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Integer overflow facts for kids

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A mechanical form of integer overflow. All digits are set to the maximum 9, and adding 1 causes it to reset to 0.

Integer overflow occurs in computers, when the number which is stored becomes larger than the capacity of the memory it is stored in. The most likely result is that the number will reset to 0 and start over.

For example, start with the number 14, using 4-bits integers. Add 1 a few times, this wil result in an overflow, which causes it to reset the number to 0.

Binary number Decimal number
1110 14
1111 15
0000 0
0001 1

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Integer overflow Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.