How to Convert Hex into Signed Integer Using Python 3

Learn how to easily convert a Hex string to a `signed integer` in Python 3 with step-by-step instructions and examples.
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Converting Hex to Signed Integer in Python 3

When working with hexadecimal values in programming, you may encounter situations where you need to convert a hex string into a signed integer. This is particularly useful in scenarios like interpreting color values, manipulating binary data, or parsing messages from hardware interfaces. However, converting hex to a signed integer directly in Python can be tricky, especially when you expect a negative result.

In this guide, we'll address a common question among programmers: How to convert a hex string (like "FFFC") into a signed integer using Python 3? Let's dive in and understand the solution step by step.

Problem Overview

Suppose you have the following hex string:

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When you run the simple command:

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You will receive a result of 65532, which is the unsigned format of the hex value. However, our expectation is to convert this to a signed format and get -4. So how do we achieve this?

Solution: The Method to Convert Hex to Signed Integer

There are multiple ways to convert a hex string to a signed integer in Python. Below, we will explore one simple and effective method that involves some basic arithmetic.

Step-by-Step Guide

Convert Hex to Integer: First, we will convert the hex string to an integer using the built-in int() function.

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Check for Negative Numbers: Since we want to interpret the hex value as a signed integer, we need to determine if the value is in the negative range. For 16-bit signed integers, if the integer is greater than or equal to 0x8000, it represents a negative number.

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Adjust for Signed Value: If the condition is true, we will subtract 0x10000 from the integer to get the signed integer representation.

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Complete Code Example

Here is the complete code that puts everything together:

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Explanation of the Code

int(s, 16) converts the hex string "FFFC" to its decimal equivalent, which is 65532.

The condition checks if 65532 exceeds 32768 (which is 0x8000 in hexadecimal). Since it does, we'll proceed to adjust this value.

Subtracting 65536 (which is 0x10000) transforms our value into the signed equivalent of -4.

Conclusion

Converting a hex string to a signed integer in Python can be accomplished in a few straightforward steps by utilizing basic conditional logic and arithmetic. With this guide and provided code, you can easily handle hex to signed integer conversions in your Python projects.

Feel free to experiment with different hex strings to understand how they convert into signed integers!