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A Java extension with support for dimensions
Author(s) -
van Delft André
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
software: practice and experience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1097-024X
pISSN - 0038-0644
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-024x(199906)29:7<605::aid-spe249>3.0.co;2-w
Subject(s) - computer science , java , programming language , programmer , extension (predicate logic) , compiler , real time java , java annotation , point (geometry) , strictfp , java modeling language , mathematics , geometry
We present an extension to the Java language with support for physical dimensions and units of measurement. This should reduce programming errors in scientific and technological areas. We discuss various aspects of dimensions and units, and then design principles for support in programming languages. An overview of earlier work shows that some language extensions focused on units , whereas we argue that dimensions are a better starting point; units can then simply be treated as constants. Then we present the Java extension, and show how to define and use dimensions and units. The communication between the program and the outer world gets special attention. The programmer can still make dimensional errors there, but we claim the risk is reduced. It has been simple to build support for this extension into an existing Java compiler. We outline the applied technique. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.