For a typical 16-bit C compiler, the allowable range for (signed) integer constants is:

  • -32768 to 32767 for int (i.e., 16-bit signed integer).

Quick Scoop: What That Means

  • The compiler uses 16 bits (2 bytes) to store an int.
  • With 16 bits in two’s complement representation, you get:
    • Signed range: -32768 to 32767.
* Unsigned range: 0 to 65535 (for `unsigned int`).

So, when exam-style or forum questions ask:

“What is the 16-bit compiler allowable range for integer constants?”

they are almost always expecting:

  • Answer: -32768 to 32767 (for signed integer constants on a 16-bit C compiler).

Tiny Story Angle

Imagine a very old DOS-era C compiler like Turbo C++; it treats plain int as 16-bit, so if you try to store something beyond 32767 in a plain int, it overflows and wraps around within that 16-bit window. That’s why these ranges still show up so often in textbooks, quizzes, and forum discussions today.

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Learn the exact 16-bit compiler allowable range for integer constants in C, why it is -32768 to 32767, and how signed vs unsigned ranges work, with exam- style context and examples.

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