New PostgreSQL type, RADEC

[Robert Creager <Robert_Creager@LogicalChaos.org>]

Hey folks,

I've started down the road of implementing a new PostgreSQL type that
I'm calling RADEC.  This type will contain two floating point values
(think complex number).  I'm thinking they would be float4, and then
we'd also want a float8 set (but without the geometric implementation)
for managing partial sums(correct term?) to calculate the mean/sigma of
a bunch of RADEC points which are used to 'create' a star.

What is unique about this type is that the RA and DEC wrap will be
managed (both numerically and proximally).

To be able to use the R-Tree index, the following operators are
considered:
1. << and >> (left of and right of - think points)
2. &< and >& (overlaps to left and overlaps to right - think circles)
3. @         (contained or on - think point contained or on circle )
4. &&        (overlaps - think circles)
5. =~        (same as)

So, I believe that the main one we will want to use is 3.
1 and 2 would be interesting to define, and I'm thinking left if RA
distance is < 0 and right if > 0 (the distance would always be < abs(
180 ) ). But, would anyone see any use for these, or any of them (other
than 3)?


Fishing for comments, before I write too much :-)

Cheers,
Rob

-- 
O_

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