Arithmetic Overflow Definition

Arithmetic overflow — is an occurrence in numerical computation, where the value eventually assumes a point in the arithmetic operation that is too high for the variable to accommodate the value as a result.

Most of the occurrences that happen are mostly with numbers wrapping around so that they can again start from the beginning. It’s like counting on one’s fingers and once we come to the highest number, it gets repeated and again we start counting from one. This is due to the way in which numbers are kept in computers, and also because such things happen often in computer systems. And this overflow condition might cause a non-intended result, and may cause incorrect behavior. Wrapping refers to the condition that could occur or should be expected for the case of a program to supply a good-reliable and secure service. As a matter of fact, wrapping in case of overflow does make a lot of sense, specifically for some of the applications.

For some processors, the result of an overflow calculation that extends beyond the maximum or minimum value of the range of representable values will be “clamped” to the maximum or minimum value within the range.