How to handle units in c++ interface

Question

I am currently designing an API where I want that the user to be able to write code like this:

PowerMeter.forceVoltage(1 mV);
PowerMeter.settlingTime(1 ms);
         


        

Answer 1

Before you go crazy with anything more complicated, whenever you write new code that takes a quantity as an argument you should name your methods like this so that it's 100% clear:

PowerMeter.forceInMilliVolts( ... )
PowerMeter.settlingTimeInSeconds( ... )

And similarly use variables with the right names e.g.:

int seconds(10);
int milliVolts(100);

This way it does not matter if you have to convert, it is still clear what you are doing e.g.

PowerMeter.settlingTimeInSeconds( minutes*60 );

When you are ready with something more powerful move to that, if you really need to, but make sure you do not lose the clarity of which unit is being used.