BigDecimal, precision and scale : <p>I'm using BigDecimal for my numbers in my application, for example, with JPA. I did a bit of researching about the terms 'precision' and 'scale' but I don't understand what are they exactly.</p>

<p>Can anyone explain me the meaning of 'precision' and 'scale' for a BigDecimal value?</p>

<pre><code>@Column(precision = 11, scale = 2)
</code></pre>

<p>Thanks!</p>
