What Is an Arithmetic Overflow?
An arithmetic overflow is a condition that occurs in computers, especially in the area of computer programming, when a calculation or operation yields a result that is too large for the storage system or register to handle. Overflow can also refer to the amount by with the given result exceeds the memory designated for storage. In some cases, the overflow of data may be stored at another data storage location; in others, it can cause a program to crash, run slowly, or yield inaccurate results. Arithmetic overflow isn’t restricted to full personal or business computers, as simple handheld calculators and communication devices also have limits to the magnitude of the values they can handle.
