Re: Data functions (like ElementData) and physical units
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg83057] Re: Data functions (like ElementData) and physical units
- From: John Jowett <John.M.Jowett at gmail.com>
- Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2007 05:11:12 -0500 (EST)
- References: <fgs95u$56i$1@smc.vnet.net><fgurt5$roi$1@smc.vnet.net>
On Nov 8, 12:28 pm, Chris Chiasson <chris.chias... at gmail.com> wrote: > On Nov 7, 5:56 am, John Jowett <John.M.Jow... at gmail.com> wrote: > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>>SNIP> > I am self-censoring my comments about the overall utility of the data > functions (and the physical constants package) for real work. Chris, I have to remark that I find these packages very useful for my work (I'm not sure if that counts as "real work" ...). And I think the data functions are a beautiful idea. However I do use a package of my own to enhance PhysicalConstants. It creates protected symbolic versions of the constants (like c for SpeedOfLight) which don't evaluate numerically until you apply N[ ] to them (just like Pi or E) so physical formulas don't immediately collapse into a mixture of symbols, numbers and units. Working with units, dimension checking, etc. is often very convenient in physics. It is presently being adapted for Version 6 but will soon be ready. John