abs, labs, llabs, imaxabs

Computes the absolute value of an integer number. The behavior is undefined if the result cannot be represented by the return type.

Parameters

Return value

The absolute value of n (i.e. |n|), if it is representable.

Notes

In 2's complement systems, the absolute value of the most-negative value is out of range, e.g. for 32-bit 2's complement type int, INT_MIN is -2147483648, but the would-be result 2147483648 is greater than INT_MAX, which is 2147483647

Example

#include <limits.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
 
int main(void)
{
    printf("abs(+3) = %d\n", abs(+3));
    printf("abs(-3) = %d\n", abs(-3));
 
//  printf("%+d\n", abs(INT_MIN)); // undefined behavior on 2's complement systems
}

abs(+3) = 3
abs(-3) = 3

References

See also