WEEK-2, DISCUSSION QUESTION:

In this discussion, we would like to focus on overflow. Please start by

explaining what overflow is, how it can be detected, and how it is different in
unsigned numbers differ from in signed numbers. Then unlock your imagination
and propose a couple of solutions to overflow in both unsigned numbers and
signed numbers.

ANSWER:
Overflow is a situation that occurs when the result of an arithmetic operation
exceeds the maximum or minimum value that can be represented by the data type
used to store the value. (i.e., when the magnitude of a number exceeds the
range allowed by the size of the bit field).

Consider this example: if you add two large numbers and the result is larger than
the maximum value that can be stored in the data type used, an overflow occurs.

Yet, how can it be detected? Overflow can be detected by examining the result of
an arithmetic operation and comparing it to the maximum or minimum value that
can be represented by the data type used. If the result is larger than the maximum
value or smaller than the minimum value, an overflow has occurred.

How is it different in unsigned numbers differ from in signed numbers? In

signed numbers, overflow occurs when the result of an arithmetic operation
exceeds the maximum or minimum value that can be represented by the data type
used. In this case, overflow can be detected by examining the sign of the operands
and the result. If the sign of the operands is the same and the sign of the result is
different, an overflow has occurred.

Proposed overflow solutions.

To prevent overflow in unsigned numbers, one solution is to use a larger data type
that can represent a larger range of values. For example, if we use a 64-bit
unsigned integer instead of a 32-bit unsigned integer, we can represent a larger
range of values without the risk of overflow.

Another solution to prevent overflow in unsigned numbers is to use modular

arithmetic. Modular arithmetic is a type of arithmetic that is performed using a
fixed modulus. When using modular arithmetic, the result of an arithmetic
operation is always within the range of 0 to the modulus minus one. This approach
is often used in cryptography and other applications that require secure
computation.