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OS/2 Help File
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1993-10-31
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21KB
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514 lines
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
This program is a calculator to compute the binomial function as applied to
probability computations. Binomial calculations are useful in situations where
there are a number of trials or events with some lesser number of successes.
Help is available for the following topics...
o Normal calculations. The overall probability of m events being true given n
tials, each having a single event probability of p.
o Inverse calculations. The single event probability given an overall
probability of p with m events being true in n trials.
General help for operating and installing the Binomial Probabilty calculator is
available for the following topics.
o General operation
o Command line options
o Main program window
o Menus
o Key pad
o Pushbutton controls
o Installation
o Misc. and history
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1. Normal calculations. ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
When started, the calculator is able to compute several probability values
based on a number of successes, m , occuring within n attempts or trials, with
each single event having a probability p of being successful.
Data input for the binomial calculations is by use of 3 data entry boxes near
the top of the main window. These data input controls are:
Single probability - Input of the individual probability of success, p,
expected for each event.
Sample size-events - Input of the total number of events, n, to be used in the
calculation.
Numb. of successes - Input of the number of successes, m, to be used in the
calculation. Note that this number must be less than the sample size.
The computed probabilities are shown in three output data boxes located under
the heading Probability (Answers). The computed outputs are:
== successes - The probability that exactly m successes were obtained in n
attempts.
<= successes - The probability that m or fewer successes were obtained in n
attempts.
>= successes - The probability that m or more successes were obtained in n
attempts.
When the calculator is operating in its normal mode, the window's title says:
Binomial probability calculator. See calculator operation for further
information regarding the operation of the calculator.
Computation Mathematics
The basic equation being solved in the program computes the probability of
exactly m successes in n trials. This equation is:
Where
n = The number of trials or attempts.
m = The number of sucesses.
p = The single event probability.
pm = The probability that exactly m successes will be achieved in n trials.
This equation is calculated repeatedly to solve the other probabilities
presented in the windows, i.e. <= successes and >= successes.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.2. Inverse calculations ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Inverse operation of the calculator is started by either selecting the Mode
toggle item from the menu or using the Mode toggle push button. When the
calculator is in inverse operation, the window's title is changed to Inverse
Binomial Probability, in additon to some other changes in appearance. In
inverse mode, the calculator takes an overall final probability, p, the sample
size, n, and the number of successes, m, to find a single event probability.
The inverse computation is done on one of the following basis:
1. The number of successes is equal to or less than, <=, the number shown.
2. The number of successes is equal to or greater than, >=, the number shown.
Selection of the computation basis is performed by the radio control buttons
located to the left of the calculator's key pad. Note that these buttons are
shown only when the calculator is operating in the inverse mode. The buttons
are labeled <= and >= respectively.
Data input for the inverse binomial calculations is by use of 3 data entry
boxes near the top of the main window. These data input controls are:
Overall probability - Input of the overall probability of success, p,
expected.
Sample size-events - Input of the total number of events, n, to be used in the
calculation.
Numb. of successes - Input of the number of successes, m, to be used in the
calculation. Note that this number must be less than the sample size.
The result, the single event probability required to fulfill the input
conditions, is displayed in single data box in the middle of the calcuator.
The label on this control is Single probability.
See calculator operation for further information regarding the operation of
the calculator.
Computation Mathematics
The basic equation being solved in the program computes the probability of
exactly m successes in n trials. This equation is:
Where
n = The number of trials or attempts.
m = The number of sucesses.
p = The single event probability.
pm = The probability that exactly m successes will be achieved in n trials.
This equation is solved repeatedly to find the single event probability.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. General operation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Operation of the calculator requires 2 steps:
o Data entry. Data entry is performed using the 3 data entry controls on the
top half of the calculator. Data can be entered from the computer
keyboard, the calculator's key pad, or pasting from the clipboard.
o Result calculation. Results are calculated when the Enter pushbutton on the
calculator's key pad is selected.
Other information available on the calculator's operation are:
o Change character size
o Copy data to the clipboard
o Paste data from the clipboard
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.1. Command line options ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The starting character size of the calculator can be forced to be smaller by
using a /s or /S on the command line used to start the calculator.
When operating the calculator's character size can be changed by using the
Options/Font size menu item.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.2. Data entry ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Data entry is performed using the 3 data entry controls on the top half of the
calculator. The topmost control is used for entry of probability data. The
second control from the top is used to enter the sample size data. The third
control, the last one in the data entry area, is used to enter the number of
successes.
Selection of the active data entry control can be performed by using one of the
following methods:
1. Clicking on the desired data entry control with the left mouse button.
2. Using pushbuttons on the calculator's key pad. These buttons are labeled
Probability, Events, and Successes.
3. Use the Tab or Enter keys on the keyboard to move to the next data entry
control.
The current active data entry control is highlighted by a different (white)
background color on the control's label.
Once the desired active control has been selected, actual data entry can be
performed by:
1. Typing the data from the keyboard. When typing information from the
keyboard, the program allows only numeric data to be entered.
2. Using the numeric keys on the calculator's key pad. When using the key
pad's keys, any text information that has been selected, shown by
reverse video, is deleted before the before the new character is
inserted.
3. Pasting data from the clipboard. Selecting the Paste option from either
the menus or the Paste control button will replace all data in the
active data entry window with data currently stored in the clipboard.
Data limits
The calculator tests all input data for acceptability before performing any
results calculations. If the data is not acceptable, a message box is
displayed indicating the type of error that has been found. The data limits
for the various inputs are:
o Probabilities. All input probabilities must be between the value of 0.0 and
1.0. Values equal to 0 or 1 are not acceptable.
o Sample size (events). The sample size is an integer value that is greater
than 1. The program has a maximum sample size limit of 1,750 to avoid
overflow errors. Be aware however, that sample sizes over a few
hundred can slow down result calculations.
o Successes. As a general rule, the number of successes must be an integer
value greater than 0 and less than the value used for the sample
size. Error trapping for this parameter however, is set at less than
0 and greater than the sample size.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.3. Result calculation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The results are calculated by selecting the Enter push button on the
calculator's key pad. Before performing computations, the calculator tests all
the input data for acceptability.
If any data entry errors are found, an appropriate error message box is
displayed, giving the reason for the error. See Data entry for further
information on the program's data checking capabilities and limits.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.4. Copying data to clipboard ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
To copy data to the OS/2 clipboard, perform the following operations:
1. Select the data entry/display control you wish to copy from by clicking it
with the left mouse button. Note the this applies to the controls
used for data output in addition to the controls that actually
require input data.
2. Select the Copy menu item or the Copy push button to move the data from
the selected control to the OS/2 clipboard.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2.5. Pasting data from clipboard ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
To paste data from the OS/2 clipboard to one of the data entry controls,
perform the following steps:
1. Select the input data entry control you wish to paste data to by clicking
it with the left mouse button, using a key on the calculators key
pad, or using the Enter or Tab key on the computer keyboard.
2. Select the Paste menu item or the Paste push button to move the data from
the OS/2 clipboard to the active data entry control.
Note that when pasting data from the clipboard to a data entry control, ALL of
the data in the control is replaced.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Main program window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The calculator's main window consists of:
o Menu bar
o Data input area
o Data output area
o Key pad
o Control pushbuttons
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. Program menus ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The program's menu bar contains the following groupings and items:
o Edit
- Copy
- Paste
- Exit
o Options
- Mode toggle
- Font size
o Help
- Help
- About
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1.1. Copy menu item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Selecting the Copy menu item copies the data contained in the active data entry
control into the OS/2 system clipboard.
This function is also replicated by the Copy control push button. For further
information on copying data to the clipboard, see:
o Copying data
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1.2. Paste menu item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Selecting the Paste menu item pastes information from the OS/2 clipboard into
the currently active data entry control.
This function is replicated by the Paste control push button. For further
information on pasting data from the clipboard, see:
o Pasting data
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1.3. Mode toggle menu item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Selecting this menu item switches the operating mode of the calculator between
normal and inverse. The Mode toggle menu item also replicates the Mode toggle
push button.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1.4. Font size menu item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Selecting this menu item switches the size of the characters used for display
of information on the calculator's face. The calculator's normal default
condition is large characters. When the calculator is used on system's that
make use of a 1024x768 display resolution with large size system fonts, the
text display must make use of a smaller font to properly display the
information.
The calculator's start-up character size can be forced to the smaller size by
using a /s or /S parameter on the command line used to start the calculator.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1.5. Exit menu item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Selecting the Exit menu item terminates execution of the program.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1.6. Help menu item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Selecting the Help menu item displays user information for using the calculator
program. The program's help conventions are standard with those generally used
with OS/2 application programs.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1.7. About menu item ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Selecting the About menu item displays information about the program, including
the version number and date.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.2. Data input area ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The program's data input area consists of the 3 topmost data entry controls on
the main program window and their labels. The label for the currently active
data input control is highlighted with a different color (white) background.
The data entry windows are:
Probability. This control control is used to enter the base probability
information required by the program. This is the single event
probability when the calculator is operating in normal mode and the
overall probability when the calculator is operating in its inverse
mode. Note that the label for this control also changes with the
operating mode.
Sample size(events). This control is used to enter the total sample size to
considered in the calculations.
Numb. of successes. This control is used to enter the number of successes to
be used in the calculations.
The program does testing on the values to determine the potential correctness
of the data that has been entered. See the data entry section for further
information about the data validity tests as well as entry of data itself.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.3. Data output area ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The program's data output area is located near the center of the calculator's
main program window. When the calculator is operating in its normal mode, 3
output data controls and their labels are shown. The number of output data
controls reduces to 1 when the calculator is operating in its inverse mode.
Labeling of the ourput controls also changes with the calculator's operating
mode.
Although the output controls can receive the program's focus by clicking on
them with the left mouse button, the controls cannot receive any input. The
ability to receive the program's current focus is necessary to allow data to be
copied from the control to the OS/2 clipboard. See copying data for further
information.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.4. Calculator Keypad ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The calculator's key pad is located on the bottom, right side of the main
program window, and consists of multiple push button type controls which may be
selected with the left button of the mouse. The keys and their functions are:
Numeric keys 0-9. Selection of any one of these controls will add that number
to the end of the data shown in the currently active data input
window. Note that if the currently active data input control has
selected text, shown by reverse video, the selected text is deleted
and the new number added to the end of the remaining data.
Enter. Selection of the Enter button forces an immediate calculation of
results. It is necessary to make this selection after data has been
entered or changed to have the output data be correct.
Ce. (Clear entry) Selection of this key clears all of the data currently
contained in the active data input entry control. Note that if the
active control is for probability, the control is initialized with 0.
characters.
<-. (Clear last character) Selection of this button erases the last character
displayed in the active data input entry control.
Prob. Selection of this button forces the current active data input control
to be probability data entry. Numbers to the right of the decimal
point in the probability control are also selected for possible
deletion when this button is depressed.
Events. Selection of this button forces the current active data input control
to be Sample size(events) data entry. Data currently in the control
is selected for possible deletion when this button is depressed.
Successes. Selection of this button forces the current active data input
control to be Numb. of successes data entry. Data currently in the
control is selected for possible deletion when this button is
depressed.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.5. Control pushbuttons ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The calculator has several control push buttons available. These buttons are:
The Copy button. This button copies data from the curent active input or output
control to the OS/2 clipboard. The pushbutton also replicates the Copy menu
item function. For further instructions on copying data to the clipboard, see:
Copying data.
The Paste button. This button pastes data from the OS/2 clipboard to the
current active data entry control. The pushbutton also replicates the Paste
menu item function. For further instructions on pasting data from the
clipboard, see: Pasting data.
The Mode toggle button. This push button toggles the operating mode of the
calculator between normal and inverse. The pushbutton also replicates the Mode
toggle menu item.
When the calculator is running in inverse mode, there are 2 radio buttons to
the left of the keypad. These buttons are labeled <= and >=, and control the
basis upon which the calculator decides the meaning of the overall probability
data. For further information on this aspect of the calculator's operation, see
Inverse calculations.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Installation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
As distributed, the program consists of 2 files plus a README file. The files
are:
PROBABIL.EXE - The executable program.
PROBABIL.HLP - The program's Help file.
The suggested program installation consists of copying both files to the same
directory. Copy a program object from the Templates folder on your desktop to
the desired folder for execution, then insert the proper drive and directory
information into the object's setup notebook. Note that both the Path and file
name and Working directory entries on the notebook have to be set to the same
drive and directory for the program to find the help directory.
This program makes no entries in the OS/2 .INI files.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Misc. Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The following misc. information is available:
o License
o Warranty
o Support
o Program history
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1. License ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
This program has been placed into the public domain by the author, and may be
freely distributed and copied, provided no charge is made. It maybe included in
collections of software etc. in which the distributor makes a nominal charge
for the media it is distributed on.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.2. Warranty ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
There is no warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, associated with
this program. Use of the program is at the sole risk of the user.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.3. Support ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
I am interested in learning about bugs, enhancement suggestions etc. that you
may have. Please remember that all support is strictly subject to the
availability of my time etc. The program was originally written in support of
my normal job, for which ver. 1.00 was fully adequate.
Address all questions etc. via Internet e-mail to:
nelson@radar.nrl.navy.mil
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.4. Program history ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Version 1.10 - 10/31/93. Added the ability to change the character size used by
the calculator. This was done to correct a problem with the standard
text being to large when the program was run on systems using 1024x768
resolution with large system character fonts. The character size can be
forced to small characters by using a /s argument on the command line or
from the new Options/ Font size menu item.
Version 1.01 - 10/16/93. First public release of the program.