[vrwc1]

It would be given an arbitrary value that wouldn't be used in any other fashion in that software.

If you divide an integer by an integer in your computer program you will get an integer result. Integers represent positive and negative numbers. For a 32-bit integer this means a range of –2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647. Those values use every single one of the 32 bits. How are you going to now represent "nullity" with "an arbitrary value" that will be returned when you divide by zero?

[JamesP81]

How are you going to now represent "nullity" with "an arbitrary value" that will be returned when you divide by zero?

Declare the pointer to the value to be null after exception handling the divide by zero error. Either that, or we determine that the lowest value for a given variable or its highest possible value (either –2,147,483,648 or 2,147,483,647 since we're using 32 bit signed integers) to be a divide by zero condition. This is only if you need to look back later in the code to see if a divide by zero occurred. Normally, exception handling at the time of the error is sufficient and such methods aren't necessary, but they are available if needed and I've used them on more than one occasion.

[JamesP81]

If you divide an integer by an integer in your computer program you will get an integer result.

I almost overlooked this. When a computer does integer division it does yield integer results. Except when it divides by zero. This usually pitches an exception error. You deal with it using exception handlers and, as part of the exception handler, you set your variable storing the answer to formula that divided by zero to null or your arbitrary value like I talked about in post #100. At least you'd better use exception handlers, because if you don't, that pacemaker the article talks about gets a BSOD and someone's heart stops.

[Stone Mountain]

If you divide an integer by an integer in your computer program you will get an integer result.

You mean a rational result, right? 2 divided by 3 does not yield an integer.

[FreedomCalls]

If you divide an integer by an integer in your computer program you will get an integer result. Integers represent positive and negative numbers. For a 32-bit integer this means a range of –2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647. Those values use every single one of the 32 bits. How are you going to now represent "nullity" with "an arbitrary value" that will be returned when you divide by zero?

The same way you represent the square root of -1 as i.

Or the same way you represent the perimeter of a circle divided by the radius as p.