FLP08-J. Avoid using floating point literals with the BigDecimal constructor

Decimal numbers cannot be precisely represented as a BigDecimal if the BigDecimal(double val) constructor is used. The primitive type double cannot precisely represent all decimal fractions because its underlying representation is binary. Consequently, the input to the BigDecimal(double val) constructor can lose precision before the constructor is ever invoked.

Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code example passes a double value to the BigDecimal constructor. Because of this, precision of the literal is affected.

// prints 0.1000000000000000055511151231257827021181583404541015625
System.out.println(new BigDecimal(0.1)); 

Compliant Solution

This compliant solution passes the decimal literal as a String so that the BigDecimal(String val) constructor is invoked.

// prints 0.1
System.out.println(new BigDecimal("0.1"));

Risk Assessment

Using the BigDecimal(double val) constructor with decimal floating point literals leads to loss of precision.

Automated Detection

Automated detection appears to be straightforward.

Related Vulnerabilities

Search for vulnerabilities resulting from the violation of this guideline on the CERT website.

Bibliography

[JLS 2005]

FLP07-J. Do not use floating point variables as loop counters      07. Floating Point (FLP)      FLP09-J. Do not rely on the default string representation of floating point values