Loss of precision can cause serious problems
- Overflow: When the positive exponent exceeds the max value, e.g., 308 for
DOUBLE PRECISION (64 bits). Under such circumstances the program will terminate and some compilers may give you the warning OVERFLOW.
- Underflow: When the negative exponent becomes smaller than the min value, e.g., -308 for
DOUBLE PRECISION. Normally, the variable is then set to zero and the program continues. Other compilers (or compiler options) may warn you with the UNDERFLOW message and the program terminates.