What does it mean for a differential to be exact?

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I know that a differential $dA=B(x,y)dx+C(x,y)dy$ is exact iff

$$\tag{1} \left( \frac{\partial B}{\partial y} \right)_x = \left( \frac{\partial C}{\partial x} \right)_y$$

I do not understand how to interpret this relation. The rate of change of $B$ with respect to $y$ equals to the rate of change of $C$ with respect to $x$?

I understand that if differential of a function $A(x,y)$ is exact, then the function $A$ is a state function, ie. independent of path. For example, for a closed loop

$$\oint dA=0$$

which implies

$$\tag{2} \oint B(x,y)dx=-\oint C(x,y)dy$$

It seems like another condition for exact differential. I am wondering how (1) is related to (2).