Phil Richards wrote:
If you change your basis set for dimensional analysis, then length may not be a basis dimension in this new basis set. This different new (derived) definition of "length" dimensionality has to exist in a different namespace to SI length. And it *can't* interoperate with it particularly easily - you would have to specify the transformation of each basis dimension from one family to the other.
I have no idea what all this means. Why would I change my "basis set" (I assume this means a base collection of dimensions) if I want to use SI dimensions? Why should it matter to you that someone else outside of physics might use the library with a completely set of dimensions that are completely disjoint from the dimensions you use? I don't understand why that causes any problems for you, especially if the library is kind enough to provide a layer that predefines the basic physical dimensions and corresponding SI units for you. And why should it matter to you if the library also allows me to use it without any predefined physical dimensions and SI units? Are you objecting to using an mpl map, because you think it'll substantially increase the compilation time? If that turns out to be true, I think you do have a case. Then I think we need two completely separate libraries, one designed specifically for standard physical dimensions and one for user-defined dimensions only.
I am strongly in favor of the former, I have also never understood why the latter couldn't be built using the former anyway, so the library could have two layers to it. The physicists could ignore the lower layer completely, and I could ignore the upper one.
Ok, give a few examples of different basis sets that may be wanted :-) The best thing to drive this forward are real use-cases for the library. Without them, we'll just go round in circles again.
In mathematical finance, the only essential dimensions are time and dimensions derived from time. Why do I want a library that lugs around all the other physical dimensions, too? A general dimension/units library is, I think safe to say, useful anywhere one is doing mathematical computations in a practical setting. Virtually any practical mathematical calculation uses well-defined dimensions and units, and such a library would help guard against incorrect formulas. But I don't have specific examples (my experience is just as limited as yours); I'll have to let others, if any, speak up. And, please, if I'm the only one expressing these extreme views, you're all welcome to ignore and dismiss me. It's clear that a pure physical dimensions library is still extremely useful for a lot of people. I hope that one of you (Phil, Matt, Andy) will find a way to submit something to boost, even if I don't like it at all.