OS/2 Shareware BBS: Science/Science.zip/pmcalc32.zip/pmcalc_e.HLP

OS/2 Help File | 2000-03-26 | 76KB | 984 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

  pmCalc

Version 3.2, March 2000

   o  does not try to simulate a real calculator: For example, it does not have
      an "=" button. The notation of the formulas is like in a programming
      language. Nevertheless, there is a calculator-like mouse interface.

   o  is Shareware. Without a registration key, you will get sometimes an info
      screen at the beginning - there's no other limitation.

   o  is a true 32 bit program, available for Win95/NT and OS/2.

   o  recalculates the result after every keystroke. You have an entry field
      and a separate result field. If a formula is incomplete or erroneous,
      pmCalc will display a detailed error message instead of the result. You
      can choose between different output formats.

   o  supports easy transfer of input and output through the clipboard.

   o  enables calulating with variables: X in the main entryfield will be
      replaced by the contents of the X entryfield.

   o  recalculates variables like X if the result is given: for this regression
      in one dimension, press the reg button

   o  supports scientific functions (press the fct button for an extended
      keyblock).

   o  offers programmers functionality: hexadecimal, octal, binary and Ascii
      input, overflow simulation of integer variables (press the prg button).

   o  remembers the last 20 inputs (last20 list) and saves formulas
      permanently.

   o  supports hypertext online help. Press the help button and after that the
      button you want to have explained. You can simply press F1, too. Press
      help two times to get the help contents.

   o  calculates with double precision floating point values, so you have 15
      correct digits.

   o  has got a Pentium bug correction; the overflow simulation works correctly
      even with a defective Pentium II.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Installation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Copy the files of the pmCalc Archive to your harddisk into a new directory of
your choice. Then start INSTALL.CMD from the new, final directory. You will get
a program object "pmCalc" on your desktop.

You can make a program object on your desktop using the program template in
your template folder.

Please note that pmCalc has got a system menu (single clicking the left close
button).

If you want to have pmCalc with colors, type into the program object settings
notebook parameter field:
color:COLORSMP

pmCalc can be started with a lot of program parameters, so you can create
several program icons with different arguments.

A nice idea to start pmCalc without the launchpad *


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Important items ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

  See all clear, clipboard, input, last20 list, output format.

You see, pmCalc can have colors.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Notation of the formulas ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 subchapters:
keyboard and mousebuttons
Ignored characters
Order of operators
Notation of floating point numbers
upper and lower case letters

next chapter:
Output format


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. keyboard and mousebuttons ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 You can use the mouse buttons or the keyboard by typing directly into the main
entryfield or in the V, W, X and Y variable entryfields. To learn the notation
of pmCalc formulas, use the mouse buttons.

(See important items)

pmCalc offers a useful feature for generating brackets when using the mouse for
input. If your input is 1+2 and you want to multiply the result by 3, simply
enter
 *  *  3 .
pmCalc automatically changes the input into (1+2)*3 .
This feature works with * , / , pwr and the programmers operators.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Ignored characters ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 You can always use spaces in your formulas; they will be ignored, even within
a number.

You can write comments in brackets [ ], also several times. You can use the
keyboard or the com (comment) button.

In hexadecimal numbers, you are allowed to use ":", which will be ignored. So a
hex-number can be #h12dc:0bf7 .


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. Order of operators ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The order of calculating the operators without brackets is the following:

   o  ' ( min ) min'sec (see minutes)
   o  ^ ( pwr ) to the Power of
   o  programmers operators
   o  / divide, * multiply
   o  - minus, + plus


 You can change the order by using parenthesis (  ). There is no limit of
 levels.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.4. Notation of floating point numbers ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Floating point numbers can be written with dot or comma, like 12.34 or  12,34
. You can use thousand-commas (American) or thousand-dots (German) like
10,000.00 or 10.000,00 . pmCalc interprets commas and dots as equivalent. The
last dot/comma will be interpreted, other dots/commas aren't interpreted. For
example: 1,23.4.5.6.78 is the same as 123456.78 .


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.5. upper and lower case letters ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Note that pmCalc is case-sensitive. The name of the constant 3.1415... is Pi,
not pi, the name of the constant 2.7182... is Eul not eul (Euler constant).
Also you aren't allowed to write functions like sin() with capital letters. If
you aren't sure, use the mouse buttons to learn the notation. Hex numbers
aren't case sensitive.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Output format ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 subchapters:
General  precision  fraction  min sec

next chapter:
special features


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1. General ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 You can choose how the result will be shown (output format). Enter a big
number and try the options in the drop down field.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.2. precision ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 With precision, you can enter the number of digits behind the dot. Note that
"precision 0" changes the result 2.4 to 2. If you press X< to copy the result
into the X field, "2" with the value 2.000 is copied and not 2.4.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.3. fraction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 With the output format "fraction", pmCalc converts a floating point number
into a fraction. For example type 2.35888888 and you will get 2123/900.
Sometimes, this can take half a second because pmCalc has to employ a "trial
and error" strategy.

Now enter a random digit like 2.36428754732 and change the precision. A higher
precision will force a small delay and very high precision will generate an
error "correct fraction not found".


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.4. min sec ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

  /60 hour min sec divides the result by 60. For example 121 will be shown as
2 h 1 min . Choosing result min'sec together with the "min" button, you can
simply calculate time: 18'21 - 14'43 = 3'38 .


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. special features ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 special features

subchapters:
Minutes  Percent button  Pentium bug  Float on top  Changing colors  special
buttons

next chapter:
V, W, X and Y entryfields


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.1. Minutes ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 You can enter hours, minutes and seconds: 2'30"45. ' and " are interpreted
similarly, so 2'30'45 is also allowed.
It's calculated as:

h + min/60 + sec/3600


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.2. Percent button ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The percent button always relates to the last operator:

 1000+25% = 1250
 1000-25% =  750
 1000*25% =  250
 1000/25% = 4000

You can use parenthesis (  ) with the percent button, also variables like X are
allowed.

 1000+(12+13)%
 1000+X%


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.3. Pentium bug ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 pmCalc has an automatic Pentium bug correction. When you have a defective
Pentium (the old first ones built in 1994-1995) and enter a division where
defective Pentiums don't find the correct result, you will get the correct
result and hear a beep. For example 5505001/294911 , the correct result is
18,66665197 ; the wrong result would be 18,66600093 .

Also the Pentium II processor has got a bug: Sometimes the processor doesn't
give a correct overflow warning if a big number doesn't fit a smaller variable
(see programmers functions). Because pmCalc has got a different strategy
(pmCalc compares the content of the smaller variable with the old double
value), overflow simulation works correctly even with a defective Pentium II.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.4. Float on top ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 If you choose "Float on top" in the pmCalc System Menu (single clicking the
left close button), the pmCalc window is always on top of all windows. This can
be useful if another program fits the whole screen.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.5. Changing colors ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 If you have nothing to do (e. g. making boring phone calls), you can drag and
drop OS/2 system colors to the pmCalc buttons and entryfields, see color
sample. To change the color of the font instead of the button, press Ctrl while
dropping. To store the colors in a file, you have to enter a program parameter
in the pmCalc program object settings notebook parameter field:

color:filename

As default, the file has to be placed in the directory where PMCALC.EXE is
located. The file format is binary, so you can't edit the file. The file
COLORSMP is a sample color file.

If you have spent a lot of time changing colors, make a copy of your color
file. Sometimes pmCalc corrupts the color file. *

If you think your colors are very nice, you can send the file to me by email.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6.6. special buttons ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

  AC all clear. Clears the main, X and Y entryfields, saves the old input in
the last20 list

 EXP exponent. 1.0e3 means 1.0 * 10^3 = 1000

 pwr means x power of y  (x^y)
sample: 2^4 = 2*2*2*2 = 16

 1/ 1/(x): reciprocal of x

 undo restores the last input which was not changed for 2.5 seconds.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. V, W, X and Y entryfields ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 In the V, W, X and Y field, you can enter numbers or formulas which can be
changed without changing the main entry field. For example, the formula in the
main entry field is "(X+Y)/2", and the X field is "5", the Y field is "3+4",
pmCalc replaces the X and Y characters in the main entry field with the
occurences of the X and Y field in brackets:

((5)+(3+4))/2

The result is 6.

Note that there's a regression mode where you can recalculate variables like X
when the result is known.

With clipvar you can set the values of the V to Y variables from the clipboard.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Regression ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 If you have got a formula with variables X, Y, V, W and the result is given,
you can recalculate the value of a variable, e. g.

3*X^2 + 8*X + 3 = 206

What's the value of X ? To get an answer, do the following:

   o  Enter the formula without the equal character in the main entry field and
      without the number on the right side of the equals sign
   o  you can optionally enter a value of your choice into the X field
   o  press the reg button
   o  enter 206 in the regression entry field
   o  press the X? button.


 pmCalc has to employ a "trial and error" strategy, but it works very fast,
 hardly without any delay.

 With the = button near the regression entry field, the contents of the pmCalc
 result field is copied into the regression entry field.

 With the precision spinbutton, you can influence the regression: a precision
 of 4 will calculate the X value to 4 decimal places. Because of rounding
 effects, it's possible that the regression doesn't hit the result exactly,
 e.g. in the pmCalc result field there's 19.9997 even if the regression entry
 field is 20.

 It can happen that if the X field is empty, pmCalc does not find any X value
 or, if there are more than one possible X values, it does not hit the result
 you are interested in. In these cases, you can enter a start value in the X
 field which is near the result. For example enter X*X into the main entry
 field, 400 into the regression entry field and -1 into the X field. Then
 pmCalc finds the X value -20. (There are two correct values: 20 and -20.)

 A good start value can reduce regression calculating time.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Clipboard ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 subchapters:
General
Using Z and autoclip simultaneously
Export and Import of a formula
hidden pmCalc
clipvar: setting V-Y values

next chapter:
Saving formulas - the last20 list


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.1. General ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 pmCalc can be used with the Clipboard (Clipboard = Z ).
You can enter a formula like sin(Z/3) "sine of (Clipboard divided by 3)". The
clipboard may contain a number or a formula.

When autoclip is on, pmCalc automatically writes the result into the clipboard.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.2. Using Z and autoclip simultaneously ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Using Z and autoclip simultaneously: Every time you copy a number or a formula
to the clipboard (from another application), pmCalc will grab it and substitute
it for every Z in its formula. Then the result will be placed into the
clipboard automatically. So you can use pmCalc in the background.

To test the clipboard function, I recommend using the OS/2 "show clipboard"
program. *


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.3. Export and Import of a formula ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 If you want to export a formula into another application, you can copy it into
the clipboard by pressing the Z< button next to the main entry field. For To
re-use the formula, you copy it back to the clipboard and then press the Z>
button in pmCalc.

pmCalc can save a formula itself.

Note that you are allowed to write comments in brackets [ ].

You can put several lines from an editor into the clipboard. Pushing the Z>
button or using the Z variable, pmCalc will change every "Return" into a "+".
Remember that spaces will be ignored.

With the button = > Z , you can write the input and the result in the clipboard
simultaneously, for example

1+1 = 2.0000


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.4. hidden pmCalc ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 If your input is a simple "Z" in the main entry field and autoclip is on, you
can use pmCalc completely in the background. Copying a formula from your editor
into the clipboard will automatically return the result into the clipboard.

It can be useful to put the pmCalc-window at the bottom of your desktop, so
only the result field and the Z-field is shown and everything below the result
field is outside the desktop.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9.5. clipvar: setting V-Y values ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 When clipvar is on, you are enabled not only to set the Z value, also the  V
to Y values. To do so, enter a formula containing the Z variable. I you don't
use all other variables, first use Y , then X and so on. If you copy a new
value into the clipboard, not only Z gets the new value. Also the  Y variable
gets the old Z value, the X variable the old Y value and so on. So you can set
all the variable values by copying values to the clipboard, beginning with the
V value.

To test this functionality, write into the entry field:

X+Y+Z

and into an editor

1
2
3

Then mark each of the three numbers and place the three numbers to the
clipboard, one after another.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Saving formulas - the last20 list ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 subchapters:
The Last20 List  Saving formulas  Loading formulas  Default formula

next chapter:
Programmers functionality


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10.1. The Last20 List ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 pmCalc remembers the last 20 inputs. Every input immediately before pressing
AC will be placed in the last20 list. In other words, the  AC button saves the
old input and deletes the entry field.

With the up and down buttons near the main entry field, you can reuse older
inputs.

The current input is lost if you don't press AC , e.g. when recalling a last20
list entry.

If you exit pmCalc, the last 20 inputs will be saved in the text file
LAST20.TXT. You can edit this file with an text editor.

You can use your own formula files: A program parameter containing ".TXT" or
".PMC" is a filename which is used instead of "LAST20.TXT". So you can drop
your special formulas to the pmCalc program object. Making an association
"*.PMC" enables you to start the formula file directly with double-click.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10.2. Saving formulas ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 If the input begins with a comment, e.g.

[simple] X + Y*2

and you press AC , the formula will be placed in the last20 list  permanently.
That means, in the file LAST20.TXT you can have a lot of formulas beginning
with "[" and 20 normal inputs not beginning with "[".

When changing a formula which is already part of the last20 list (that means,
it begins with the same comment) the old entry in the last20 list is replaced
when pressing AC .


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10.3. Loading formulas ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 If you type only the leading comment of a formula which is already part of the
last20 list, the formula will be expanded automatically (!).

To try this, simply enter

[sq]

for the square equation formula which is already part of the last20 list. If
there are any characters (e.g. a space) after the comment brackets, the
expansion won't work.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10.4. Default formula ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 If you enter a formula beginning with

[default]

(in lower case letters), the formula always appears when starting pmCalc.

Note that you can start pmCalc with different last20 lists by using the program
parameter filename.txt or filename.pmc. With the file association *.pmc, you
can easy start different pmCalc's with different default formulas.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. Programmers functionality ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Press the prg button for an extended keyblock.

subchapters:
numeric forms
Programmers operators
Simulation of integer operations

next chapter:
Scientific functions


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.1. numeric forms ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 For hexadecimal input, you can press the hex button or you can write $ or #h.
After that, a 32-bit numeric value (from 0 to to 4294967295) is expected. ":"
is ignored.

Other numeric forms and ASCII characters are entered with the buttons oct ,
bin , ASCII or with a hash followed by the characters o for octal, b for binary
and a for ASCII. So the decimal number 100 can be written as:

100
$64
#h64
#h0000:0064
#o144
#b0110 0100
#ad

Remember that you are always allowed to use spaces. You can also choose these
numeric forms in the output format.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.2. Programmers operators ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 The Programmers window offers you new operators. In addition to + , - , / ,  *
, you have got the bitwise operators

 and  indicates by the character &
 or |
 xor \
 shl < (shift left)
 shr > (shift right)
 mod ~ (modulo)

 not is a function and takes the form not (X)

The choice of integer variables (long/short/char) has no influence on other
operators and functions besides the operators shown above.

Modulo calculates the rest of a division, for example 11 modulo 7 = 4. If the
Programmers Window is closed and all calculations are made by Double floating
point variables, you can use the modulo operator nevertheless. Modulo is
calculated then with floating point variables: So Modulo is not an Integer
specific operator.

If you want to understand the effect of these operators, use the binary input
and output of pmCalc.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.3. Simulation of integer operations ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 pmCalc lets you calculate with specific integer variables. You can choose
between 3 * 2 settings: variables of 4, 2 and 1 byte, and signed or unsigned.
E.g. with the calculation of not(1) and the unsigned setting you will get three
different results, dependent on the variables you choose.

You can simulate overflow, underflow and trunctation of integer variables. If
one of theses events occurs, on the programmers window "calc overflow!" is
displayed and in the pmCalc result field you will see the "wrong" result.

Example: Use "unsigned char" and calculate 255+3. Because a char has only 256
different values, you will get an overflow and the result is 2.

pmCalc 3.1 offers you four different messages:

   o  var overflow
   o  var truncate
   o  calc overflow
   o  calc underflow


 If the value which was not calulcated by an operator does not fit the selected
 variable size, "var overflow/truncate" is shown. If the event occurs while
 calculating two values with an operator, "calc overflow/underflow" is shown.
 The messages can appear simultaneously.

 For Pascal programmers: The expressions long, short, char are the C synonyms
 for LONGINT, INTEGER, BYTE. "Unsigned short" is a WORD. In Pascal, LONGINT and
 INTEGER are signed, BYTE is unsigned.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. Scientific functions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 pmCalc supports scientific functions (press the fct button for an extended
keyblock).

subchapters:
Trigonometric Functions  Logarithmic functions  other functions

next chapter:
program parameters


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12.1. Trigonometric Functions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

sin(x)   sine of x
cos(x)   cosine of x
tan(x)   tangent of x
asin(x)  arcsine: inverse function of sin(x)
                      asin(sin(x)) = x
  acos(x)  arccosine: inverse function of cos(x)
  atan(x)  arctangent: inverse function of tan(x)

  Pi     the constant Pi (3,1415...)

 With the checkbutton degree you can choose between degree and radian input.
 If degree is activated, trigonometric functions are running with degrees. For
 example, sin(90) is 1.0000. If you turn degree off, you can enter radian
 input. The equivalent input would now be sin(Pi/2).



                             degree and radial values




                        Figure of Sine, Cosine and Tangent




  Sine and Cosine curve


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12.2. Logarithmic functions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

ln(x)   natural logarithm of x
log(x)   logarithm of x, base 10

Eul    the euler constant (2.71828...)

Eul^x is the inverse function of ln(x).
10^x is the inverse function of log(x).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12.3. other functions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

frac(x)  fraction:  frac(67.89) = 0.89
int(x)   integer part:  int (67.89) = 67.00
abs(x)   absolute value:  abs(12) = 12  abs(-12) = 12

fac(x)   x!  factorial of x
                      fac(4) = 1*2*3*4 = 24
                      floating point numbers are converted by int(abs(x))

  sqr(x)   square of x, equal to x^2
  sqrt(x)  square root of x, equal to x^(1/2)


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13. program parameters ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 pmCalc can be started with several program parameters. Note that most entries
are case-sensitive, the order makes no difference. So you can create several
pmCalc program icons with different parameters.

Program parameters can be entered in the "parameter" field of the pmCalc
program object settings notebook.

A number specifies the output precision.

A double-quoted string specifies the output format. It has to match exactly one
of the strings available in the output format field.

input:sin(X)*2 starts pmCalc with the formula "sin(X)*2" in the main entry
field. Note that you have to use quotes if you have got spaces in your formula,
e.g. "input:sin(X) * 2" . You can also choose a default entry by using the
default formula.

autoclip makes the autoclip checkbox on when starting pmCalc.

radial turns the "degree" checkbox off when starting pmCalc, degree turns it
on.

iconized starts pmCalc iconized, maximized starts pmCalc maximized. Clicking
into the "pmCalc" entry of the tasklist shows pmCalc.

Filename.txt or Filename.pmc uses a specific file for the Last20 list  instead
of the default LAST20.TXT file.

color:filename is for loading and saving position and button colors in the file
"filename".

Examples:

"scientific (exp)" 10

2 "thousand-comma"

input:Z autoclip iconized
starts pmCalc to use in the background.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14. About pmCalc ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 subchapters:
Shareware registration
bugs and improvements
Disclaimer
Contacting the author
Another pmCalc program
Plot functions
the name "pmCalc"
other programs
About this hypertext


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14.1. Shareware registration ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 This program is Shareware. If you register pmCalc, you will get a registration
code you have to enter in the pmCalc main entry field and select "process
registration" in the system menu. A new pmCalc.exe file is not necessary.

The registration fee is 25 Dollars or 22 Euro .

When ordering more than one licenses, you will get a 30% discount for every
additional license.

If you live in America then please contact BMT micro . See BMTORDER.TXT for
details.

BMT Micro, Inc.
910-791-7052 Voice / 910-350-2937 Fax
finger [e-mail] for PGP public key
http://www.bmtmicro.com
ftp.bmtmicro.com/bmtmicro
alternate E-Mail:  [e-mail]

If you can send Deutsche Mark (for example you live in Germany), my bank
account Number is: Dresdner Bank Ottobrunn (Germany), Bank Code 700 800 00, Nr.
075 64 62 400. The fee in Deutsche Mark is 45 DM .

My E-Mail address is:
[e-mail]

My postal address is:

Dr. Martin Vieregg
Emdenstr. 11
D-81735 MБnchen
Germany


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14.2. bugs and improvements ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 pmCalc 2.90, 2.0 and 1.0 were available for OS/2 only.

What's new in pmCalc 3.2

   o  Window width can be modified (but it is not saved)


 What's new in pmCalc 3.1

   o  float on top
   o  clipvar: setting variable values V to Y by using the clipboard
   o  installation program.


 What's new in pmCalc 3.0

 A lot of minor improvements; system menu. First version available for
 Win95/NT. Some minor bugfixes in the new regression and programmers
 functionality.

 What's new in pmCalc 2.9

 Regression and new Programmers functionality.

 What's new in pmCalc 2.0

   o  several bugfixes
   o  binary, octal, ASCII input and output
   o  percent button
   o  fraction output
   o  last20 list, easy save and restore formulas
   o  saving colors and window position
   o  increased number of variable entryfields
   o  more detailed docu, see graphics in trigonometric functions and important
      items
   o  new buttons for "home" and "end" of the cursor in the main entry field,
      button for copying result into main entry field
   o  several new program parameters
   o  several minor improvements.


 Known bugs:
 The iconized window won't show the pmCalc-Icon.
 The output format - drop-down box and the precision entryfield does not
 remember colors. (Perhaps a bug in OS/2 Warp? I have no fixpacks.)
 Sometimes pmCalc corrupts the color file. (I haven't got any idea what's the
 reason.)

 Fixed bugs in 3.2 since 3.1:

   o  (only OS/2) When pasting data from the cliboard by using the Z variable
      or the Z> button, sometimes an arbitrary random character was added. This
      caused a calculating malfunction if the character is a digit.


 Fixed bugs in 3.1 since 3.0:

   o  Since 1995 there is a bug in the formula interpreter, and there is only
      one known formula which was calculated wrong: sin(7)^2+sin(5)^2
   o  In the Programmers Window "Overflow" is shown, even it is an underflow or
      a simple trunctation.
   o  Regression with imaginary polynom functions forces cancelling the
      program, e.g.: x*x + 5*x + 2


 Improvements and fixed bugs 2.0 to 2.9:

   o  fixed bug: -min'sec forces an incorrect result
   o  Saving X, Y, V, W values when pmCalc saves a formula.


 Improvements and fixed bugs 0.90 to 1.00:

   o  tan() und atan() are OK now
   o  numeric overflow has got better error handling
   o  output result "normal (dot)" and "normal (comma)"
   o  comments in brackets [ ] allowed
   o  hypertext help.


 Of course, I can't test all possible formulas with pmCalc. It is possible that
 pmCalc calculates wrong results under certain circumstances. I would be very
 interested in knowing such bugs. Please write me an E-Mail if you find such a
 bug.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14.3. Disclaimer ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 pmCalc is provided as is and comes with no warranty of any kind, either
expressed or implied. In no event will the author be liable for any damages
resulting from the use of this software.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14.4. Contacting the author ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

  Martin Vieregg, 34. I've studied economics. My main job is working in my own
consulting company. Our special subject is public transport, especially
railways. Visit http:www.vr-transport.de . The title of my doctoral (PhD)
thesis was "increasing efficiency of railway long-distance passenger traffic".

My E-Mail address is:

[e-mail]

My Homepage is:

http://www.vr-transport.de/Martin

Here you will get newest information about my programs, bug reports and beta
versions.

My postal address is:

Dr. Martin Vieregg
Emdenstr. 11
D-81735 Munich
Germany


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14.5. Another pmCalc program ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Please notice that a second "PMCALC" exists. PMCALC.ZIP for OS/2 is an IBM
employee written software, Tim Baldwin, U.K. We had both shipped our pmCalc
programs in March 95. Tim Baldwin's PMCALC imitates a real pocket calculator.
To distinguish in archives, this calculator is always shipped with the version
number in the zip file name, Baldwin's is not. Baldwin's archive is often
listed as PMCALC0.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14.6. Plot functions ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 pmCalc calculates with formulas containing variables, but it can not plot
functions. I will not include this functionality in the future because of the
the Freeware program Gnuplot. The syntax of the formula is nearly the same as
pmCalc, the main difference is the "power of" sign (pmCalc ^ GnuPlot **). You
will find a short description and download links of Gnuplot on my Homepage,
page "My favorite software".

http://www.vr-transport.de/Martin


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14.7. the name "pmCalc" ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 For our Windows users: PM (Presentation Manager) is the name of the graphical
environment of the IBM Operating System OS/2. All programs using this graphical
environment are "PM-programs".

pmCalc was written in 1995 for OS/2 and is available for Win95/NT since 1997
(version 3.0).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14.8. other programs ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 I've also written other Freeware- and Shareware programs. Visit my Homepage
http://www.vr-transport.de/Martin

both Win95/NT and OS/2; Linux versions for some programs are planned.

WSedit:
Editor compatible to Wordstar: reading and writing Wordstar (DOS) files, ASCII
IBM and ISO codepage. Supports Wordstar Ctrl key commands and CUA commands.
Syntax-highlightning, Translation, spell checking, function key macro recorder
and a lot of other features. WSedit handles very large ASCII files. Freeware.

HyperMake:
Creates HTML files, Winhelp MS HTML-Help and OS/2 Help from a more simple and
intelligent ASCII format. Automatic linking, window arrangement, helptables,
footnotes, tables and other features. Shareware if source file > 20 kB. See
hypertext

TinyAlarm:
A simple countdown with a slider from 1 to 60, an alarm by entering alarm time
and a chime. System shutdown. Freeware.

cd-shortcut:
instead of whole directory names you enter only substrings. Searching through
several drives and opening OS/2 WPS folders. Freeware.

Simple Zipshell:
Packing and unpacking ZIP files by using the graphical desktop. Freeware.

Clear:
(only OS/2) Uses also Info-Zip and let you backup your data e.g. on floppies.
You can enter filenames like *.BAK which are not copied, directories which are
skipped. Then you can enter filenames with a specific age which are deleted.
Freeware.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14.9. About this hypertext ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 I have created this hypertext by using my HyperMake hypertext software. It
creates Winhelp, OS/2 help and HTML files from one simple and intelligent ASCII
format. If a phrase is marked with an "index char", it is placed in the index
and all other occurrences in the hypertext will get a link automatically.
HyperMake also creates Helptables, and for line drawing, footnotes, window
arrangement (and so on) there are short commands. The links at the end of some
windows "subchapters... next chapter..." are created automatically. HyperMake
is Shareware for source files > 20 kB.

Visit my homepage for more information about HyperMake.

http://www.vr-transport.de/Martin

End of hypertext


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden>  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Open the settings notebook of the desktop, open the "menu"-page and drag your
pmcalc program object into the second yellow text-window. Now you have a new
menu item in your standard-context-menu like "shutdown": "pmCalc".


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden>  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

It happened once to me. Sorry, but I haven't got any idea what's the reason.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden>  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

You'll find it in the system / productivity folder