The Fred Fish Collection 1.5/ffcollection-1-5-1992-11.iso/ff_disks/100-199/ff144.lzh/Contents

Text File | 1988-05-22 | 10KB | 194 lines

This is disk 144 of the freely distributable AMIGA software library.
This disk contains version V22-3D of Glenn Everhart's large and powerful
spreadsheet program called AnalytiCalc, submitted to me directly by
Glenn for inclusion in the library as an update to the version released
on disk 104.  The remainder of this file is Glenn's "Abstract.txt" file
that describes AnalytiCalc.  Source and documentation is included on the
disk in arc'd form because it otherwise would not all fit on the disk.

====================

    AnalytiCalc Abstract:

    AnalytiCalc is a large and powerful spreadsheet program with
sufficient extra features to have some pretentions of acting as an
"integrated system". It is a virtual memory system supporting up to
18000 columns and 18000 rows, multiple equations per cell, an outlining
system, built-in cell annotation, and datafile access from any cell(s)
of the sheet, plus an array of functions not present in most commercial
spreadsheets. This disk represents the third version of an initial Amiga
port of AnalytiCalc, and as such the console interface is somewhat crude and
uses a set of command files in an externally assigned area (assigned to DK:)
to handle the function keys. A custom keymap can also be used, which was
supplied in the initial version. The program comes with complete sources,
documents, and executables, and in addition with the source code for the
"auxiliary utilities" which handle DIF format conversion and character
graphics. (The executables are not adequately tested on amiga as yet, though
they work on VAX, PDP11, and IBM PC.)
        AnalytiCalc for the Amiga uses files compatible with those
for AnalytiCalc on MS-DOS, VMS, or RSX-11M or IAS. An example project
planner spreadsheet is included in the distribution to show off some of
the things you can do. More example sheets will be forthcoming in the
future. AnalytiCalc also supports matrix math, FFTs, infinite windowing,
linear regression, date arithmetic, internal and external macros, LOTS
of cell addressing modes, goal seeking in up to 8 dimensions, and more.

    AnalytiCalc requires perhaps 600K of RAM memory, at least one
360K diskette drive, and AmigaDOS 1.2, plus a larger than default stack.
Display sizes supported can be up to 132 characters wide by up to 76
lines long. Sorry; I don't think AnalytiCalc supports proportional
fonts very well, though it should manage not to be totally brain damaged
with them. The manual requires an 80 column printer.
    To see the documentation you need either a printer 80 columns wide
to print it, or an 80 column screen to view it on.

  ** PLEASE read the README.1ST file for brief instructions on setting up
     a working AnalytiCalc disk. Please read the manual at least once over
     lightly too... ***


        SOME DO-NOT'S

        1.  DO NOT use AnalytiCalc until you have read the documentation.

        2.  DO NOT forget to make regular backup copies of your database.

        3.  DO NOT exit (X) the progam without saving your work if you
        want it saved. (You will be asked to confirm you really want
        to leave, however.)

        GETTING STARTED.

    See the README.1ST file!!!

        If you haven't already printed the documentation, please do so
        before trying to operate AnalytiCalc. Then, READ IT!  You should
        also make sure that you have placed a "write-protect" tab on your
        AnalytiCalc distribution diskettes, so that they can't be
        accidentally erased or overwritten.

        You should now make a copy of your AnalytiCalc disks.  These will
        also serve as your "run-time" system diskettes.

    De-archive AnalyExe.Arc and AnalyDoc.Arc at least onto a blank
    disk and read the document files and release notes. You'll need
    a bit of AmigaDos familiarity to set things up (read how to use
    the ASSIGN command and the SETMAP command and ASSIGN something as
    DK:; also set your stack large with the STACK command.) If you
    are using disk file memory, FACC is a good thing to use also. PLEASE
    READ THE MANUALS though, to save us all a lot of headaches.

        SOME MAXIMUMS AND MINIMUMS.
             Minimum RAM Memory required .....................about  600K
             Minimum Disk Drives required...............................1
             Minimum Disk Storage required...........................880K
         Number of Columns......................................18000
         Number of Rows.........................................18000
         Maximum Length of Formulas (characters)..................109
         Number of cells that can be full at once...............18000
         Number of simultaneous named areas permitted.............300
         Number of scratch cells outside spreadsheet...............60
         Precision of calculations (digits; 8 bytes used)..........16
         Total maximum storage managed (bytes)..............2,113,020
         Maximum depth of document nesting (outline processor)......4
         Maximum number of parameters varying to goal seek..........8
         Maximum record size for data files accessed as database..128
         Maximum number of files namable in one sheet.........>18000
         Maximum cell columns displayable on one screen............20
         Maximum number of rows displayable in one display.........75
         Maximum simultaneous different cell display formats per
        sheet (taken from large set)...........................76
         Length of format specification (characters)................9


        DISCLAIMER.

        In no event will the Author be liable to you for any damages,
        including any lost profits, lost savings or other incidental or
        consequential dmages arising out of the use of or inability to use
        these programs, even if the Author has been advised of the
        possibility of such damages, or for any claim by any other party.


        THE USER-SUPPORTED CONCEPT.

                               User-Supported Software
           You are encouraged to copy and share this program with others.
             If after evaluating this program you find it to be useful,
                         I trust you to send a $10.00 payment.

                   Glenn C. Everhart
                               25 Sleigh Ride Rd.
                   Glen Mills, Pa. 19342

To Be Done:
Future plans for AnalytiCalc:
    1. Allow data files to be on a logical device. (Actually, FACC
    may make this need obsolete).
    2. Fix bugs as they are discovered.
    3. Allow use on non-interlaced screens by redoing the two command
    and display windows as pseudo-requestors.

Auxiliary files:
    1. Check that DIFrw (DIF to or from AnalytiCalc saved format
        converter) and ACGRAF (character graphics utility) work
        as specified.
        Note: Sources to these programs, which compile and link
        cleanly on Amiga, are present here. However they are
        not yet tested, so executables are omitted.
    2. Port some of the BASIC graphics packages to Amiga. Possibly
    compile some of them.
    3. Supply the Business Expense Report, manpower planner, and
    income tax templates as extra examples. Possibly do a game of
    LIFE template too, just for fun.

Other programs:
    Port the RIM relational DBMS to Amiga as a companion piece. (This
    has already been done porting from CDC to VAX to MSDOS (the last
    by me), and should be straightforward).

I have found that Absoft Fortran 2.3 is a stable and usable compiler and
would like to acknowledge gratefully its contribution. He who wants to
add to or modify AnalytiCalc needs Absoft Fortran 2.3 (or later, I suppose)
to build it with. Anyone who has Absoft Fortran-020 for the 68020 is
invited to recompile this program to use the faster chips. I didn't have
either money or machine to try a 68020/68881 version, but see no reason
why it would fail.
    I have also seen that there are some bugs in Absoft Fortran's
handling of con: and raw: windows which I have reported to Absoft. Hopefully
this will permit upgrading of user interface soon, as these problems are
fixed.
    (It seems that you CAN do both read and write to CON: windows in
Absoft Fortran 2.3, but you must issue a REWIND on the unit between them.
This is not always needed in V2.2, but occasionally happens. (This accounts
for the occasionally flaky behavior of DTC, which was compiled with V2.2
before I found the foregoing out.)

    Glenn Everhart
    6 November 1987


    Also present on the disk is DeskTop Calendar (DTC), a useful little
appointment and meeting scheduler and calendar keeper. It will work on either
interlaced screens or non-interlaced.

    AnalytiCalc needs more stack than the 4000 default (I use 65000
but less is probably OK). It also probably needs more than 512K of RAM
for operation as currently linked. The routines in AnalyO.Ftn can be
overlayed against each other, but this has not been done as yet. Those
desperate for a smaller executable, having Absoft's compiler, can rebuild
in this way for a smaller executable.
    Also: AnalytiCalc MUST currently run on an interlaced screen owing
to where some CON: and RAW:  windows are opened. Move the windows to fit on a
non-interlaced screen (via patching the image or editing/recompiling)
if you must run it on a noninterlaced screen.
    You must turn interlace on in Preferences and boot with that set up.
The SETLACE program will NOT create things quite right for AnalytiCalc and
you'll generate the weirdest system crashes (all the way back to Kickstart
sometimes) you ever saw if you try... just use Preferences and all will be
well... )
    Glenn Everhart
    November 6, 1987
Enjoy...