What Happens When Unix 32 Bit Time Overflows?
Contents

Cause. The latest time since 1 January 1970 that can be stored using a signed 32-bit integer is 03:14:07 on Tuesday, 19 January 2038 (231−1 = 2,147,483,647 seconds after 1 January 1970). … This is caused by integer overflow, during which the counter runs out of usable binary digits or bits, and flips the sign bit instead …

What is Unix 32-bit time overflow?

All 32-bit Unix/Linux-based systems store the system clock time internally as the number of seconds since the “Epoch.” The latest time and date that can be represented as seconds-since-the-Epoch in that 32-bit signed integer is 3:14:07 UTC on Tuesday, January 19, 2038.

What year will the Unix time run out on 32-bit systems?

The counter will then begin to count from the negative scale, once this date comes to pass, causing the computers to reset to December 13th 1901, leading to all kinds of errors in every modern 32-bit computer. This is the 2038 problem, which will mark the end of UNIX time and subsequently the UNIX epoch.

Marcus Vance

Marcus Vance

Cybersecurity & Digital Privacy Researcher

Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.

Share this article
Twitter Facebook Pinterest