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BigInt Data Types in JavaScript

BigInt is a primitive data type in JavaScript. It represents an arbitrary-precision integer. It is used to represent integers larger than the maximum safe integer value.

What is BigInt in JavaScript?

In JavaScript, BigInt is a primitive data type that represents an arbitrary-precision integer. It is used to represent integers larger than the maximum safe integer value.

How to Create BigInt in JavaScript?

You can create BigInt in JavaScript using the following syntax:

Creating BigInt in JavaScript
let bigNumber = 9007199254740991n; // BigInt

console.log(bigNumber); // Output: 9007199254740991n

In the above example, the variable bigNumber is assigned the value 9007199254740991n. The n at the end of the number indicates that it is a BigInt.

Checking for BigInt in JavaScript

You can check if a variable is a BigInt using the typeof operator.

Checking for BigInt in JavaScript
let bigNumber = 9007199254740991n;

console.log(typeof bigNumber); // Output: bigint

In the above example, the typeof operator returns bigint for the bigNumber variable, indicating that it is a BigInt.

BigInt vs. Number

No.BigIntNumber
1.BigInt is used to represent integers larger than the maximum safe integer value.Number is used to represent both integer and floating-point numbers.
2.BigInt is suffixed with n to indicate that it is a BigInt.Number is not suffixed with any character.
3.BigInt is a primitive data type.Number is a primitive data type.
4.BigInt is used to perform arithmetic operations on large integers.Number is used to perform arithmetic operations on numbers.

BigInt Literals

A BigInt literal is created by appending n to the end of an integer or by calling the BigInt() function.

BigInt Literals
let bigNumber1 = 9007199254740991n; // BigInt literal

let bigNumber2 = BigInt(9007199254740991); // BigInt literal using BigInt() function

In the above example, bigNumber1 and bigNumber2 are both BigInt literals.

📝 Note
  • The n at the end of the number indicates that it is a BigInt. You can also create a BigInt using the BigInt() function. For example: let bigNumber = BigInt(9007199254740991);.

  • n is not a part of the number, it is a part of the syntax to create a BigInt.

  • You cannot perform arithmetic operations between BigInt and other number types. You need to convert the other number types to BigInt before performing arithmetic operations.

    perform arithmetic operations between BigInt and other number

  • BigInt is not supported in all browsers. You should check for browser compatibility before using BigInt.

  • BigInt is a new feature in JavaScript and is not supported in older versions of browsers.

  • You can use the typeof operator to check if a variable is a BigInt.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned about the BigInt data type in JavaScript, how to create BigInt in JavaScript, and how to check for BigInt in JavaScript. You also learned that BigInt is a primitive data type that represents an arbitrary-precision integer and is used to represent integers larger than the maximum safe integer value.