new CTAN package: siunitx

[CTAN Announcements]

>From my upload daemon:

> Name of contribution: siunitx
> Author's name: Joseph Wright
> Location on CTAN: /macros/latex/exptl/siunitx
> Summary description: A comprehensive (SI) units package
> License type: lppl

i have installed the package as suggested, and have made an entry in
the catalogue.

> Announcement text given by the package's contributor:
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> The siunitx package --- A comprehensive (SI) units package
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> Typesetting values with units requires care to ensure that
> the combined mathematical meaning of the value plus unit
> combination is clear.  In particular, the SI units system
> lays down a consistent set of units with rules on how these
> are to be used.  However, different countries and
> publishers have differing conventions on the exact
> appearance of numbers (and units).  A number of LaTeX
> packages have been developed to provide consistent
> application of the various rules: SIunits, sistyle,
> unitsdef and units are the leading examples.  The numprint
> package provides a large number of number-related
> functions, while dcolumn and rccol provide tools for
> typesetting tabular numbers.
> 
> The siunitx package takes the best from the existing
> packages, and adds new features and a consistent interface.
> A number of new ideas have been incorporated, to fill gaps
> in the existing provision.  The package also provides
> backward-compatibility with SIunits, sistyle, unitsdef and
> units. The aim is to have one package to handle all of the
> possible unit-related needs of LaTeX users.
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> This release is the second public version of the package,
> which was originally released as "si" in February 2008.
> Thanks to all of the feedback contributors to date, many of
> whom have provided valuable ideas for this new release.
> The new version brings with a a large number of changes
> (see siunitx.pdf for a full list).  Many of these are
> internal, and so the "headline" changes only are given
> here.
> 
> Major/interface changes:
> - Package name change from si to siunitx, to make searching
> archives easier and to emphasise unit-related nature of the
> package.
> - \unitsym macro renamed \si
> - Now use e-TeX \protected mechanism for all user macros and
> units
> - unitsdef-like unit macros can now be turned on and off,
> allowing direct use of single unit macros in running text
> - Various improvements to handling of numerical input, such
> as removal of excess leading zeros
> - Potential macro names clashes with other packages handled
> better; known clashing macros all available with doubled
> initial letter (e.g. \ssquare, \bbar, ...)
> - \meter added to package kernel
> - \liter defined along with \litre
> 
> Bug fixes:
> - Material added to columns by array package
> ({stuff}>c<{more stuff}) now works correctly when s column
> is last in a table
> - Errors in some unit definitions fixed
> - Fixed minor alignment bug in tabular material
> - Binary units now give correct base when using
> prefixsymbolic=false option
> 
> Option changes:
> - Separated out font macros into unit and value variants
> - Tabular options overhauled: tabalign, tabtextalign,
> tabformat now used for fine control
> - Several options given clearer names
> - New options added to support new features
> 
> New features:
> - Colour support
> - fancynum and fancyunits emulation
> - Better control of alignment of tabular material
> - Automated handling of error data in numbers
> - \per macro can now be set to "sticky"
> 
> Plus a large amount of work on documentation, including
> much better description of package options.  The package
> documentation needs quite a complete TeX system to compile.
> It is therefore provided pre-built in two versions: -
> siunitx.pdf includes code - 158 pages - siunitx-manual.pdf
> - user documentation only, 43 pages The later should be
> okay for most users.
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> Feedback on all aspects of the package is welcome.  The
> current road map allows one more release with arbitrary
> interface changes. Comments on macro and option names are
> therefore particularly welcome at this stage.
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> Please be advised that this package is in beta stage and
> released for testing only. TeX distributors are advised to
> wait for version 1.0. The version number will be stepped up
> to 1.0 as soon as it is considered suitable for general
> distribution.
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Users may view the package catalogue entry at
>  http://www.tex.ac.uk/tex-archive/help/Catalogue/entries/siunitx.html
> or they may browse the package directory at
>  http://www.tex.ac.uk/tex-archive//macros/latex/exptl/siunitx

thanks for the upload.

Robin Fairbairns

For the CTAN team