• ayyy@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    4 hours ago

    It depends on how they are representing the numbers. If they are stored as an “integer” they will overflow and wrap around after about 2 trillion. I’m not saying computers can’t handle larger numbers, I’m saying that in my extensive experience there’s always some part of older systems that generate some long-forgotten but essential report that never thought about handling huge numbers and breaks in unexpected ways.

    • viking
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      4 hours ago

      Right, who knows if they are running the country on AS400…