dimensional_analyser

A small Rust library for runtime dimensional analysis and unit conversion.

This crate provides:

A Dimension type representing derived physical dimensions (exponents and scaling factor).
A Quantity type that combines a numeric value with a Dimension and supports arithmetic and conversion.
Algorithms to compute exponents required to express a target dimension as a product of base dimensions (uses a Bareiss elimination solver internally).
Several predefined unit systems (SI and example unit sets) in src/dimensions/.

The library is designed to be flexible: you can create new base dimensions at runtime, apply metric prefixes, raise dimensions to powers, and convert between compatible quantities (including exponent-aware conversions, e.g. area/length conversions).

Features

Create base dimensions dynamically with Dimension::new.
Compose and manipulate derived dimensions with multiplication, division and powering.
Convert between quantities that are compatible via exponent solving (e.g., derive energy from mass, length and time).
Includes unit collections in src/dimensions/ such as an SI-like set. Tests demonstrate conversions with imperial and other example units.

Quick example

Example usage (based on src/main.rs and the library docs):

use dimensional_analyser::{Result, dim, dimension::{DIMENSIONLESS, Dimension, Prefix}, dimensions::le_systeme_international_d_unites::{HOUR, JOULE, LITER, MINUTE, base_units::{KILOGRAM, METER, SECOND}}, quantity::{DimensionalAnalysableQuantity, Quantity}};

fn main() -> Result {
	let height       = Quantity::new(5 , dim!(METER));
	let mass         = Quantity::new(15, dim!(KILOGRAM));
	let acceleration = Quantity::new(9.81,dim!(METER SECOND^-2));
	let speed        = Quantity::new(20, dim!(METER SECOND^-1));

	let energy = dim!(JOULE);
	let potential_energy = [&height, &mass, &acceleration].convert_to(energy)?;
	let kinetic_energy = [&mass, &speed].convert_to(energy)? / 2;
	let total_energy = (&potential_energy + &kinetic_energy)?;

	println!("Potential energy: {}", potential_energy);
	println!("Kinetic energy: {}", kinetic_energy);
	println!("Total energy: {}", total_energy);

	Ok(())
}

Crate layout / API overview

src/dimension.rs — core Dimension type, prefixes, exponent algebra, conversion-exponent calculation.
src/quantity.rs — Quantity type, arithmetic (+, -, *, /), and conversion helpers for multiple quantities.
src/bareiss_eliminator.rs — helper matrix code and Bareiss elimination solver used to compute exponents.
src/dimensions/ — predefined unit sets (e.g., SI-like units, examples).

Publicly exported items include (non exhaustive):

Dimension and helpers like Prefix and convenience methods (square, cube, power, prefix).
Quantity with new, convert_to, arithmetic and inspection helpers.
dim! macro and constant-backed unit sets in dimensions.

Refer to the crate-level docs in src/lib.rs for a short annotated example.

There are optional features defined in Cargo.toml: debug-print and sci-notation

Contributing

Bug reports and pull requests are welcome. Please include small, focused changes and tests when appropriate.
Prefer small, well-documented commits.

Notes