Javascript and Bit shifting

When you’re bitshifting a number in javascript it converts the number to a 32bit signed integer from a 64 bit floating point number. After the action is complete it converts it back to a 64 bit floating point number. This itself is not a problem but it can cause some unexpected results. If you’re bitshifting a number that is larger than 32 bits it will be converted to a 32 bit number and you will lose the bits that are larger than 32 bits causing bugs in your code.

Solution

To avoid this problem you can use Big Ints to store the number. This will allow you to bitshift a number that is larger than 32 bits without losing any bits. However, you will need to convert the number back to a 64 bit floating point number after the bitshift is complete if you want the build in javascript Math functions.