Overflow - GCSE Computer Science Definition
Reviewed by: James Woodhouse
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In computer science, "overflow" happens when a computer tries to handle a number that is too big for its memory space. Imagine you have a container that can only hold ten apples, but you try to put twelve apples in it. The extra apples would spill out because there's no room. Similarly, in a computer, when a number gets too large, it doesn't fit in the space reserved for it in the computer's memory, causing an "overflow." This can lead to unexpected results or errors in programs, especially when doing calculations in subjects like Computer Science.
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