integer data type
Let an agent explain integer data types, relay sizes, ranges, representations and language rules from programming references, describe the types the registry aliases name, and distinguish integer types from floating-point types, mathematical integers, enumerations and exit status as a convention, without exploit detail.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain integer data types, relay sizes, ranges, representations and language rules from programming references, describe the types the registry aliases name, and distinguish integer types from floating-point types, mathematical integers, enumerations and exit status as a convention, without exploit detail.
A data type representing a range of whole numbers in computing, defined by size and signedness, such as 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128-bit signed and unsigned integers, with language-specific types such as the C int, long and uint32_t, arbitrary-precision integers in some languages, and uses such as process exit status codes stored as small integers; integer overflow and signedness errors are common sources of bugs and vulnerabilities.
What it is for: Representing whole numbers in programs.
It can be explain sizes and signedness; relay language rules; describe named types; distinguish related types.
Distinguishing features
Fixed width or arbitrary
Signed or unsigned
Overflow behaviour
Language-specific
What it looks like
Not a visible object; a type in code.
Physical character
32-bit signed range: -2147483648 to 2147483647 note
64-bit unsigned max: 18446744073709551615 note
representation: usually two s complement note - mandated in C23
How it is recognised
Computer type for whole numbers
32-bit integer, 128-bit signed and unsigned integers, C integer types, exit status
Floating-point types store approximations; mathematical integers are unbounded; enums name values; exit status is a convention using integers
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
is represented using -
is contrasted with -
can suffer -
In practice
Families and kinds
fixed-width signed integers
fixed-width unsigned integers
128-bit integers
C and C++ integer types
arbitrary-precision integers
exit status codes as an integer use
Standards and regulation
ISO C and C++ standards
Language specifications such as Java and Rust
Failure modes and hazards
Integer overflow bugs and vulnerabilities
Signedness conversion errors
Registry alias exit status is a use, not a type
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What an integer data type is.
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
- What is an integer data type, and how does it differ from floating-point types, mathematical integers, enums and exit status? definition
- Is the question about a language, a size, overflow or security, answered without exploit detail? boundary
Types
Named types.
Types
Types.
- What are 32-bit, 128-bit signed and unsigned and C integer types, and what is an exit status? definition
- Which entry fits the specific type? action
Representation Representation.
Science.
Binary
Binary representation.
Binary
Binary.
- How are integers represented with two s complement and endianness? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Ranges
Ranges.
Ranges
Ranges.
- How are ranges computed from bit width and signedness? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Practice Practice.
Application.
Languages
Languages.
Languages
Languages.
- How do C, Java, Python and Rust define integer types? provenance
- Which entry fits C data types? action
Bugs
Overflow and safety.
Bugs
Bugs.
- Why do integer overflows cause bugs, and how do languages mitigate them, at a general level? provenance
- Which entry fits integer overflow? action
Context Conventions and history.
Context.
Exit status
Exit status.
Exit status
Exit status.
- What are process exit status codes and their conventions? provenance
- Which entry fits exit status? action
History
History.
History
History.
- How did word sizes evolve from 8-bit to 64-bit computers? provenance
- Which entry fits word (computer architecture)? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should 128-bit integer be a separate entry?
- How should programming references be linked?
- The registry alias exit status names a convention; should it be split off?