Integer Cents Representation
Integer Cents Representation is a programming technique for handling monetary values by storing them as integers representing the smallest unit of currency (e.g., cents for USD). This avoids floating-point rounding errors inherent in using decimal or float types for financial calculations. It ensures precision in arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, and comparison, which is critical for applications involving money.
Developers should use this concept when building financial software, e-commerce systems, or any application that requires exact monetary calculations to prevent inaccuracies from floating-point imprecision. It is essential for scenarios like processing payments, calculating taxes, or managing account balances where even minor errors can lead to significant financial discrepancies or compliance issues.