Add numeric types with units as natively supported shared variable data types

[PaulLotz]

Currently the native (by which I mean noncustom) numeric data types for shared variables are pure numbers (i.e., without units).  It is simple enough to add units to, say, a DBL numeric control and define this as a custom type, but the DSC module does not support value-based alarming for custom types.

Since

1) we would like to support value-based alarming AND units

and

2) I suggest this is (or should be) a very common use case

I propose that LabVIEW have numeric types with units as native shared variable data types.

I suggest that using units for engineering applications would be both more convenient and safer. 

I also think this would be quite simple to implement.  The only question is on which unit to do the value-based alarming.  (Likely this would be on the SI unit on the wire.)

I have attached a very simple example that shows the current state of things.

[PaulLotz]

Note that only a few LabVIEW types support units (it doesn't make sense for integers) so this should be really straightforward!

[PaulLotz]

Also, we find that (of course) we want our indicators to show units.  Our options are to use pure numbers and then add free labels to indicate the units or to create custom types with units and abandon alarming (with the DSC Module).  Especially considering that LabVIEW's market targets those making measurements (that have units!) I think this limitation is pretty silly.

[Darren]

Any idea that has received less than 5 kudos within 5 years after posting will be automatically declined.