Checking overflow in C

[mahaju]

Hi
let we have
int a,b,c; // may be char or float, anything actually
c=a+b;

let int type be represented by 4 bytes. Let's say a+b requires 1 bit more than 4 bytes (ie, let's say the result is 1 00....0 (32 zeroes, in binary)). This would result in C=0, and I am sure the computer's microprocessor would set some kind of overflow flag. Is there any built in method to check this in C?

I am actually working on building a number type that is 1024 bits long (for example, int is a built in number type that is 32 bits long). I have attempted this using unsigned char type arrays with 128 elements. I also need to define addition and subtraction operations on these numbers. I have written the code for addition but I am having problem on subtraction. I don't need to worry about getting negative results because the way I will call the subtracting function always ensures that the result of subtraction is always positive, but to implement the subtraction function I need to somehow get the 2's complement of the subtrahend, which is it self my custom 1024 bit number.

I am sorry if it is difficult to understand my description. If needed I will elaborate it more. I am including my code for the adding function and the incomplete subtracting function. the NUM_OF_WORDS is a constant declared as

#define NUM_OF_WORDS 128

Please let me know if you did not understand my question or any part of my code

[mahaju]

Incidentally, I found this
http://c-faq.com/misc/intovf.html
I intend to replace INT_MAX by UCHAR_MAX as my 1024 bit numbers consist of array of char types (8-bit variable)
Is this check sufficient for all cases?

[sc0ttman]

Post your question at stackoverflow..com - someone will give you a good answer.

[mahaju]

this stackoverflow forum looks too flashy
imo it's interface is too difficult to use
I prefer the simple old fashioned UI like in Puppy Forum
Still, I hope this is a good forum