0xff padding?

i have this code

Code:

---

int next_byte(char **filebuf, int *psize)
{
  if (*psize) {
    (*psize)--;
    return *(*filebuf)++;   
  }
  return END_BUF;
}

---

The next byte in filebuf is, say, 0xd8, but next_byte will return 0xffffffd8. Is there any particular reason why its not returning 0x000000d8

Does this do the same thing for any hex value above 0x80?

casting the return statement didnt work, but chaning the param to unsigned char did. Thanks.

> yep

If that was to me, then read Salem's explanation - that's why; sign extension.