Things Not To Do with Integers in C Programming

The size of integer types (int, long, short) can vary across different platforms. Assuming a specific size can lead to bugs when porting code.

Integer overflow occurs when an arithmetic operation attempts to create a numeric value that is outside the range that can be represented with a given number of bits. This can lead to unexpected behaviors.

While unsigned integers wrap around on overflow according to the standard, relying on this behavior for algorithmic logic can make the code less readable and error-prone.

Bitwise operations on signed integers can lead to unexpected results due to the representation of negative numbers (typically two's complement).

Implicit conversions between signed and unsigned types can lead to bugs, especially when comparing values.

Before converting strings or other types to integers, ensure that the input is valid and within the expected range to avoid undefined behavior or errors.

Avoid hard-coding integers in the code. Use named constants or #define directives for better readability and maintainability.