Converting Signed to Unsigned

  • Article

Objects of signed integral types can be converted to corresponding unsigned types. When these conversions occur, the actual bit pattern does not change; however, the interpretation of the data changes. Consider this code:

Example

// conve__pluslang_Converting_Signed_to_Unsigned.cpp
// compile with: /EHsc
#include <iostream>

using namespace std;
int main()
{
    short  i = -3;
    unsigned short u;

    cout << (u = i) << "\n";
}

Output

65533

In the preceding example, a signed short, i, is defined and initialized to a negative number. The expression (u = i) causes i to be converted to an unsigned short prior to the assignment to u.

See Also

Reference

Integral Conversions