Custom type for scalars and vectors in julia

CustomType.jl

# Custom type, that can store scalars of vectors in Julia

NumberOrVector = Union{Number, Vector}

# input data
type Project
    p_el_nom::NumberOrVector          # electrical generator power in kW
    rel_drum_diameter::NumberOrVector # ratio of the drum diameter and the tether diameter
    rpm_generator::NumberOrVector     # nominal speed of the electrical machine
    z_ref::NumberOrVector             # reference height for wind profile law
    alpha::NumberOrVector             # exponent of the wind profile law; default: for Cabauw
    rho0::NumberOrVector              # air density at the ground
    elevation:: NumberOrVector        # elevation angle in degrees
    v_wind_nom:: NumberOrVector       # nominal ground wind speed
    v_ro_rel:: NumberOrVector         # relative nominal reel-out speed (to windspeed at kite)
    cl_wing::NumberOrVector
    cd_wing::NumberOrVector
    cd_tether::NumberOrVector
    strength::NumberOrVector          # nominal force of a tether with 4 mm diameter
    rel_delta_l::NumberOrVector       # relative difference between max. and min. tether length
end

Project(f::Vector) = Project(similar(f),similar(f),similar(f),similar(f),similar(f),similar(f),similar(f),
                             similar(f),similar(f),similar(f),similar(f),similar(f),similar(f),similar(f))
Project() = Project(1.5, 30.0, 1500.0, 10.0, 0.23375, 1.225, 25.0, 6.0, 0.20686, 1.3, 0.1413, 1.0, 4000.0, 30.0)

Base.copy(p::Project) = Project(copy(p.p_el_nom), copy(p.rel_drum_diameter), copy(p.rpm_generator), copy(p.z_ref),
                                copy(p.alpha), copy(p.rho0), copy(p.elevation), copy(p.v_wind_nom),
                                copy(p.v_ro_rel), copy(p.cl_wing), copy(p.cd_wing), copy(p.cd_tether),
                                copy(p.strength), copy(p.rel_delta_l))

function Base.show(io::IO, pro::Project)
    println(io, "p_el_nom: $(pro.p_el_nom) kW")
    println(io, "rel_drum_diameter: $(pro.rel_drum_diameter) [-]")
    println(io, "rpm_generator: $(pro.rpm_generator) rpm")
    println(io, "z_ref: $(pro.z_ref) m")
    println(io, "alpha: $(pro.alpha)")
    println(io, "rho0: $(pro.rho0) kg / m³")
    println(io, "elevation: $(pro.elevation)°")
    println(io, "v_wind_nom: $(pro.v_wind_nom) m/s")
    println(io, "v_ro_rel: $(pro.v_ro_rel)")
    println(io, "cl_wing: $(pro.cl_wing)")
    println(io, "cd_wing: $(round(pro.cd_wing, 2))")
    println(io, "cd_tether: $(pro.cd_tether)")
    println(io, "strength: $(pro.strength) N")
    println(io, "rel_delta_l: $(pro.rel_delta_l) %")
end

function push_project!(projects, pro::Project)
    push!(projects.p_el_nom, pro.p_el_nom)
    push!(projects.rel_drum_diameter, pro.rel_drum_diameter)
    push!(projects.rpm_generator, pro.rpm_generator)
    push!(projects.z_ref, pro.z_ref)
    push!(projects.alpha, pro.alpha)
    push!(projects.rho0, pro.rho0)
    push!(projects.elevation, pro.elevation)
    push!(projects.v_wind_nom, pro.v_wind_nom)
    push!(projects.v_ro_rel, pro.v_ro_rel)
    push!(projects.cl_wing, pro.cl_wing)
    push!(projects.cd_wing, pro.cd_wing)
    push!(projects.cd_tether, pro.cd_tether)
    push!(projects.strength, pro.strength)
    push!(projects.rel_delta_l, pro.rel_delta_l)
    return projects
end

# create a scalar project
pro = Project()

# create a project, that keeps vectors of numbers
projects = Project(Number[])

# push the scalar project to the projects structure
push_project!(projects, pro)

# create a copy of the project template
pro2 = copy(pro)

# modify the copy
pro2.p_el_nom = 2.0

# push the copy to the projects structure
push_project!(projects, pro2)