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BaseType.jl

Dev Build Status Aqua

This package currently exports a tiny function base_numeric_type that extracts the base numeric type from a numeric type T:

  • base_numeric_type(::Type{T}) where {T}
  • base_numeric_type(x::T)

For example,

Input Type Output Type
Float32 Float32
ComplexF32 Float32
Measurement{Float32} Float32
Dual{BigFloat} BigFloat
Dual{ComplexF32} Float32
Rational{Int8} Int8
Quantity{Float32, ...} Float32
Quantity{Measurement{Float32}, ...} Float32

Package maintainers should write a specialized method for their type. For example, to define the base numeric type for a dual number, one could write:

import BaseType: base_numeric_type

base_numeric_type(::Type{Dual{T}}) where {T} = base_numeric_type(T)

It is important to call base_numeric_type recursively like this to deal with nested numeric types such as Quantity{Measurement{T}}.

The fallback behavior of base_numeric_type is to return the first type parameter, or, if that type has parameters of its own (such as Dual{Complex{Float32}}), to recursively take the first type parameter until a non-parameterized type is found. This works for the vast majority of types, but it is still preferred if package maintainers write a specialized method.