Re: [boost] Boost Units feedback

From: Paul A Bristow (pbristow_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-09-18 09:45:02

|  -----Original Message-----
|  From: boost-bounces_at_[hidden] 
|  [mailto:boost-bounces_at_[hidden]] On Behalf Of Matthias Schabel
|  Sent: 13 September 2006 20:49
|  To: boost_at_[hidden]
|  Subject: Re: [boost] Boost Units feedback
|  
|  Deane, Paul, and any others who have had the time to play with the  
|  mcs::units code/documentation -
|  
|  In the hopes of getting some traction on a discussion of 
|  requirements  
|  for a boostified dimensional analysis/units library, do you 
|  have any  
|  comments on the interface/design/implementation/functionality. What  
|  features are missing that would be desirable? Are there 
|  other issues  
|  that should be addressed in the library. Is it worth expending the  
|  effort to prepare it for Boost review? Is the documentation 
|  adequate?  
|  What else would need to be done to get the library Boost 
|  ready (other  
|  then license changes)?
|  
|  Any input would be welcome.

I'm sorry I have been away and haven't been able to reply to this before.

I'm also sorry that I really haven't got a grip on the relevant merits of
the various attempts at the units and dimensions problem, nor do I see
having time or neurons enough to do so.

All that I am certain is that it is they really important nuts to crack with
enormous practical utility and benefit.

The detailed requirements are difficult to agree, let alone define.  For me,
just getting the SI units (and dimension checking) to work would be a
massive step forward.  But there are others who live in a different
time-sapce continuum ;-)  making mission creep difficult to avoid.

I see a chicken and egg problem - what is really needed is a group of
real-life users, preferably in a reasonable range of problem domains, but
not necessarily including relativistic ones, who are happy that it meets
their requirements.  But until it is a Boost library, they are reluctant to
even try it.

So I am sorry that I can't give you anything but encouragement to keep
working.  For me, it is many more examples and users that would sell it.

Paul

---
Paul A Bristow
Prizet Farmhouse, Kendal, Cumbria UK LA8 8AB
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pbristow_at_[hidden]