"Through" or "to" for expression of range

16-bit unsigned short integers that range from 0 through 0xFFFF

16-bit unsigned short integers that range from 0 to 0xFFFF

Which expression is better above?

Solution 1:

• In British English, through means 'up to' (Monday≤Open<Friday) and to means 'up to and including' (Monday≤Open≤Friday).
• In Australian English, it's the other way around.
• In US English, they're interchangeable. People seem to go the way of the Ausies naturally when they hear through in California, at least.

Therefore, the writer has precedence and may assign the intended meaning if he or she feels it is necessary.

Here are some alternatives: from x up to and including y; starting from x ending in/with y; from x, not exceeding y; from x through to y, inclusive.

If you consider through as short-form for "through to the beginning of" ("through non-inclusive" would make sense), it becomes apparent why British English seldom included y in 2011. However, if you look at through independently, "through to the end of", you could imagine time passing through the second object as a thread passes through a needle.

Solution 2:

In British English, "to" can be both inclusive and exclusive. "Through" isn't usually used in this way.

In American English, "through" is inclusive.

So it depends on your audience. To be safe, use something unambiguous: "through to", or "up to and including", or "to X, inclusive".