uint16

UInt16 is an unsigned integer type that uses 16 bits of storage. It represents non-negative whole numbers from 0 to 65,535. As an unsigned type, it cannot hold negative values, and arithmetic on it is typically modulo 2^16, meaning that overflow wraps around unless the language provides checked arithmetic.

In memory, a 16-bit value is stored as bits, and the exact byte order (endianness) depends on the environment. When serializing to or from byte streams, the order of bytes matters: network protocols often require big-endian (network order), while most local architectures are little-endian.

Common uses for UInt16 include fixed-width counters or identifiers that fit within the 0–65,535 range, small measurements, and certain binary or network protocols where a 16-bit field is specified. It is also used in graphics and file formats that allocate 16 bits for a value, such as some color or depth representations.

Language representations vary. In C and C++, the type is typically uint16_t defined in stdint.h. In C# and the .NET framework, the type is named UInt16 (System.UInt16). In Rust, the equivalent is u16. In languages without a native 16-bit unsigned primitive, similar behavior is achieved with larger integer types and explicit masking or by using fixed-width libraries.

Because the range is limited, care is required during conversions to larger types to avoid overflow, and input validation is important when parsing external data.