Why can't I use -2147483648 in an expression of `set /A` directly?

Question

As you might have noticed, -2147483648 = -2³¹ is the negative limit of the signed 32-bit integer range.

When I try to use this value literally...:

set /A -2147483648

..., the following error occurs:

Invalid number.  Numbers are limited to 32-bits of precision.

However, I can state the positive limit 2147483647 = 2³¹ - 1 without any trouble:

set /A 2147483647

So why does set /A behave like that, although the number is perfectly within the applicable range for signed two's complement 32-bit integers?

And is there a way to state the constant -2147483648 directly in a set /A expression?

I know, I could use a variable that is preset to the value, like set NEGLIM=-2147483648, and then use it in an unexpanded way, like set /A NEGLIM, but is there not an immediate way of providing that value?

Answer 1

I propose the following workaround:

set /A -2147483647-1

result:

-2147483648

funny note: set /A -2147483647-2 yields 2147483647 so toying with the limit is dangerous :)

Answer 2

I just found an interesting fact: when using hexadecimal representation, the negative limit can be given:

set /A -0x80000000

Or (also resulting in -2147483648 due to the two's complement representation):

set /A +0x80000000

However, octal notation fails just like the decimal one:

rem These fail:
set /A -020000000000
set /A +020000000000