NAME

abs — return an integer absolute value

SYNOPSIS

#include <stdlib.h>

int abs(int i);


DESCRIPTION

^[CX] The functionality described on this reference page is aligned with the ISO C standard. Any conflict between the requirements described here and the ISO C standard is unintentional. This volume of POSIX.1-2024 defers to the ISO C standard.

The abs() function shall compute the absolute value of its integer operand, i. If the result cannot be represented, the behavior is undefined.

RETURN VALUE

The abs() function shall return the absolute value of its integer operand.

ERRORS

No errors are defined.

EXAMPLES

None.

APPLICATION USAGE

Since POSIX.1 requires a two's complement representation of int, the absolute value of the negative integer with the largest magnitude {INT_MIN} is not representable, thus abs(INT_MIN) is undefined.

RATIONALE

None.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

None.

SEE ALSO

fabs, labs

XBD <stdlib.h>

CHANGE HISTORY

First released in Issue 1. Derived from Issue 1 of the SVID.

Issue 6

Extensions beyond the ISO C standard are marked.

Issue 8

Austin Group Defect 1108 is applied, changing the APPLICATION USAGE section.