[Numpy-discussion] abs for max negative integers - desired behavior?

Hi, I recently ran into this: In [68]: arr = np.array(-128, np.int8) In [69]: arr Out[69]: array(-128, dtype=int8) In [70]: np.abs(arr) Out[70]: -128 Of course, I can see why this happens, but it is still surprising, and it seems to me that it would be a confusing source of bugs, because of course it only happens for the maximum negative integer. One particular confusing result was: In [71]: np.allclose(arr, arr) Out[71]: False I wanted to ask whether this is the desired behavior, and whether it might be worth planning a change in the long term? Best, Matthew