Units. [Was: Future = (Vpython + Glowscript) | Glowscript |]

Bruce Sherwood:
> I agree that using units can be a good thing, especially if one gets
> an error message when trying to add 5 kilograms to 3 meters. However,
> among the very many academics I know who use VPython for research or
> educational purposes, no one else has ever asked for VPython to
> support physical units. (This may be a lack of imagination on their
> part, of course.)

There is a Python package "Magnitude" written by Juan Reyero. Did 
anybody try it?

Physical units in a computational context is not a simple issue. For 
simple mechanical systems, OK, but when people have more "universal" 
ambitions, there are some natural conversions, e.g. meters ARE seconds 
if the speed of light is considered to be an universal constant. Many 
physicists use for years the unit system where c = h_slash = 1.
So, I do not think that the reluctance to use explicit SI (or other) 
units has anything to do with the lack of imagination.
Of course, typical VPython users are usually far from such dilemmas, 
but, despite a long history, a coherent introduction of units into a 
computational framework needs more work (in my opinion).

Jerzy Karczmarczuk


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Live Security Virtual Conference
Exclusive live event will cover all the ways today's security and 
threat landscape has changed and how IT managers can respond. Discussions 
will include endpoint security, mobile security and the latest in malware 
threats. http://www.accelacomm.com/jaw/sfrnl04242012/114/50122263/