Overflow

Introduction to Overflow

• Overflow is an error condition that occurs when a calculation produces a result that is greater than the computer’s system can store or represent.
• This can occur in various computation events and is a frequent concern in computer programming, especially in low-level languages.

Binary Overflow

• Binary overflow can occur when adding two positive binary numbers.
• This causes the sum to be too large to be represented with the number of bits allocated for its storage.
• Binary overflow can result in an unexpected output or behaviour called wraparound.

Wraparound in Overflow

• If a calculation leads to an overflow, the number sequence may wrap around and start at the beginning.
• This wraparound can result in a positive number seeming to become negative or a larger number seeming much smaller.

Overflow Handling

• There are different methods to handle overflow, ranging from simply ignoring it to triggering an interruption.
• An overflow flag can be used to alert the system that overflow has occurred.
• Some programming languages have built-in handling of overflow conditions to prevent errors.

Effects of Overflow

• Overflow can cause serious issues in computer programs, resulting in incorrect results and potentially making the system unreliable.
• In databases, overflow can cause data corruption or loss.
• It is crucial that computer scientists and programmers understand the concept of overflow to minimise potential issues in their systems.

Preventing Overflow

• The use of good programming practices and logic can help prevent overflow.
• This includes checking whether operations will result in overflow before they are performed.
• Some programming languages also allow for variable types that can hold larger numbers, which can be used if overflow is a concern.