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Underflow vs Overflow - What's the difference?

underflow | overflow |

Overflow is a derived term of underflow.

Overflow is a related term of underflow.



In computing terms the difference between underflow and overflow

is that underflow is to trigger the condition in which the value of a computed quantity is smaller than the smallest non-zero value that can be physically stored while overflow is the situation where a value exceeds the available numeric range.

underflow

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (computing) A condition in which the value of a computed quantity is smaller than the smallest non-zero value that can be physically stored; usually treated as an error condition
  • (computing) The error condition that results from an attempt to retrieve an item from an empty stack

    • Related terms

    * overflow

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (computing) To trigger the condition in which the value of a computed quantity is smaller than the smallest non-zero value that can be physically stored.

    • Anagrams

    * wonderful

    overflow

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The spillage resultant from overflow; excess.
  • Outlet for escape of excess material.
  • (computing) The situation where a value exceeds the available numeric range.

    • Derived terms

    * overflow hole

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To flow over the brim of (a container).
    • The river overflowed the levee.
  • To cover with a liquid, literally or figuratively.
    • The flash flood overflowed most of the parkland and some homes.
  • * 1851 , Herman Melville, Moby-Dick
    • So when they were working that evening at the pumps, there was on this head no small gamesomeness slily going on among them, as they stood with their feet continually overflowed by the rippling clear water
  • To cause an overflow. (rfex)
  • To flow over the edge of a container.
    • The waters overflowed into the Ninth Ward.
  • To exceed limits or capacity.
    • The hospital ER was overflowing with flu cases.
  • # (computing, ambitransitive) To exceed the available numeric range.
  • Calculating 255+1 will overflow an eight-bit byte.
  • To be superabundant; to abound.
    • (Rogers)

    Derived terms

    * buffer overflow * underflow English heteronyms ----