
+
+            # Let G denote the undirected graph self, and
+            # let the graph H(e) := G — u — v
+            H = Graph(self, multiedges=False)
+            H.delete_vertices([u, v])
+
+            if not H.is_connected() or not H.is_matching_covered(list(matching - set([e]))):
+                if not coNP_certificate:
+                    return False
+
+                # Construct the digraph D(e)(A ∪ B, F) defined as follows:
+                from sage.graphs.digraph import DiGraph
+                D = DiGraph()
+
+                # For each edge (a, b) in E(H(e)) ∩ M with a in A, b —> a in D(e).
+                # For each edge (a, b) in E(H(e)) with a in A, a —> b in D(e).
+                for a, b in H.edge_iterator(labels=False, sort_vertices=True):
+
+                    if a in B:
+                        a, b = b, a
+
+                    D.add_edge((a, b))
+                    if matching_neighbor[a] == b:
+                        D.add_edge((b, a))
+
+                # H(e) is matching covered iff D(e) is strongly connected.
+                # Check if D(e) is strongly connected using Kosaraju's algorithm
+                def dfs(x, visited, neighbor_iterator):
+                    stack = [x]  # a stack of xertices
+
+                    while stack:
+                        x = stack.pop()
+                        visited.add(x)
+
+                        for y in neighbor_iterator(x):
+                            if y not in visited:
+                                stack.append(y)
+
+                root = next(D.vertex_iterator())
+
+                visited_in = set()
+                dfs(root, visited_in, D.neighbor_in_iterator)
+
+                # Since D(e) is not strongly connected, it has a directed cut T(e).
+                # Note that by definition of D(e), it follows that T(e) ⊆ E(H(e)) — M.
+                # Thus, T(e) is a cut of H(e), which has a shore X such that every edge of T(e) is
+                # incident with a vertex in X ∩ B.
+
+                # Moreover, M — e is a perfect matching of H(e), and thus, |X ∩ A| = |X ∩ B|
+                # Consequently, Y := X + v is a shore of a nontrivial tight cut T of G
+
+                if len(visited_in) != D.order():
+                    X = visited_in
+                else:
+                    X = set()
+                    dfs(root, X, D.neighbor_out_iterator)
+
+                color_class = None
+
+                for a, b in H.edge_iterator(labels=False, sort_vertices=True):
+                    if (a in X) ^ (b in X):
+                        x = a if a in A else b
+                        color_class = x not in X
+                        break
+
+                # Obtain the color class Z ∈ {A, B} such that X ∩ Z is a vertex cover for T(e)
+                # Thus, obtain Y := X + v
+                X.add(u if (not color_class and u in A) or (color_class and u in B) or (color_class is None) else v)
+
+                # Compute the nontrivial tight cut C := ∂(Y)
+                C = [(x, y, w) if x in X else (y, x, w)
+                    for x, y, w in self.edge_iterator(sort_vertices=True)
+                    if (x in X) ^ (y in X)]
+
+                # Obtain the barrier Z
+                Z = None
+
+                if (u in X and u in A) or (v in X and v in A):
+                    Z = {b for b in B if b not in X}
+                else:
+                    Z = {a for a in A if a not in X}
+
+                return (False, C, set(X), 'nontrivial barrier cut', Z)
+
+        return (True, None, None, None, None) if coNP_certificate else True
+
+    @doc_index('Bricks, braces and tight cut decomposition')
+    def is_brick(self, coNP_certificate=False):
+        r"""
+        Check if the (matching covered) graph is a brick.
+
+        A matching covered graph which is free of nontrivial tight cuts is
+        called a *brick* if it is nonbipartite. A nonbipartite matching covered
+        graph is a brick if and only if it is 3-connected and bicritical
+        [LM2024]_.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``coNP_certificate`` -- boolean (default: ``False``)
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - If the input matching covered graph is bipartite, a :exc:`ValueError`
+          is returned.
+
+        - If the input nonbipartite matching covered graph is a brick, a
+          boolean ``True`` is returned if ``coNP_certificate`` is set to
+          ``False``, otherwise a 5-tuple ``(True, None, None, None, None)`` is
+          returned.
+
+        - If the input nonbipartite matching covered graph is not a brick, a
+          boolean ``False`` is returned if ``coNP_certificate`` is set to
+          ``False``.
+
+        - If ``coNP_certificate`` is set to ``True`` and the input nonbipartite
+          graph is not a brick, a 5-tuple of
+
+          1. a boolean ``False``,
+
+          2. a list of lists of edges, each list constituting a nontrivial
+             tight cut collectively representing a laminar tight cut,
+
+          3. a list of set of vertices of one of the shores of those respective
+             nontrivial tight cuts:
+
+             #. In case of nontrivial barrier cuts, each of the shores is a
+                nontrivial odd component with respect to a nontrivial barrier,
+                thus the returned list forms mutually exclusive collection of
+                (odd) sets.
+
+             #. Otherwise each of the nontrivial tight cuts is a 2-separation
+                cut, each of the shores form a subset sequence, with the
+                `i` th shore being a proper subset of the `i + 1` th shore.
+
+          4. a string showing whether the nontrivial tight cuts are barrier
+             cuts (if the string is 'nontrivial barrier cut'), or 2-separation
+             cuts (if the string is 'nontrivial 2-separation cut')
+
+          5. a set of vertices showing the respective barrier if the
+             nontrivial tight cuts are barrier cuts, or otherwise
+             a set of two vertices constituting the corresponding
+             two vertex cut (in this case the nontrivial tight cuts are
+             2-separation cuts)
+
+          is returned.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        The complete graph on four vertices `K_4` is the smallest brick::
+
+            sage: K = graphs.CompleteGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(K)
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            True
+
+        The triangular circular ladder (a graph on six vertices), aka
+        `\overline{C_6}` is a brick::
+
+            sage: C6Bar = graphs.CircularLadderGraph(3)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(C6Bar)
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            True
+
+        Each of Petersen graph, Bicorn graph, Tricorn graph, Cubeplex graph,
+        Twinplex graph, Wagner graph is a brick::
+
+            sage: MatchingCoveredGraph(graphs.PetersenGraph()).is_brick() and \
+            ....: MatchingCoveredGraph(graphs.StaircaseGraph(4)).is_brick() and \
+            ....: MatchingCoveredGraph(graphs.TricornGraph()).is_brick() and \
+            ....: MatchingCoveredGraph(graphs.CubeplexGraph()).is_brick() and \
+            ....: MatchingCoveredGraph(graphs.TwinplexGraph()).is_brick() and \
+            ....: MatchingCoveredGraph(graphs.WagnerGraph()).is_brick()
+            True
+
+        The Murty graph is the smallest simple brick that is not odd-intercyclic::
+
+            sage: M = graphs.MurtyGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(M)
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            True
+
+        A circular ladder graph of order six or more on `2n` vertices for an
+        odd `n` is a brick::
+
+            sage: n = 11
+            sage: CL = graphs.CircularLadderGraph(n)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(CL)
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            True
+
+        A moebius ladder graph of order eight or more on `2n` vertices for an
+        even `n` is a brick::
+
+            sage: n = 10
+            sage: ML = graphs.MoebiusLadderGraph(n)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(ML)
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            True
+
+        A wheel graph of an even order is a brick::
+
+            sage: W = graphs.WheelGraph(10)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(W)
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            True
+
+        A graph that is isomorphic to a truncated biwheel graph is a brick::
+
+            sage: TB = graphs.TruncatedBiwheelGraph(15)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(TB)
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            True
+
+        Each of the graphs in the staircase graph family with order eight or
+        more is a brick::
+
+            sage: ST = graphs.StaircaseGraph(9)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(ST)
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            True
+
+        Bricks are 3-connected::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            True
+            sage: G.is_triconnected()
+            True
+
+        Bricks are bicritical::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            True
+            sage: G.is_bicritical()
+            True
+
+        Examples of nonbipartite matching covered graphs that are not
+        bricks::
+
+            sage: H = Graph([
+            ....:     (0, 3), (0, 4), (0, 7),
+            ....:     (1, 3), (1, 5), (1, 7),
+            ....:     (2, 3), (2, 6), (2, 7),
+            ....:     (4, 5), (4, 6), (5, 6)
+            ....: ])
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.is_bipartite()
+            False
+            sage: G.is_bicritical()
+            False
+            sage: G.is_triconnected()
+            True
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            False
+            sage: H = Graph([
+            ....:     (0, 1), (0, 2), (0, 3), (0, 4), (1, 2),
+            ....:     (1, 5), (2, 5), (3, 4), (3, 5), (4, 5)
+            ....: ])
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.is_bipartite()
+            False
+            sage: G.is_bicritical()
+            True
+            sage: G.is_triconnected()
+            False
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            False
+
+        One may set the ``coNP_certificate`` to be ``True``::
+
+            sage: K4 = graphs.CompleteGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(K4)
+            sage: G.is_brick(coNP_certificate=True)
+            (True, None, None, None, None)
+            sage: # K(4) ⊙ K(3, 3) is nonbipartite but not a brick
+            sage: H = graphs.MurtyGraph(); H.delete_edge(0, 1)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.is_brick(coNP_certificate=True)
+            (False, [[(5, 2, None), (6, 3, None), (7, 4, None)]], [{5, 6, 7}],
+             'nontrivial barrier cut', {2, 3, 4})
+            sage: H = Graph([
+            ....:     (0, 12), (0, 13), (0, 15), (1, 4), (1, 13), (1, 14),
+            ....:     (1, 19), (2, 4), (2, 13), (2, 14), (2, 17), (3, 9),
+            ....:     (3, 13), (3, 16), (3, 21), (4, 6), (4, 7), (5, 7),
+            ....:     (5, 8), (5, 12), (6, 8), (6, 11), (7, 10), (8, 9),
+            ....:     (9, 10), (10, 11), (11, 12), (14, 15), (14, 16), (15, 16),
+            ....:     (17, 18), (17, 21), (18, 19), (18, 20), (19, 20), (20, 21)
+            ....: ])
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.is_brick(coNP_certificate=True)
+            (False,
+             [[(12, 0, None), (4, 1, None), (4, 2, None), (9, 3, None)],
+              [(19, 1, None), (17, 2, None), (21, 3, None)],
+              [(15, 0, None), (14, 1, None), (14, 2, None), (16, 3, None)]],
+             [{4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12}, {17, 18, 19, 20, 21}, {14, 15, 16}],
+             'nontrivial barrier cut', {0, 1, 2, 3})
+            sage: J = Graph([
+            ....:     (0, 1), (0, 2), (0, 3), (0, 4), (0, 5),
+            ....:     (0, 6), (0, 7), (0, 8), (0, 9), (0, 10),
+            ....:     (1, 2), (1, 11), (2, 11), (3, 4), (3, 11),
+            ....:     (4, 11), (5, 6), (5, 11), (6, 11), (7, 8),
+            ....:     (7, 11), (8, 11), (9, 10), (9, 11), (10, 11)
+            ....: ])
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(J)
+            sage: G.is_brick(coNP_certificate=True)
+            (False,
+             [[(0, 3, None),
+               (0, 4, None),
+               (0, 5, None),
+               (0, 6, None),
+               (0, 7, None),
+               (0, 8, None),
+               (0, 9, None),
+               (0, 10, None),
+               (1, 11, None),
+               (2, 11, None)],
+              [(0, 5, None),
+               (0, 6, None),
+               (0, 7, None),
+               (0, 8, None),
+               (0, 9, None),
+               (0, 10, None),
+               (1, 11, None),
+               (2, 11, None),
+               (3, 11, None),
+               (4, 11, None)],
+              [(0, 7, None),
+               (0, 8, None),
+               (0, 9, None),
+               (0, 10, None),
+               (1, 11, None),
+               (2, 11, None),
+               (3, 11, None),
+               (4, 11, None),
+               (5, 11, None),
+               (6, 11, None)],
+              [(0, 9, None),
+               (0, 10, None),
+               (1, 11, None),
+               (2, 11, None),
+               (3, 11, None),
+               (4, 11, None),
+               (5, 11, None),
+               (6, 11, None),
+               (7, 11, None),
+               (8, 11, None)]],
+             [{0, 1, 2},
+              {0, 1, 2, 3, 4},
+              {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6},
+              {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}],
+             'nontrivial 2-separation cut',
+             {0, 11})
+
+        If the input matching covered graph is bipartite, a
+        :exc:`ValueError` is thrown::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.HexahedralGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G.is_brick()
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the input graph is bipartite
+            sage: J = graphs.HeawoodGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(J)
+            sage: G.is_brick(coNP_certificate=True)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the input graph is bipartite
+
+        .. SEEALSO::
+
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.graph.Graph.is_bicritical`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.is_brace`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.bricks_and_braces`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.number_of_bricks`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.number_of_petersen_bricks`
+        """
+        if self.is_bipartite():
+            raise ValueError('the input graph is bipartite')
+
+        # Check if G is bicritical
+        bicritical, certificate = self.is_bicritical(coNP_certificate=True)
+
+        if not bicritical:
+            if not coNP_certificate:
+                return False
+
+            # G has a pair of vertices u, v such that G - u - v is not matching
+            # covered, thus has a nontrivial barrier B containing both u and v.
+            u, _ = certificate
+            B = self.maximal_barrier(u)
+
+            H = Graph(self)
+            H.delete_vertices(B)
+
+            # Let K be a nontrivial odd component of H := G - B. Note that
+            # there exists at least one such K since G is nonbipartite
+            nontrivial_odd_components = [
+                set(component) for component in H.connected_components(sort=True)
+                if len(component) % 2 and len(component) > 1
+            ]
+
+            # Find a laminar set of nontrivial barrier cuts
+            C = [[(u, v, w) if u in nontrivial_odd_component else (v, u, w)
+                  for u, v, w in self.edge_iterator()
+                  if (u in nontrivial_odd_component) ^ (v in nontrivial_odd_component)]
+                 for nontrivial_odd_component in nontrivial_odd_components]
+
+            return (False, C, nontrivial_odd_components, 'nontrivial barrier cut', B)
+
+        # Check if G is 3-connected
+        if self.is_triconnected():
+            return (True, None, None, None, None) if coNP_certificate else True
+
+        # G has a 2-vertex cut
+        # Compute the SPQR-tree decomposition
+        spqr_tree = self.spqr_tree()
+        two_vertex_cut = []
+
+        # Check for 2-vertex cuts in a P node
+        # Since the graph is matching covered, it is free of cut vertices
+        # It can be shown using counting arguments that the spqr tree
+        # decomposition for a bicritical graph, that is 2-connected but not
+        # 3-connected, is free of 'S' nodes
+        for u in spqr_tree:
+            if u[0] == 'P':
+                two_vertex_cut.extend(u[1])
+                break
+
+        # If no 2-vertex cut found, look for R nodes
+        if not two_vertex_cut:
+            from collections import Counter
+            R_frequency = Counter()
+
+            for t, g in spqr_tree:
+                if t == 'R':
+                    R_frequency.update(g)
+
+            # R frequency must be at least 2,
+            # since the graph is 2-connected but not 3-connected
+            two_vertex_cut = [u for u, f in R_frequency.items() if f >= 2][:2]
+
+        # We obtain a 2-vertex cut (u, v)
+        H = Graph(self)
+        H.delete_vertices(two_vertex_cut)
+
+        # Check if all components of H are odd
+        components = H.connected_components(sort=True)
+
+        # Find a nontrivial odd component
+        nontrivial_tight_cut_variation = 'nontrivial 2-separation cut'
+        nontrivial_odd_components = []
+
+        for index, component in enumerate(components):
+            if index == len(components) - 1:
+                continue
+            elif not index:
+                nontrivial_odd_components.append(set(components[0] + [two_vertex_cut[0]]))
+            else:
+                nontrivial_odd_component = nontrivial_odd_components[-1].copy()
+                nontrivial_odd_component.update(component)
+                nontrivial_odd_components.append(nontrivial_odd_component)
+
+        C = [[(u, v, w) if u in nontrivial_odd_component else (v, u, w)
+              for u, v, w in self.edge_iterator()
+              if (u in nontrivial_odd_component) ^ (v in nontrivial_odd_component)]
+             for nontrivial_odd_component in nontrivial_odd_components]
+
+        # Edge (u, v, w) in C are formatted so that u is in a nontrivial odd component
+        return (False, C, nontrivial_odd_components, nontrivial_tight_cut_variation, set(two_vertex_cut)) if coNP_certificate else False
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def loop_edges(self, labels=True):
+        r"""
+        Return a list of all loops in the (matching covered) graph.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.loop_edges` method
+            in order to return an empty list as matching covered graphs are
+            free of looped edges.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``labels`` -- boolean (default: ``True``); whether returned edges
+          have labels (``(u,v,l)``) or not (``(u,v)``).
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - A list capturing the edges that are loops in the matching covered
+          graph; note that, the list is empty since matching covered graphs do
+          not contain any looped edges.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        A matching covered graph, for instance the Heawood graph, by
+        definition, is always free of loops::
+
+            sage: H = graphs.HeawoodGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(H)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered heawood graph: graph on 14 vertices
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 0)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: G.loops()
+            []
+            sage: G.loop_edges()
+            []
+
+        A matching covered graph may support multiple edges, still no
+        loops are allowed::
+
+            sage: C = graphs.CycleGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(C)
+            sage: G.allow_multiple_edges(True)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered cycle graph: multi-graph on 4 vertices
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 1, 'label')
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 0)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 1, 'label'), (0, 3, None), (1, 2, None), (2, 3, None)]
+            sage: G.loops()
+            []
+            sage: G.loop_edges()
+            []
+
+        One may set the ``label`` to either ``True`` or ``False``::
+
+            sage: G.loop_edges(labels=False)
+            []
+            sage: G.loops(labels=True)
+            []
+
+        .. SEEALSO::
+
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.allow_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.allows_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.has_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loop_vertices`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.number_of_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.remove_loops`
+        """
+        return []
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def loop_vertices(self):
+        r"""
+        Return a list of vertices with loops.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.loop_vertices`
+            method in order to return an empty list as matching covered graphs
+            are free of vertices that have looped edges.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - A list capturing the vertices that have loops in the matching covered
+          graph; note that, the list is empty since matching covered graphs do
+          not contain any looped edges.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        A matching covered graph, for instance the Möbius graph of order 8, by
+        definition, is always free of loops::
+
+            sage: M = graphs.MoebiusLadderGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(M)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered moebius ladder graph: graph on 8 vertices
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 0)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: G.loop_vertices()
+            []
+
+        A matching covered graph may support multiple edges, still no
+        loops are allowed::
+
+            sage: S = graphs.StaircaseGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(S)
+            sage: G.allow_multiple_edges(True)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered staircase graph: multi-graph on 8 vertices
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 1, 'label')
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 0)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 1, 'label'), (0, 3, None), (0, 6, None),
+             (1, 2, None), (1, 4, None), (2, 5, None), (2, 7, None),
+             (3, 4, None), (3, 6, None), (4, 5, None), (5, 7, None),
+             (6, 7, None)]
+            sage: G.loop_vertices()
+            []
+
+        .. SEEALSO::
+
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.allow_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.allows_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.has_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loop_edges`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.number_of_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.remove_loops`
+        """
+        return []
+
+    loops = loop_edges
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def number_of_loops(self):
+        r"""
+        Return the number of edges that are loops.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.number_of_loops`
+            method in order to return 0 as matching covered graphs are free
+            of looped edges.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - An integer, 0 is returned, since matching covered graphs do not
+          contain zero loops.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        A matching covered graph, for instance the Truncated biwheel graph,
+        by definition, is always free of loops::
+
+            sage: T = graphs.TruncatedBiwheelGraph(5)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(T)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered truncated biwheel graph: graph on 10 vertices
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 0)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: G.loop_vertices()
+            []
+            sage: G.number_of_loops()
+            0
+
+        A matching covered graph may support multiple edges, still no
+        loops are allowed::
+
+            sage: B = graphs.BiwheelGraph(4)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(B)
+            sage: G.allow_multiple_edges(True)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered biwheel graph: multi-graph on 8 vertices
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 1, 'label')
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 0)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 1, 'label'), (0, 5, None), (0, 7, None),
+             (1, 2, None), (1, 6, None), (2, 3, None), (2, 7, None),
+             (3, 4, None), (3, 6, None), (4, 5, None), (4, 7, None),
+             (5, 6, None)]
+            sage: G.loop_vertices()
+            []
+            sage: G.number_of_loops()
+            0
+
+        .. SEEALSO::
+
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.allow_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.allows_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.has_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loop_edges`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loop_vertices`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.remove_loops`
+        """
+        return 0
+
+    @doc_index('Overwritten methods')
+    def remove_loops(self, vertices=None):
+        r"""
+        Remove loops on vertices in ``vertices``.
+
+        .. NOTE::
+
+            This method overwrites the
+            :meth:`~sage.graphs.generic_graph.GenericGraph.remove_loops` method
+            in order to return without any alteration as matching covered
+            graphs are free of looped edges.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``vertices`` -- (default: ``None``) iterator container of vertex
+          labels corresponding to which the looped edges are to be removed. If
+          ``vertices`` is ``None``, remove all loops.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - Nothing is returned, as a matching covered graph is already devoid of
+          any loops.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        A matching covered graph, for instance the Wheel graph of order six, is
+        always free of loops::
+
+            sage: W = graphs.WheelGraph(6)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(W)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered wheel graph: graph on 6 vertices
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 0)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: G.remove_loops()
+            sage: G.edges(sort=True)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 2, None), (0, 3, None), (0, 4, None),
+             (0, 5, None), (1, 2, None), (1, 5, None), (2, 3, None),
+             (3, 4, None), (4, 5, None)]
+
+        A matching covered graph may support multiple edges, still no
+        loops are allowed::
+
+            sage: K = graphs.CompleteGraph(2)
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(K)
+            sage: G.allow_multiple_edges(True)
+            sage: G
+            Matching covered complete graph: multi-graph on 2 vertices
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 1, 'label')
+            sage: G.add_edge(0, 0)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: loops are not allowed in matching covered graphs
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 1, 'label')]
+            sage: G.remove_loops(vertices=[0, 1])
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 1, 'label')]
+            sage: G.remove_loops(vertices=[0..100])
+
+        Note that the parameter ``vertices`` must be either ``None`` or an
+        iterable::
+
+            sage: G.remove_loops(vertices='')
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 1, 'label')]
+            sage: G.remove_loops(vertices=None)
+            sage: G.edges(sort=False)
+            [(0, 1, None), (0, 1, 'label')]
+            sage: G.remove_loops(vertices=0)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            TypeError: 'Integer' object is not iterable
+            sage: G.remove_loops(vertices=False)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            TypeError: 'bool' object is not iterable
+
+        .. SEEALSO::
+
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.allow_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.allows_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.has_loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loop_edges`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loop_vertices`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.loops`
+            - :meth:`~sage.graphs.matching_covered_graph.MatchingCoveredGraph.number_of_loops`
+        """
+        from collections.abc import Iterable
+
+        if vertices is not None and not isinstance(vertices, Iterable):
+            raise TypeError(f'\'{vertices.__class__.__name__}\' '
+                            'object is not iterable')
+
+    @doc_index('Miscellaneous methods')
+    def update_matching(self, matching):
+        r"""
+        Update the perfect matching captured in ``self._matching``.
+
+        INPUT:
+
+        - ``matching`` -- a perfect matching of the graph, that can be given
+          using any valid input format of :class:`~sage.graphs.graph.Graph`.
+
+        OUTPUT:
+
+        - If ``matching`` is a valid perfect matching of the graph, then
+          ``self._matching`` gets updated to this provided matching, or
+          otherwise an exception is returned without any alterations to
+          ``self._matching``.
+
+        EXAMPLES:
+
+        Providing with a valid perfect matching of the graph::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: sorted(G.get_matching())
+            [(0, 5, None), (1, 6, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 8, None), (4, 9, None)]
+            sage: M = [(0, 1), (2, 3), (4, 9), (5, 7), (6, 8)]
+            sage: G.update_matching(M)
+            sage: sorted(G.get_matching())
+            [(0, 1, None), (2, 3, None), (4, 9, None), (5, 7, None), (6, 8, None)]
+
+        TESTS:
+
+        Providing with a wrong matching::
+
+            sage: P = graphs.PetersenGraph()
+            sage: G = MatchingCoveredGraph(P)
+            sage: sorted(G.get_matching())
+            [(0, 5, None), (1, 6, None), (2, 7, None), (3, 8, None), (4, 9, None)]
+            sage: S = str('0')
+            sage: G.update_matching(S)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            RuntimeError: the string seems corrupt: valid characters are
+            ?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_`abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}~
+            sage: T = str('graph')
+            sage: G.update_matching(T)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            RuntimeError: the string (graph) seems corrupt: for n = 40,
+                the string is too short
+            sage: M = Graph(G.matching())
+            sage: M.add_edges([(0, 1), (0, 2)])
+            sage: G.update_matching(M)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the input is not a matching
+            sage: N = Graph(G.matching())
+            sage: N.add_edge(10, 11)
+            sage: G.update_matching(N)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the input is not a matching of the graph
+            sage: J = Graph()
+            sage: J.add_edges([(0, 1), (2, 3)])
+            sage: G.update_matching(J)
+            Traceback (most recent call last):
+            ...
+            ValueError: the input is not a perfect matching of the graph
+        """
+        try:
+            M = Graph(matching)
+
+            if any(d != 1 for d in M.degree()):
+                raise ValueError("the input is not a matching")
+
+            if any(not self.has_edge(edge) for edge in M.edge_iterator()):
+                raise ValueError("the input is not a matching of the graph")
+
+            if (self.order() != M.order()):
+                raise ValueError("the input is not a perfect matching of the graph")
+
+            self._matching = M.edges()
+
+        except Exception as exception:
+            raise exception
+
+
+__doc__ = __doc__.replace('{INDEX_OF_METHODS}', gen_thematic_rest_table_index(MatchingCoveredGraph, only_local_functions=False))