1. The largest value that can be represented in
a particular type of variable (register, memory location, data
type, whatever). 2. `minus infinity': The smallest such value,
not necessarily or even usually the simple negation of plus
infinity. In N-bit twos-complement arithmetic, infinity is
2^(N-1) - 1 but minus infinity is -
(2^(N-1)), not -(2^(N-1) - 1). Note also that this
is different from time T equals minus infinity, which is
closer to a mathematician's usage of infinity.
wrap around: vi. (also n. `wraparound' and v. shorthand
`wrap') 1. [techspeak] The action of a counter that starts over
at zero or at `minus infinity' (see {infinity}) after its
maximum value has been reached, and continues incrementing, either
because it is programmed to do so or because of an overflow (as
when a car's odometer starts over at 0)....
wrap around vi.
(also n. `wraparound' and v. shorthand
`wrap') 1. [techspeak] The action of a counter that starts over
at zero or at `minus infinity' (see infinity) after its
maximum value has been reached, and continues incrementing, either
because it is programmed to do so or because of an overflow (as
when a car's odometer starts over at 0)....