A CDE Definition

Arithmetic without fractions. A computer performing integer arithmetic ignores any fractions that are derived. For example, 8 divided by 3 would yield the whole number 2. See integer.

A whole number. In programming, sending the number 123.398 to an integer function would return 123. Integers can be signed (positive or negative) or unsigned (always positive). If signed, the leftmost bit is used as the sign bit, and the maximum value of each sign is thus cut in half. For example, an 8-bit unsigned integer stores the values 0 to 255, whereas an 8-bit signed integer can store -128 to +127. See integer arithmetic and floating point.