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Sum Without Arithmetic Operators
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Sum Without Arithmetic Operators

MediumPython

Problem

Intel oneAPI tooling may need a low-level integer routine that demonstrates how processor arithmetic can be modeled with logic operations. Implement a function that computes the sum of two signed 32-bit integers without using the +, -, *, or / operators anywhere in the function.

Formal Specification

Given integers a and b, return their sum using two's-complement 32-bit semantics. If the mathematical result overflows the signed 32-bit range, return the wrapped signed 32-bit value.

You may use bitwise operators, assignment, comparisons, loops, conditionals, and constants. Do not convert the numbers to strings or call arithmetic helpers that perform the addition internally.

Constraints

  • -2^31 <= a, b <= 2^31 - 1
  • The operators +, -, *, and / must not appear in the implementation.
  • Use signed 32-bit two's-complement semantics.
  • Use O(1) auxiliary space.

Function Signature

def add_without_operators(a, b):
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