ACtE08 · Chapter 8Mock Test 07🏛️ Past Licensure QuestionID: 56981c6b
In traditional 16-bit computer architectures and C compilers (such as C89 on 16-bit systems), how many bits are used for storing signed integers?
In traditional 16-bit computer architectures and C compilers (such as C89 on 16-bit systems), how many bits are used for storing signed integers?
Multiple Choice Options
- A
2
- B
4
- C✓ Correct Option
16
- D
8
Detailed Technical Solution & Explanation
In standard 16-bit computing systems (such as the Intel 8086 processor architecture and classic C compilers like Turbo C), the fundamental machine word size is 16 bits. Consequently, the default signed int data type is allocated 16 bits (2 bytes) of memory, representing signed integer values ranging from to in two's complement format.
Option Analysis:
•
Option A (2): Incorrect; 2 bits can only store 4 discrete states.
•
Option B (4): Incorrect; represents a 4-bit nibble.
•
Option C (16): Correct; standard signed integer width in 16-bit architecture is 16 bits.
•
Option D (8): Incorrect; 8 bits corresponds to the
char data type.Reference: Mock Test 07NEC Licensure Syllabus