[NTG-context] Spacing in \unit - SOLVED

[Gavin]

Hi Max, Alan, Bruce, Hans, et.al

I solved my four issues with \unit spacing. In the process, I prevented unwanted line breaks and removed an overzealous backspace before division symbols. Below is a MWE that shows all of these issues, as well as pictures of the result with the unmodified phys-dim.mkxl and with my modified phys-dim.mkxl. The final result is exactly what I wanted.

If anyone wants my changes, either for their own use or to improve the distributed phys-dim.mkxl, I’m happy to share.

Thanks for all of your comments!
Gavin


MWE:

\setuppapersize[A5]

\starttext

The \type{\unit} command in text produces \unit{1.23e5 kg m^2/s^2}.

Inline math \type{$\unit$} produces $\unit{1.23e5 kg m^2/s^2}$.

Display math produces
\startformula
 \unit{1.23e5 kg m^2/s^2} + \unit{8.64e5 newton m} = \unit{987,000 joule}
\stopformula

Line breaking in math:

{\hsize=0pt $G = \unit{6.6743e-11 m3 kg-1 s-2}$}

\blank
Line breaking in text:

{\hsize=0pt \unit{6.6743e-11 m3 kg-1 s-2}}

\stoptext

Output with unmodified phys-dim.mkxl:
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: PastedGraphic-3.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 16028 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mailman.ntg.nl/pipermail/ntg-context/attachments/20221012/8671718a/attachment-0002.pdf>
-------------- next part --------------


Output with my modified phys-dim.mkxl:
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: PastedGraphic-2.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 16052 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mailman.ntg.nl/pipermail/ntg-context/attachments/20221012/8671718a/attachment-0003.pdf>
-------------- next part --------------




> On Oct 10, 2022, at 12:15 AM, Max Chernoff via ntg-context <ntg-context at ntg.nl> wrote:
> 
> Hi Alan,
> 
>> I would very strongly argue that the space between the number and the
>> following units be UNBREAKABLE. Perhaps a thin space (preference), but
>> most certainly non-breakable.
>> 
>> Similarly around the times in scientific notation.
>> 
>> I further cannot imagine that a line break be acceptable around a \cdot
>> in composite units.
>> 
>> This can possibly lead to overfill and underfill, something that I find
>> *infinitely* more acceptable then breaking numbers and units.
> 
> Yes, I agree completely here.
> 
>> I do not know or use the \units command. Maybe it uses unbreakable
>> spaces, maybe not. I would never use it unless it could be configured
>> to only use nonbreakable spaces. 
> 
> The current behaviour doesn't break the unit from the number, but it
> does split the scientific notation.
> 
> This test file:
> 
>   \starttext
>   \hsize=0pt Math: $G = \unit{6.6743e-11 m3 kg-1 s-2}$
> 
>   \hsize=0pt Text: \unit{6.6743e-11 m3 kg-1 s-2}
>   \stoptext
> 
> gives:
> 
>   Math:
>   𝐺=
>   6.6743×
>   10–11m3⋅kg–1⋅s–2
>   Text:
>   6.6743
>   ×
>   10−11 m3⋅kg−1⋅s−2
> 
> which isn't great. In my opinion, the \unit command should be typeset in an
> \hbox (or similar) since I can't think of any circumstances where breaking
> it would be reasonable.
> 
> Thanks,
> -- Max
> ___________________________________________________________________________________
> If your question is of interest to others as well, please add an entry to the Wiki!
> 
> maillist : ntg-context at ntg.nl / https://www.ntg.nl/mailman/listinfo/ntg-context
> webpage  : https://www.pragma-ade.nl / http://context.aanhet.net
> archive  : https://bitbucket.org/phg/context-mirror/commits/
> wiki     : https://contextgarden.net
> ___________________________________________________________________________________