Use bigint in JavaScript to work with large integers

Manipulating large integers is a common need in modern application development. While JavaScript offers a Number data type for working with numbers, it has its limitations when dealing with large integers. It is in this context that the BigInt data type in JavaScript arises, which allows us to work with large integers without losing precision.

In this article, we will explore using the BigInt type in JavaScript to perform operations on large integers. We will learn how to declare and use BigInt type variables, as well as perform arithmetic operations and comparisons. We'll also cover some considerations and best practices to keep in mind when working with BigInt.

What is BigInt in JavaScript?

BigInt is a data type introduced in ECMAScript 2020 (also known as ES11) that allows you to work with integers of any magnitude without losing precision. While the Number data type in JavaScript has an upper and lower limit on representing integers, BigInt does not have these limitations and can accurately represent integers, even if they are extremely large.

Declaration and assignment of BigInt variables

In JavaScript, we can declare and assign variables of type BigInt as follows:

let bigNumber = BigInt(9876543210); // Declaration using the BigInt() function let anotherBigNumber = 12345678901234567890n; // Declaration using the suffix "n"

We can see that, by using the function BigInt() or add the suffix n At the end of the number, we explicitly indicate that we want to assign the value to a BigInt variable.

Arithmetic operations with BigInt

Once we have declared BigInt variables, we can perform various arithmetic operations using traditional mathematical operators. For example, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing:

let numberA = BigInt(123); let numberB = BigInt(456); let sum = numberA + numberB; let subtraction = numberA - numberB; let multiplication = numberA * numberB; let division = numberA / numberB;

It is important to note that addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division operations with BigInt can only be performed between BigInt variables. You cannot mix arithmetic operations between BigInt variables and Number variables.

Comparisons with BigInt

When performing comparisons with BigInt variables, we can use traditional comparison operators, such as greater than (>), smaller than (<), equal to (===), etc.

let numberA = BigInt(123); let numberB = BigInt(456); console.log(numberA > numberB); // false console.log(numberA === numberB); // false console.log(numberA < numberB); // true

Considerations when working with BigInt

Although BigInt allows us to work with large integers, it also has some considerations to take into account:

1. Browser Compatibility: Not all browsers support BigInt. Be sure to check compatibility before using it in your application.
2. Performance: BigInt operations may require more resources compared to regular number operations. Consider performance when working with large integers and evaluate whether you really need to use BigInt in each case.
3. Type conversion: Operations cannot be performed between BigInt variables and Number variables directly. If you need to perform mixed operations, you must convert BigInt values to Number and vice versa.
4. Methods and Properties: BigInt offers additional methods and properties that you can explore to perform more complex operations, such as getting the absolute value of a large integer or rounding a large integer up or down.

Conclusion

BigInt in JavaScript allows us to work with large integers precisely and without losing precision. By declaring and assigning BigInt variables, as well as using arithmetic operations and comparisons, we can perform manipulations with integers of any magnitude. However, we must take into account considerations such as browser compatibility and performance, as well as limitations in performing mixed operations with Number variables.

Frequently asked questions

What are large integers?

Large integers are numbers that are above the limits set by the Number data type in JavaScript. These numbers are usually of extremely large magnitudes and need to be represented accurately to avoid data loss.

When should I use BigInt in JavaScript?

You should use BigInt in JavaScript when you need to work with large integers and need to maintain precision. If you are sure that the numbers you will manipulate are small enough and fit within the range of regular numbers, there is no need to use BigInt.

How can I check browser support for BigInt?

You can use the property typeof to check if BigInt is available in the current browser:

if (typeof BigInt !== 'undefined') { // BigInt is available } else { // BigInt is not available }

What is the difference between BigInt and Number in JavaScript?

The main difference between BigInt and Number in JavaScript lies in the ability to represent large integers without losing precision. While Number has upper and lower limits on representing integers, BigInt does not have these limitations. However, BigInt also has some additional considerations to take into account, such as browser compatibility and performance.