ProCalc is a full-featured replacement for Apple's standard Calculator DA. It features a complete set of scientific functions with adjustable display formatting, as well as complete binary math functions with calculations and display in binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal. The scientific mode features selectable scientific, engineering, and decimal-only notation, as well as automatic display notation, with floating or adjustable fixed decimal point. The binary math modes feature selectable number sign (signed or unsigned) and size (byte, word, or long), and complete bit wise operators with 680x0 condition code indicators. You can select from simple sequential operation ordering, algebraic ordering, or Reverse Polish Notation (complete HP-standard RPN, with stack roll and last entry functions, as well as a unique stack indicator in the display). There is also a 10 number memory with 5 operations, an optional automatic constant, and up to 50-levels of nested parenthesis. A scrollable “paper tape” window is available to record and print out your calculations. You can save a tape document to disk and reopen it later to continue your calculations exactly where you left off. There are fully editable physical constants, as well as unit conversions lists, available at any time from the menubar.
ProCalc can be configured as a basic 4-function calculator, similar to the Apple Calculator DA. Click the window zoom box at the upper right of the ProCalc window to toggle between basic and full configurations.
ProCalc provides two options for reducing the size of the calculator, so you can tuck it away in the corner of the screen while working in another application. The first, minimize, reduces the calculator to a small display-only window, in which you still have quick access to all of ProCalc's functions from the keyboard, with full cut & paste support. You can also set ProCalc to display the current time and date while in the background. The second option, iconize, reduces ProCalc to an icon on the desktop. ProCalc can be quickly minimized or iconized by clicking on the iconize button on the calculator.
ProCalc also has a special feature called SwitchBack that allows you to instantly switch back to the calculator while you are working in another application. You can select any combination of the shift, control, option, and command keys to act as your SwitchBack hotkey. There is also a menu command and command-key you can use to easily switch back to the other application. Using these two options, you can quickly and easily switch back and forth between ProCalc and another application.
Balloon Help is available for the calculator buttons, where each button is identified with the full name of the function and its current key assignment, as well as in the Preferences, Key Assignments, and Number Format dialogs.
Keyboard equivalents for all functions are definable, and you can even move the buttons themselves around to suit your own tastes!
A major effort was put into the design, appearance, and operation of ProCalc. Although there are quite a few calculators available for the Mac, ProCalc is one of the easiest and most fun to use. System 7 is fully supported, with Balloon Help and Apple Event support.
