RE: [boost] Re: Dimensional Analysis Interest?

From: Brock Peabody (brock.peabody_at_[hidden])
Date: 2003-10-15 16:07:04

> -----Original Message-----
> From: boost-bounces_at_[hidden] [mailto:boost-bounces_at_[hidden]]
> On Behalf Of Hugo Duncan
> Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 3:01 PM
> To: boost_at_[hidden]
> Subject: [boost] Re: Dimensional Analysis Interest?
> 
> Deane Yang <deane_yang_at_[hidden]> wrote:
> 
> > In other words, the library does not need to
> > explicitly define units or dimensions for velocity, momentum, or energy.
> > These would be automatically derived from the more fundamental
> > dimensions (mass, length, time).
> 
> I'm not sure how this would work outside the metric system, eg gallons,
> or BTU ( http://www.sizes.com/units/british_thermal_unit.htm )

If I understand it like I think I do, it would matter what system you used,
but the library wouldn't be able to do anything to keep you from mixing two
systems.  I could see some utility in being able to say "this is 2 kg"
instead of "this is 2 mass units" so you couldn't use kg and pounds
together... or maybe you could and the system would 'know' what the
difference is.

Brock