Units of Measure: Proposal for TypeScript

Overview

Units of measure is a useful F# feature that provides the optional ability to create tighter constraints on numbers.

TypeScript could benefit from a similar feature that would add zero runtime overhead, increase type constraints, and help decrease programmer error when doing mathematical calculations that involve units. The feature should prefer explicity.

Defining Units of Measure

Units of measure should probably use syntax similar to type aliases (#957). More discussion is needed on this, but for the purpose of this document it will use the following syntax:

type measure <name> [ = measure expression ];

The optional measure expression part can be used to define a new measures in terms of previously defined measures.

Example Definitions

type measure m;
type measure s;
type measure a = m / s**2;

Units of measure can be defined in any order. For example, a in the example above could have been defined before m or s.

Circular Definitions

Circular definitions are NOT allowed. For example:

type measure a = b;
type measure b = a; // error

Use with Number

Units of measure can be defined on a number type in any of the following ways:

type measure m;

// 1. Explicitly
let distance: number<m> = 12<m>;
// 2. Implictly
let distance = 12<m>;
// 3. Using Number class
let distance = new Number(10)<s>;

TODO: Maybe we shouldn't use the <m> syntax because it might conflict with jsx files.

Detailed Full Example

type measure m;
type measure s;
type measure a = m / s**2;

let acceleration = 12<a>,
    time         = 10<s>;

let distance = 1/2 * acceleration * (time ** 2); // valid -- implicitly typed to number<m>
let avgSpeed = distance / time;                  // valid -- implicitly typed to number<m/s>

time += 5<s>;         // valid
time += 5;            // error -- cannot convert number to number<s>
time += distance;     // error -- cannot convert number<m> to number<s>

// converting to another unit requires asserting to number then the measure
time += (distance as number)<s>; // valid

acceleration += 12<m / s**2>;         // valid
acceleration += 10<a>;                // valid
acceleration += 12<m / s**2> * 10<s>; // error -- cannot convert number<m/s> to number<a>

Use With Non-Unit of Measure Number Types

Sometimes previously written code or external libraries will return number types without a unit of measure. In these cases, it is useful to allow the programmer to specify the unit like so:

type measure s;

let time = 3<s>;
    
time += MyOldLibrary.getSeconds();    // error -- type 'number' is not assignable to type 'number<s>'
time += MyOldLibrary.getSeconds()<s>; // valid

Dimensionless Unit

A dimensionless unit is a unit of measure defined as number<1>.

let ratio = 10<s> / 20<s>; // implicitly typed to number<1>
let time: number<s>;

time = 2<s> * ratio;         // valid
time = time / ratio;         // valid
time = (ratio as number)<s>; // valid
time = 2<s> + ratio;         // error, cannot assign number<1> to number<s>
time = ratio;                // error, cannot assign number<1> to number<s>
time = ratio<s>;             // error, cannot assert number<1> to number<s>

Scope

Works the same way as type.

External and Internal Modules

Also works the same way as type.

In addition, if an external library has a definition for meters and another external library has a definition for meters then they should be able to be linked together by doing:

import {m as mathLibraryMeterType} from "my-math-library";
import {m as mathOtherLibraryMeterType} from "my-other-math-library";
    
type measure m = mathLibraryMeterType | mathOtherLibraryMeterType;

TODO: The above needs more thought though.

Definition File

Units of measure can be defined in TypeScript definition files ( .d.ts) and can be used by any file that references it. Defining units of measure in a definition file is done just the same as defining one in a .ts file.

Compilation

The units of measure feature will not create any runtime overhead. For example:

type measure cm;
type measure m;

let metersToCentimeters = 100<cm / m>;
let length: number<cm> = 20<m> * metersToCentimeters;

Compiles to the following JavaScript:

var metersToCentimeters = 100;
var length = 20 * metersToCentimeters;

Math Library

Units of measure should work well with the current existing Math object.

Some examples:

Math.min(0<s>, 4<m>); // error, cannot mix number<s> with number<m> -- todo: How would this constraint be defined?

let volume = Math.pow(2<m>, 3)<m**3>;
let length = Math.sqrt(4<m^2>)<m>;

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