# Unsigned vs signed

**URL:** https://forum.kirupa.com/t/unsigned-vs-signed/268882
**Category:** Uncategorized
**Created:** [August 20, 2008, 12:29am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/unsigned-vs-signed/268882 "2008-08-20T00:29:39Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![sekasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f8ce5/32.png) [@sekasi](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/sekasi)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2008, 12:29am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/unsigned-vs-signed/268882/1 "2008-08-20T00:29:39Z")

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I know this is not specifically AS3 related, but it’s close.

In a lot of programming languages, and ESPECIALLY in Actionscript 3, there’s a huge difference in processing time between unsigned and signed integers.

Now, to me, it’s just simply logical that an unsigned integer (uint) should be faster. It’s a less dynamic type since it can only hold positive numbers and should logically reserve less memory resources.

So why are signed integers (int) so much faster? I don’t get it. The difference is enormous! At least on a micro scale.

Any insight is welcome.  
Thanks  
:hugegrin: