Parse Python String for Units -

say have set of strings following:

"5 m^2" "17 sq feet" "3 inches" "89 meters" 

is there python package read such strings, convert them si, , return result in easily-usable form? instance:

>>> a=dream_parser.parse("17 sq feet") >>> a.quantity 1.5793517 >>> a.type 'area' >>> a.unit 'm^2' 

is there extension ipython can @ least part of want. it's called ipython-physics

it store value , units , allows (at least) basic math. have never used myself, don't know how easy use in python script