ReadMe file for ConvertAll
a unit conversion program
Written by Doug Bell
Version 0.5.2
November 2, 2011
Contents
Background
Why write another unit converter? There are plenty of them out
there. Well, I couldn't find one that worked quite the way I
wanted.
With ConvertAll, you can combine the units any way you want. If
you want to convert from inches per decade, that's fine. Or from
meter-pounds. Or from cubic nautical miles. The units don't have to
make sense to anyone else.
Since I'm not in the software business, I'm making this program
free for anyone to use, distribute and modify, as long as it is not
incorporated into any proprietary programs. If you like the software,
feel free to let others know about it. And let me know what you think
- my email address is doug101 AT bellz DOT org
Features
- The base units for conversion may be either typed (with
auto-completion) or selected from a list.
- Units may be selected using either an abbreviation or a full
name.
- Units may be combined with the "*" and "/" operators.
- Units may be raised to powers with the "^" operator.
- Units in the denominator may be grouped with parenthesis.
- Units with non-linear scales, such as temperature, can also be
converted.
- A unit list may be filtered and searched.
- Recently used unit combinations may be picked from a menu.
- Numbers may be entered on either the "From" or the "To" units
side, for conversions in both directions.
- Basic mathematical expressions may be entered in place of
numbers.
- Options control the formatting of numerical results.
- The unit data includes over 500 units.
- The format of the unit data file makes it easy to add additional
units.
- Command line options are available to do conversions without the
GUI.
Legal Issues
ConvertAll is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
the Free Software Foundation; either Version 2 of the License, or (at
your option) any later version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY. See the LICENSE file provided with
this program for more information.
System Requirements
Linux
ConvertAll requires the following libraries:
- Qt (Version 4.1 or higher - see Trolltech for more
information)
- Python (Version 2.3 or higher)
- PyQt (Version 4.0 or higher - see Riverbank
for more information)
Windows
Using the files provided in the binary distribution, ConvertAll
should run on any computer running Win 95, 98, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, or
7.
Installation
Linux
Extract the source files from the convertall tar file, then change to
the ConvertAll directory in a terminal. For a basic
installation, simply execute the following command as root: python
install.py
To see all install options, use: python install.py -h
To install ConvertAll with a different prefix (the default is
/usr/local), use: python install.py -p
/prefix/path
Windows
Simply execute the downloaded installation file
(convertall-x.x.x-install.exe). It will install the program
with its libraries and optionally create file associations and
shortcuts.
If you wish to modify the source code or write your own PyQt programs
for Windows, do not use the above procedure. Instead, you need to
install Python and the binary for PyQt. Then extract the
source code and data files from the Linux version (convertall tar file)
to a directory of your choice and execute the convertall.py
file.
Using ConvertAll
Basics
Simply type a unit name in the "From Unit" edit window. As you
type, the list below the window will scroll to show unit names which
are close matches. Either type the complete unit abbreviation or unit
name or hit the return key to use the unit highlighted in the list.
Of course, clicking with the mouse on a unit in the list will also add
the unit to the edit window. You may also use the up and down arrow
keys to select nearby units from the list.
Repeat the unit selection in the "To Unit" edit window. When done,
if the units are compatible, you will see the numeric edit windows
below the unit lists activate. A number may be entered into either
numeric window and the other window will display the conversion
result.
Combining Units
The real strength of ConvertAll lies in its ability to combine
multiple units. Simply type the unit names with an '*' or a '/'
between them. This allows the entry of units such as "ft*lbf" or
"mi/hr". The '^' symbol may be used for exponents, such as "ft^3" or
"ft*lbm/sec^2". Negative exponents are allowed for units such as
"sec^-1" (per second), but may switch the multiplication or division
symbol ("ft*sec^-2" becomes "ft/sec^2").
Multiplication and division have the same precedence, so they are
evaluated left-to-right. Parenthesis may also be used to group units in
the denominator. So "m / sec / kg" can also be entered as "m / (sec *
kg)". The version with parenthesis is probably less confusing.
The buttons below the unit lists ('X', '/', '^2', '^3') will also
place the operators after the unit nearest to the cursor. The
exponent keys will replace the unit's exponent.
Similarly, clicking on a unit from the list generally replaces the
unit nearest the cursor.
The "Clear Unit" button below the operator buttons may be used to
empty the unit edit window to allow a new unit to be entered.
Shortcuts
When typing unit names, spaces are ignored, so they may be skipped.
It is also generally ignored if a plural form of the unit name is
typed. When a partially typed unit is highlighted in the list,
hitting enter will complete the name. Also, hitting the tab key will
complete the name and move to the next entry field.
The "Recent Unit" button opens a menu of recently used units and
unit combinations. The current unit combination is replaced with any
selections from this menu.
The number to be converted may be entered in either the "From" or
"To" unit side. Standard or scientific notation may be used, or an
expression including the normal math operators (+, -, *, /, **) and
parenthesis may be entered.
Unit Finder
The unit finder can be used to filter units by type and/or search for
units using a text string. It displays a separate unit list in a new
window. The list will be updated based on the filter and search string
entries.
Buttons near the bottom of the finder window add the selected unit to
the units in the main window. The "Replace" buttons replace an entire
combined unit with the selection. The "Insert" button changes only the
part of a combined unit that is active (at the cursor in the main
window).
Options
The "Options..." button allows for changing several default
settings. These settings are automatically stored so that ConvertAll
will re-start with the settings last used.
The first options control the display of numerical results,
including the use of scientific notation and the number of decimal
places. Be cautious about setting the number of decimal places to a
low value, which can result in a significant loss of accuracy. Six
places or higher is recommended (eight is the default).
There is an option to set the number of recent units to be saved.
Setting it to zero will disable the Recent Unit buttons.
There is an option to hide the operator text option buttons (x, /,
^2, ^3, Clear Unit and Recent Unit). These can be hidden to save space
if the keyboard will be used to enter the operators.
Buttons are also included on the options dialog to control the colors
of the text fields.
Non-Linear Conversions
The conversion of some units is non-linear. Examples of these
include the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales (due to an
offset zero point) and the American Wire Gauge (logarithmic). The
non-linear units are labeled as such in the comments column (located
to the right of the "Type" column).
These units can be converted only when they are not combined with
other units or used with an exponential operator. Otherwise the
conversion would not be meaningful.
Command Line Usage
Conversions may be done from the command line (Linux or DOS console)
without invoking the graphical interface. Enter the command
("convertall" on Linux, "convertall_dos" from the Windows binary), the
number, the from unit and the to unit (separated by spaces) to do the
conversion. Unit names containing spaces should be surrounded by
quotes. Or, to be prompted for each unit entry, use the "-i" option
("convertall -i" on Linux, "convertall_dos -i" from Windows).
After the conversion is done, ConvertAll will prompt for a new number
to do the same conversion. Or "n" can be entered to start a new
conversion, "r" to reverse the conversion or "q" to quit.
For a more detailed list of options, use the "-h" option ("convertall
-h" on Linux, "convertall_dos -h" on Windows).
Revision History
November 2, 2011 - Release 0.5.2
Updates:
- Added the microliter volume unit.
- Added the galileo acceleration unit.
- Added the stremma land area unit.
Bug Fixes:
- Changed the method of identifying a "unitless" portion of a unit
to avoid falsely reporting incompatibility between some units when
using language translations.
March 31, 2011 - Release 0.5.1
Updates:
- Added the link length unit.
- Added US survey variations of the mile and chain length
units.
- Added the centigray radiation dose unit.
- Use DOS newline characters in the Windows version of the unit data
file for easier editing by users.
Bug Fixes:
- Fixed incorrect definition of the rad radiation dose unit (it was
off by a factor of 10).
May 2, 2010 - Translation Update 0.5.0b
Updates:
- Added a Spanish translation. The French and German translations
remain unchanged.
April 23, 2010 - Release 0.5.0
New Features:
- Multiplication and division operators now have the same
precedence. In previous versions of ConvertAll, a series of units
after a division symbol were assumed to be in the denominator. Now, a
division operator only affects the unit (or the unit group in
parenthesis) immediately after the operator.
- Parenthesis are now supported to group units in the denominator of
a combined unit. For example, ""m / sec / kg" can also be entered as
"m / (sec * kg)".
- "Recent Unit" buttons have been added that open a menu of recently
used units and unit combinations. A unit selected from the menu will
replace the current unit combination. There is also a new option
dialog entry that controls the maximum length of this menu.
Updates:
- Added the tonne force metric force unit.
- Added hundredweight long and hundredweight short mass units.
- Added an American Wire Gauge (AWG) area unit in addition to the
existing AWG diameter unit.
- Added the tonne oil equivalent and the tonne coal equivalent
energy units.
- Added the ton refrigeration power unit.
- Added the darcy and millidarcy permeability units.
- French and German translations have been added for the user
interface and the unit data. To use them, download and install the
"convertall-i18n..." file for your platform (in addition to installing
the standard ConvertAll package).
Bug Fixes:
- Fixed problems with running in the command line mode from Linux
consoles without X11 present.
September 24, 2009 - Release 0.4.3
New Features:
- Prepared ConvertAll for translation efforts by properly handling
Unicode characters in unit data and by marking internal program
strings for translation. Volunteers for translating ConvertAll into
other languages are welcome.
Updates:
- Added solar mass and pennyweight mass units.
- Added therm and thermie energy units.
- Added gauss and maxwell magnetic units.
- Added the US survey foot length unit.
- Added the mpg imp mileage unit.
- Changed the value of the point unit from the old American point to
the more modern desktop publishing point.
Bug Fixes:
- A critical QString conversion bug that caused ConvertAll to not
run with the latest version of PyQt (4.5.4) was fixed.
- Command line quiet mode was fixed to avoid an interactive prompt
when bad unit data is entered.
May 28, 2008 - Release 0.4.2
Updates:
- Added the "liter per 100 km" unit for fuel consumption.
Bug Fixes:
- Changed the "mach" unit from 331.46 m/s to 340.29 m/s. It is now
correct for STP conditions (15 degrees C). The previous value was for
0 degrees C.
- Fixed a bug that could hide messages about errors in a manually
edited unit data file.
January 22, 2008 - Release 0.4.1
New Features:
- An optional command line mode was added to do conversions without
the graphical interface. Enter the command ("convertall"), the
number, the from unit and the to unit (separated by spaces) to do the
conversion. For a more detailed list of options, enter "convertall
-h" on the command line.
Updates:
- The icon used for ConvertAll has been updated. Thanks to Ricardo
Berlasso for the new artwork.
- Alternate units have been added for kilobyte, megabyte, etc.,
marked "IEC std". These convert using powers of 10, rather than
powers of 2.
- Troy pounds and troy ounces have been added.
- Gigapascal, hectopascal and megabar have been added.
- Hogshead units for wine and beer have been added.
- The Swedish mil unit of distance has been added.
- The Thai rai and ngaan units of land area have been added.
October 5, 2006 - Release 0.4.0
New Features:
- ConvertAll was ported to the Qt4 library. This involved a
significant rewrite of the code. The previous versions used Qt3.x on
Linux and Qt2.3 on Windows. Benefits include updated widgets and
removal of the non-commercial license exception in Windows.
Updates:
- On Windows, the ConvertAll.ini file has been moved from the
installation directory to a location under the "Documents and
Settings" folder. This avoids problems on multi-user systems and for
users with limited access rights.
October 5, 2006 - Release 0.3.2
Updates:
- Added Imperial (UK) gallons, quarts, pints and fluid ounces.
- Added gigagram and teragram units.
- Added the pound-mole unit and clarified that the existing mole is
a gram-mole.
February 14, 2005 - Release 0.3.1
Updates:
- Added the decare unit for land area.
- The Linux installer has been updated to be more robust and give
more install directory options.
Bug Fixes:
- The barn unit, used in particle physics, was corrected. It had
been incorrectly listed as a length unit instead of an area unit.
March 11, 2004 - Release 0.3.0
New Features:
- A unit finder window was added to allow the unit list to be
filtered and searched.
- The size and position of the main and finder windows are now saved
at exit.
- A new option allows the operator text entry buttons (x, /, ^2, ^3
and Clear Unit) to be hidden.
- An install program has been added for windows.
Bug Fixes:
- Fixed Linux install script problems with certain versions of
Python.
November 18, 2003 - Release 0.2.4
Updates:
- Keyboard shortcuts and tab-focus order for the main dialog have
been improved.
- An install script was added for Linux and Unix systems.
- The windows build now uses Python version 2.3 and PyQt version
3.8.
March 24, 2003 - Release 0.2.3
Updates:
- When an expression using division is entered for the number to be
converted, floating point division is now used even if the entries are
integers (Python 2.2 or greater only).
- Mouse wheels are now supported in the unit lists.
- Icon files are now provided with the distribution files.
May 28, 2002 - Release 0.2.2a
Bug Fixes:
- A fix of the Windows binary only. Fixes major problems by
upgrading the library version to PyQt 3.2.4.
May 16, 2002 - Release 0.2.2
Updates:
- ConvertAll has been ported to Qt 3.x. It now works with both Qt
2.x and 3.x using the same source code.
- The help/readme file has been rewritten and now includes section
links.
- The binaries for windows have been updated to Python 2.2 and PyQt
3.2 (but are still using Qt 2.3 Non-commercial).
September 17, 2001 - Release 0.2.1
Bug Fixes:
- Some window captions and icons were corrected.
- A window maximizing bug was fixed.
August 20, 2001 - Release 0.2.0
New Features:
- A major rewrite was done of the conversion engine.
- A new data file format makes it easier to add and verify
units.
- The unit name and abbreviation are now listed separately for
better sorting and searching.
- Entering of units has been improved by changing operator
precedence, by ignoring spaces and plurals, and by changing the
partial selection list highlight.
- An expression can now be used for the number to be
converted.
Updates:
- Many additional units were added to the database.
- For MS Windows users, the binary files were upgraded to PyQt
Version 2.5.
August 10, 2001 - Release 0.1.1
New Features:
- Added color controls to the options dialog.
Updates:
- The convertall.ini file on windows was moved to the program
directory.
Bug Fixes:
- Fixed problems with using the same unit twice in a combined
unit.
- Fixed an occasional shutdown when auto-completing.
- Fixed a problem with the updating of the unit label.
July 28, 2001 - Release 0.1.0
Questions, Comments, Criticisms?
I can be contacted by email at: doug101 AT bellz DOT org
I
welcome any feedback, including reports of any bugs you find. Also, you
can periodically check back to www.bellz.org for any updates.