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A Scientific Calculator ----------------------- Version 1.06d (16-Jul-92) * If you do not read documentation then please note the * * following 'key' (sic) features of this calculator. * * * * Result dragging * * Key short cuts ( + translation table) * * Fully algerbaic * * Constant operations * * Adjust acesses the inverse function * * This app is fast approaching its FOURTH birthday - * * long term users please read the questions near the * * of this document and - perhaps - reply. * Files included in this package :- !Run !RunImage !Sprites !Help [this file] Templates Sprites HelpText KeyTable MakeTable chkspr ) my chkspr util, rename the app and see what !Boot ) happens (nothing!), description in Comments. This scientific calculator was written to forefill the need of a decent scientific calc under RISC OS. Since it was first written several pd SciCalcs have surfaced (even Acorn had its hand in one) but I feel that this calc is significantly better and more useable; the decision is yours! Introduction ------------ The calculator is fully algerbraic. [ This means expressions are evaluated using BODMAS order (Brackets, Power, Multiple/Divide, Add/Subtract - where brackets are evaluated first). Hence 2+3*4 is calculated as 2+(3*4) unlike non-algerbraic calculators that would evaluate (2+3)*4 ] Also the calculator handles magnitudes greater than 99999999, using 9 digits with scientific notation (9 digits because the tenth digit in BBC BASIC 5 is generally wrong when doing function calculations) NOTE The largest number handled is of the order 1*10^32, this is the largest number BBC BASIC 5 can use - if this application is run on a, hypothical, new version of BASIC supporting extra precision then this should be no problem. Ontop of all this the calculator has a very large range of scientific functions, with which anyone who has ever used a casio calculator ought to feel familar with (version 1.00 was based extreemly closely on the fx350). Usage ----- Functions are accessed by using the standard 'Reverse-Polish' method used on normal calculators (eg 20 sin rather than sin 20). To use a function on the currently displayed number click select on the funtion name *** The inverse function of a key is available *** *** by clicking ADJUST rather than SELECT *** (ie SELECT for sin, ADJUST for arcsin). Unobvious Adjust functions are:- EXP where SELECT sets the multiplying power of ten and ADJUST gives PI (EXP also gives PI if you have not entered any digits after a clear or equals). rnd where SELECT fixs the display (see menu options below) and ADJUST gives a random number. If an algerbraic operation (*/+-^) is clicked on twice then the calculator enters 'constant' mode, a 'K' lights up in the top left hand corner of the window to signify this. Once in constant mode the selected algerbraic operation is repeated with the current register on any entered numbers each time = is clicked (try it and see!). Constant mode is canceled by AC or entering any other algerbric operation. Clicking on SciCalc's iconbar sprite or on the calculator's keys will cause the calculator to claim the caret and then numbers (including hex) can be entered via the keyboard or keypad. Note if numlock is off you will not be able to use the keypad(!). <Escape> will return the caret to its original position. NOTE # is AC, <delete> is C and <SH><del> is AC Memory ------ Memory funtions avaliable are :- MR Memory recall M+ (SELECT) Memory plus M- (ADJUST on M+) Memory minus Min Memory set to display To clear the memory SELECT clear and then SELECT Min If a number is stored in the memory then the memory indicator (small M in the top left corner) is 'lit up'. Menu Options ------------ Option 'Ascii' This option has a submenu which displays all the ASCII characters in a window. To place an ascii value of a character in the display icon simply click on that character (clicking with select removes the window, clicking with adjust does not!). The ASCII value of the character will be displayed in the current base in the display icon. Options 'Degrees' and 'Hex' To change the current angular measure choose the approprate item. All angular functions will now operate in this measure and the correct angular measure indicator will 'light up'. The angular measure may also be set by clicking on the approprate indicator. Options 'Dec', 'Hex' and 'Bin' To change the current display base choose the approprate item. 'Dec' represents base 10 (the usual one!), 'Hex' base 16 and 'Bin' base two. The display icon will change to the approprate base and the correct base indicator will 'light up'. The base may also be set by clicking on the approprate indicator. NOTE: In base 16 sin, cos, tan, 1/x, log and ln become A, B, C, D, E and F for hex entry. In bases 16 and 2 the following functions cease to work (function!) sin, cos, tan, root, 1/x, log, ln, rnd, rnd#, EXP. Options 'Norm','Fix' and 'Sci' To change the method of displaying base ten numbers choose the approprate item from the approprate submenu (ie for fix 3 choose '3' from the 'Fix' submenu). 'Fix' specifies the number of decimal places to be displayed (rounding if nessecary) the number if required, 'Sci' specifies the number of significant digits past the decimal point under scientific notation (again rounding if nessecary). 'Norm' unsets the 'Fix' and 'Sci' choice and returns the display mode to the one chosen by the application as approprate NOTE: The function 'rnd' will set the internal register to the value of the displayed register (ie if you are using Fix 3 to show 3.14159265 the the display is 3.142 and on clicking rnd the register storing 3.14159265 becomes 3.142 so if you choose 'Norm' the display is still 3.142). Norm unsets Fix and Sci settings. Result Dragging --------------- The value currently displayed (in the format displayed) can be transfered from !SciCalc to any other application (or the filer) as a textfile. To store the value simply drag the display icon onto the receiving application. The receiving application will treat this as it would when a textfile is dragged onto it. To facilite this !SciCalc does not claim the caret when you click on the display icon (whereas it does if you click on any other). Sometimes it is either inconvient or impossible to drag the display icon onto the receiving application (eg a writeable icon). The result can be sent as if is was typed in by placing the pointer over the calculator and pressing <SHIFT>. The <SHIFT> facilty is also particulay useful when using !Edit because !Edit does not move the caret to the end of a inserted file, the <SHIFT> facility does this by default. (Note Impression does not have this problem and drags can be done easily.) Appendix 1 - Functions --------------------- Key Select Adjust ----------------------------------------------------------- ! sin ! Sine (x) ! Arcsine (x) ! ! cos ! Cosine (x) ! Arccosine (x) ! ! tan ! Tangent (x) ! Arctangent (x) ! ! 1/x ! The reciprocal of x ! --- ! ! log ! Log base 10 (x) ! 10 to the power x ! ! ln ! Log base e (x) ! e to the power x ! ! EXP ! pi or time 10^(entry) ! pi ! ! ! ! x factorial ! --- ! ! Min ! put x in the memory ! --- ! ! M+ ! add x to the memory ! add -x to the memory ! ! MR _ ! display the memory ! --- ! ! € ! the square root of x ! x² ! ! x^y ! x raised to power entry ! x^(1/y) ! ! not ! logical not x ! --- ! ! and ! logical and x with entry ! --- ! ! or ! logical or x with entry ! --- ! ! eor ! logical eor x with entry ! --- ! ! rnd ! Register set to display ! Random # from 0 to 1 ! ! AC ! Clears all except memory ! --- ! ! C ! Clears display only ! --- ! ! +/- ! swaps the sign of x ! --- ! ! ( ! Open bracket,20 levels ! --- ! ! ) ! Close bracket ! --- ! ----------------------------------------------------------- Appendix 2 - Key short cuts --------------------------- The following keys are short cuts to their 'iconsakes' :- 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - + / * = ( ) The following keys are short cuts to their 'iconsakes' only in base 16 (case unimportant) :- A B C D E F The following keys are mapped as such :- <Delete> Clear <Shift><Delete> All Clear # Clear Appendix 3 - Versions --------------------- v1.03 Due to popular appeal (well I did ask for comments!) I have now made the mode buttons act to clicks (fix and sci do not but no benefit would be gained if you could). The divide key has been 'spriteized' (cos someone who obviously doesn't use Latin 1 asked me to). v1.04 Hex input can be in upper or lower case (thanks Damon). Fixed the caret claiming bug (for good?) Dragable results (idea from Keith Slone, thanks!) v1.05 ASCII table added When <SHIFT> is pressed the pointer need not be on the display icon. Calculator now starts at its template file position! v1.05b Oh well - so there were a couple bugs that I didn't check in my hurry to release the 1.05 version (b for bug fix!). Now the window for the ascii table is big enough(!) and mode changes are handled properly (I AM slacking a bit!) v1.06 Well,well,well. I found a bug that has been resident for yonks! (goes to show I actually use it!) - but I fixed it. Now brackets ought to work perfectly. FINALLY implemented constant operations (who noticed it was in the template defn?) Ok, outside stats fns I think I have done all I want to do on this app now. I am planning on writing a statistical analyser - so watch out! v1.06c Bug fixes again. The constant feature turned on incorrectly (2*3*4 turned it on because there are two *s !). Also clicking on the iconbar sprite claims the caret. This must be it! v1.06d Bug fixes again! Fix and Sci didn't work properly (ta Mike Smith) & fixed a few niggles I noticed when playing. Changed my help system over to msgtrans (hmm, my system was basically the same, just slower cos in BASIC!). Comments after 4 years! ----------------------- Yes indeed - this app is now about FOUR YEARS old! Question - Who has been using it for more than two? (if you have - what are YOUR niggles with it?) Question - Does it look nice? Question - How do you people rate this app to the competition. (Does it need a revamp?) Question - Who uses the ASCII table? No one has ever commented about the key short cuts. Question - Does this mean everyone is happy with them as they are or has someone found a more comprehensive set? Question - Do you really use result dragging - Can I improve the output format? (user defined) Question - More functions? (extra popup key window?) Which? Answers on a postcard(!) or Arcade or maurp@csv.warwick.ac.uk Comments - For advanced users ----------------------------- The file 'KeyTable' holds the key translation array, this has been created using the file 'MakeTable'. This array maps ASCII values to icon numbers. Simply the file holds one byte for every ASCII character from 32 (space) to 94 (^). The byte stores the icon to be 'clicked' if that particular key is pressed. The supplied translation table just translates the numbers and arithmetic operators, if you wish to translate other functions just call up the template in !FormEd, find the icon number for the function, set the appropriate line in 'MakeTable' to the icon number and run it to create the new table (ASCII 255 = no translation). The ChkSpr Utility The chkspr utility will, when run, examine the '!Sprites' file and check if the first sprite is the application's name. If not that sprite's name will be changed to the application directory's name. The !Boot file contains 'Run ChkSpr', this runs the util, the next line contains 'IconSprites <Obey$Dir>.!Sprites' this loads the new sprite in. The filer always calls any new (ie renamed) app's !Boot file so the new sprite is automatically loaded for display. Please feel free to use the utility separately from the rest of the package but please note that the conditions set out below apply to it. Conditions of Use ----------------- This application is supplied free to everyone 'as is', I do not give any guarantee that it is free of bugs, or supply any warranty about its suitabliliy for use. However if there are any problems with it and you notify me of them then I probably will do my best to recify them. You may give this application to anyone, via any medium, so long as :- 1) It is delivered with ALL the supplied files and unaltered (except !Run & !Boot files) . 2) It is not supplied on a disc you are charging for (except for media and postage costs). You have permission to use any part or the whole application in a project you intend to place in the public domain, as long as I am fully credited. If you wish to use these routines in a program that is for sale (for however much and for whatever reasons) or released as copyright material then my express permission in writing must be obtained. I maintain copyright on all the material supplied and reserve the right to amend these conditions in cases where I deem misuse. A large number of hours of work have gone into the production and maintenance of this application and although I have supplied the application free, donations will be gratefully received (and if over 7 pounds I will send you a disc with updates of this and all other pd stuff I have written. Please include a letter telling me which apps of mine you use and their version numbers). Contacts -------- My address: 6 Parklands Place, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2PS. BBS I call frequently: Arcade BBS [081 654 2212] mbx 23 Email address (the best way to contact me) maurp@csv.warwick.ac.uk © Emmet Spier 1992 - USE and Enjoy!