When doing business calculations in Java, especially when it comes to currencies, you would preferably use the_ java.math.BigDecimal_ class to avoid the problems related to floating-point arithmetic, which you might experience if using one of the two primitive types float or double (or one of their boxed type counterparts).

Indeed, the _BigDecimal _class contains a number of methods that can meet most of the requirements of common business calculations.

However, I would like to draw your attention to the most common pitfalls in the use of the _BigDecimal _class and show you how to avoid them, by using the regular _BigDecimal _API on the one hand and a new, customized class that extends _BigDecimal _on the other.

So, let’s start with the regular _BigDecimal _API.

Pitfall #1: The double constructor

Consider the following example:

BigDecimal x = new BigDecimal(0.1);
System.out.println("x=" + x);

Console output: x=0.1000000000000000055511151231257827021181583404541015625

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