What is the difference between BigDecimal and int in Java?

The main differences between BigDecimal and int in Java are as follows:

1. Data range: int is a primitive data type in Java, representing integers with a range from -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647; whereas BigDecimal is a class in Java that can represent decimal numbers of any precision, with no fixed range limit.
2. Precision: int is a fixed-precision integer type with a precision of 32 bits, while BigDecimal can represent decimal numbers of any precision, which depends on the precision set by the programmer.
3. Decimal representation: int can only represent integers and cannot represent decimals; while BigDecimal can accurately represent decimals and perform decimal operations with arbitrary precision.
4. Computational precision: int is a primitive data type that may cause overflow or truncation during calculations, whereas BigDecimal allows for precise decimal operations, avoiding the issue of loss of accuracy.
5. Memory consumption: Primitive data types such as int occupy less memory compared to objects of the BigDecimal class, which require more memory space.

In conclusion, the ‘int’ data type is suitable for representing integers, with fast speed and low memory usage, but limited range and precision; while ‘BigDecimal’ is suitable for precise calculations and representing decimal numbers of any precision, but has relatively slower speed and larger memory usage.