* @return a negative value if {@code a} is less than {@code b}; a positive value if {@code a} is
   *     greater than {@code b}; or zero if they are equal
   */
  public static int compare(byte a, byte b) {
    return toInt(a) - toInt(b);
  }

  /**
   * Returns the least value present in {@code array}, treating values as unsigned.
   *
   * @param array a <i>nonempty</i> array of {@code byte} values