/sys$common/syshlp/helplib.hlb CC, Messages, HEXOCTSIGN  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

 Message        In VAX C mode, the compiler will give this constant a
                signed type for compatibility with VAX C.  This
                differs from the behavior specified in the C
                standard, which would give this constant an unsigned
                type.

 Description    The C standard specifies that an octal or hexadecimal
                integer constant has an unsigned type when its value
                cannot be represented in a signed integer type, but
                can be represented in the corresponding unsigned
                integer type.  Some older compilers, such as VAX C,
                will treat this constant as having a signed type.  In
                VAX C mode, the compiler matches the behavior of VAX
                C.  In other modes the compiler matches the behavior
                specified in the standard.

 User Action    Be aware that this difference may cause porting
                problems if this program is compiled in a mode other
                than VAX C mode, or with a compiler that does not
                support this old behavior.