Fixed-Width Integer Types

The fixed-width integer types that <inttypes.h> provides, include signed integer types, such as int8_t, int16_t, int32_t, int64_t, and unsigned integer types such as, uint8_t, uint16_t, uint32_t, and uint64_t.

Derived types defined as the smallest integer types that can hold the specified number of bits include int_least8_t,..., int_least64_t, uint_least8_t,..., uint_least64_t.

It is safe to use an integer for such operations as loop counters and file descriptors; it is also safe to use a long for an array index. However, do not use these fixed-width types indiscriminately. Use fixed-width types for explicit binary representations of the following:

• On-disk data

• Over the data wire

• Hardware registers

• Binary interface specifications

• Binary data structures