wrapping_add(9)

📦 version 7.3.1, in nixpkgs unstable

💅 wrapping_add(9) — a Kernel API Manual moment

okay bestie, so we're in the kernel docs, section 9, and this little icon is called wrapping_add ✨ it lives in the Kernel API Manual and it's honestly giving "small function, big responsibility."

🌸 NAME 🌸

wrapping_add — intentionally perform a wrapping addition 🎀

like, on purpose. deliberately. not a bug, a choice. 💅

✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

wrapping_add (type , a , b );

that's the whole vibe. three args, no notes. 🫶

🎀 ARGUMENTS 🎀

  • type — the type you want the result of the calculation to be. yes, you literally pass the type in. main character energy. 👑
  • a — first addend 🍓
  • b — second addend 🍓

💖 DESCRIPTION 💖

so what it does is: return the potentially wrapped-around addition — without tripping any of those wrap-around sanitizers that may be enabled 🔥

ngl that's the entire description and it ate. it's a "yes I know it overflows, I want it to overflow, please stop yelling at me" function. periodt. 💀

fr fr: the wrapping is intentional here. that's the whole point. if you're not trying to wrap, this is not your girl. 🙈

🌈 SEE ALSO 🌈

Kernel file ./include/linux/overflow.h — that's where she lives, go say hi 🦋

and the whole overflow friend group, no cap:

and that's the page!! 🧚 from ./include/linux, dated October 2026, signed off with all the love — wrapping_add(9) out. 💜⭐ slay responsibly.

📦 where this page comes from