uintlib

A simple, lightweight Python library providing fixed-size unsigned and signed integer types
(UInt8, Int8, UInt16, Int16, UInt32, Int32, UInt64, Int64) with correct wrapping behavior
and easy arithmetic operations. Perfect for network programming, binary protocols, emulation, and low-level data manipulation.

Why?

Python's built-in integers are unbounded and do not overflow, which is convenient but not suitable for all use cases, especially when working with:

• Binary protocols requiring precise bit widths
• Network packet parsing and construction
• Emulators or hardware interfacing code
• Embedded systems data serialization/deserialization
• Situations where overflow behavior must match C, Rust, Go, or other languages

This library provides integer classes that behave like fixed-size integers in low-level languages, including overflow wrapping and bit masking.

Features

• Fixed bit widths: 8, 16, 32, and 64 bits
• Both unsigned (UInt*) and signed (Int*) types
• Proper overflow wrapping on arithmetic operations (+, -)
• Supports comparison operators (==, !=, <, >, etc.)
• Intuitive constructor with automatic bit masking
• Supports integer conversion via int()
• Easy to extend or customize
• Lightweight, no external dependencies

Installation

You can install from PyPI (once published) using:

pip install uintlib

Usage

from uintlib.uint import UInt8, Int16, UInt32, Int64

a = UInt8(250)
b = UInt8(10)

print(a + b)          # UInt8(4) — wraps around at 255 (250 + 10 = 260 → 4)
print(int(a + b))     # 4 as Python int

x = Int16(-20000)
y = Int16(10000)

print(x + y)          # Int16(-10000) — correct 16-bit signed overflow
print(int(x + y))     # -10000

# Comparisons work as expected
print(a == UInt8(4))  # True
print(x < y)          # True