stmml units: dimensionless and undefined

[Tim Bergsma]

After posting the question, I found an excellent use for both!  Some
attributes really are dimensionless, such as nominal attributes. 
Preserving 'undefined' (as a placeholder) allows system developers to
make 'Units' required, even if all attributes have not yet been
categorized.  I would argue, however, that dimensionless and undefined
should have different descriptions.

Tim.


Matt Jones wrote:
> 
> Sounds ok to me to get rid of one -- probably dimensionless should be
> removed as I'm not sure anyone knows what it means.
> 
> Matt
> 
> Tim Bergsma wrote:
> > Hi.
> >
> > undefined and dimensionless have the same description.  Is there a real
> > difference, and do we need both?
> >
> > Tim.
> >
> > <!--
> > =======================================================================
> > -->
> > <!-- ====================== fundamental SI units
> > =========================== -->
> > <!--
> > =======================================================================
> > -->
> >
> >   <unit id="undefined" name="undefined" unitType="undefined">
> >     <description>unit for fields with no unit</description>
> >   </unit>
> >
> >   <unit id="dimensionless" name="dimensionless" unitType="undefined">
> >     <description>unit for fields with no unit</description>
> >   </unit>
> >
> >
> 
> --
> *******************************************************************
> Matt Jones                                    jones at nceas.ucsb.edu
> http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/    Fax: 425-920-2439   Ph: 907-789-0496
> National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS)
> 
> Interested in ecological informatics? http://www.ecoinformatics.org
> *******************************************************************

-- 
Tim Bergsma
LTER Information Manager
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
Michigan State University
Hickory Corners, MI   49060
616/671-2337
tbergsma at kbs.msu.edu
http://lter.kbs.msu.edu