Let's dive into the details of what's being tested on MeasureThat.net.

What is being tested?

The benchmark is testing the performance of different libraries for handling large decimal numbers:

1. bignumber.js
2. big.js
3. decimal.js

Each library has its own implementation of arithmetic operations (addition, multiplication, etc.) and formatting functions (e.g., toFixed()).

Options being compared

The benchmark is comparing the performance of each library under two different scenarios:

1. Native: This option uses the built-in JavaScript support for decimal numbers, which is implemented in the ECMAScript standard.
2. Native + toFixed: This option adds an additional formatting step using the toFixed() function.

Pros and Cons

Here's a brief summary of each library's pros and cons:

• bignumber.js
  • Pros: High-performance arithmetic operations, supports arbitrary-precision numbers, easy to use.
  • Cons: Steeper learning curve due to its custom syntax and API.
• big.js
  • Pros: Fast and efficient, supports decimal arithmetic with high precision, relatively simple API.
  • Cons: Smaller community support compared to bignumber.js, some users find the API less intuitive.
• decimal.js
  • Pros: Robust implementation of decimal arithmetic, easy to use, widely adopted in financial and scientific applications.
  • Cons: Slower performance compared to bignumber.js and big.js, more complex API.

Other considerations

When choosing a library for handling large decimal numbers, consider the following factors:

• Performance: If high-performance arithmetic operations are crucial, bignumber.js or big.js might be a better choice. Otherwise, decimal.js' robust implementation and ease of use might be more suitable.
• API simplicity: If you prefer a simple and intuitive API, decimal.js or bignumber.js might be a better fit. Big.js has a relatively straightforward API but may require some learning curve for advanced users.
• Community support: If you need help with the library or want to contribute to its development, consider the size of each library's community.

Library descriptions

Here's a brief description of each library:

• bignumber.js: Developed by Mike McLaughlin, this library provides high-performance arithmetic operations for arbitrary-precision numbers. It's widely used in financial and scientific applications.
• big.js: Created by the Big.js project team, this library offers fast and efficient decimal arithmetic with high precision. It's designed for use cases where simple, intuitive API is sufficient.
• decimal.js: Developed by Mike McLaughlin (same author as bignumber.js), this library provides a robust implementation of decimal arithmetic with high precision. It's widely adopted in financial and scientific applications due to its ease of use and reliability.

Special JS features or syntax

None of the libraries mentioned above uses special JavaScript features or syntax that would require additional explanation.