Question

If the result of an operation is overflowed(exceeded than 16 bits) or underflowed then, only the lower 16-bits of the result are stored in the register and this effect is known as

(a) overflow/underflow effect

(b) wrap-around effect

(c) exceeding memory effect

(d) none

I had been asked this question in an interview.

The origin of the question is MMX Data Types, Wrap-around and Saturation Arithmetic, Multimedia Application Programming, Pentium III (P-III) CPU in section Recent Advancements in Microprocessor Architecture of Microprocessor

Answer 1

The correct choice is (b) wrap-around effect

The explanation is: If the result of an operation is overflowed (exceeded than 16 bits) or underflowed then, only the lower 16-bits of the result are stored in the register, and this effect is known as wrap-around effect.