Re: [xml-dev] What is this principle called: "I' send data in my UOM and

["Pete Cordell" <petexmldev@codalogic.com>]

Hi Roger,

Does this include the option to send lengths in either feet, meters, hands 
(horses), chains (I think that's one!), light years and so on as you wish?

That would worry me!

Thanks,

Pete Cordell
Codalogic Ltd
Interface XML to C++ the easy way using C++ XML
data binding to convert XSD schemas to C++ classes.
Visit http://codalogic.com/lmx/ or http://www.xml2cpp.com
for more info
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Costello, Roger L." <costello@mitre.org>
To: <xml-dev@lists.xml.org>
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 3:15 PM
Subject: [xml-dev] What is this principle called: "I' send data in my UOM 
and you convert it, as needed, to your UOM"?



Hi Folks,

Suppose that every member in a community is required to exchange data using 
one unit of measure. For example, suppose length is required to be expressed 
as a decimal value in centimeters. Consider a system that internally deals 
with length measurements in meters. Suppose the system wishes to exchange 
the value "1/3 meter." Recall that the system is required to exchange values 
in decimal centimeters. However, there is no exact conversion of "1/3 meter" 
to centimeters. Should the system send the value 33 cm, 33.3 cm, 33.33333 
cm? In the general case, the sending system has no insight into the 
precision required by recipients. Exchanging the wrong amount of precision 
could be catastrophic. There is a principle that a sender should transmit 
its original data (e.g., 1/3 meter); it is up to recipients to convert the 
data, if necessary, to the precision they require.

What's the name of the principle? I remember someone on this list talking 
about it long ago. Perhaps Len? Perhaps Walter Perry? (BTW, anyone know the 
whereabouts of Walter?)

/Roger



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