Indeed it does matter! As I said this is an example of an API that hasn't aged well (when they devised it, they probably didn't envision this happening). There

Indeed it does matter! As I said this is an example of an API that hasn't aged well (when they devised it, they probably didn't envision this happening). There are a number of ways to handle this: - Use unsigned 32-bit (gives you a little bit more runway, but you'll still hit the end hard) - Use 64-bit values (ends your problem once and for all, but costs double the memory so now you have a new problem) - Use 40-bit values (Gives you a lot more runway, but costs CPU)