RPN Calculator Simulator

[Spock]

Posted: 2004-10-10, 2:13 pm

The RPN Calculator program I've been working on is now in version 1.1.05 and is available to anyone wishing to play with it and give me comments.

The main 4 register stack with Last X works.

There are 100 internal memory registers with Store, Recall, View, and even print!

Most of the buttons have Tool Tip help available and there is a separate help function as well ... such as it is.

I do not recommend this for anyone with a dial-up connection as it requires the Microsoft .NET Framework (23.1 MB ! ) in order to run. The program itself is currently fairly small but growing steadily.

Any constructive criticism and bug reports would be greatly appreciated.

[Spock]

Posted: 2004-11-22, 5:34 am

For those interested in learning programming though, it might be instructive to look at the source. The current main file RPNCalc.vb is only 3152 lines of code, fairly well commented, and it even includes comments about what my future plans are in some places.

The section that starts with

#Region " Windows Form Designer generated code "

and ends with

#End Region

is all generated by the editor to link in the required program packages. When removed, the code is only 1566 lines of code, including comments and lots of white space. It shouldn't be that hard to follow at this early stage if you are interested in the process.

Of the other two files, RPNHelpForm.vb is only 91 lines of code (12 lines without the Region code!!! ) and RPNViewReg.vb is 492 lines (294 without the Region code).

Here is most of the ReadMe.txt file:

Planned Updates:
================
-Decrease overall area of calculator to remove unused area.
-Expand the RPN Tutorial.
-Make the PC Numeric keypad active.
-Add programming ability.
-Add Hexidecimal functionality.
-Add ability to FIX display to a set number of decimal places.
-Add ability to switch to SCI (scientific) or ENG (engineering) notation.
-Add 'selectable' debugging code which will write debug statements to a file.
-Move the additional View options into the main View menu instead of the menu on the View window.


Change History:
===============
v1.1.04 - 19 November 2004
-Added initial 'selectable' debugging code which will write debug statements to a file. Will add more as necessary.
-Added additional information to Tutorial.
-Optimized code for FormatEditField.
-Fixed View option so it is no longer necessary to open it twice to see correct values. Required to SaveData() prior to even mentioning frmRPNViewDialog!
-Reset the X-Register if View attempted in the middle of a Memory Register Operation.
-Added additional data integrity tests to SaveFile().

v1.1.03 - 17 November 2004
-Created sub-folder to store project files in under User's Programs Menu.
-RPN Tutorial Started.
-Added RPNTutorial to Help Menu.
-Added Numeric Input Indicator.
-Added EEX key to implement the EEX (Enter EXponent) function.
-Fixed CHS (±) so it would change the sign of the Exponent if required.
-Changed the Sto/Rcl and StoE/RclE buttons to automatically request input for the register number.
-Added ability to perform basic Memory Register arithmetic (+, -, x, ÷), i.e., Sto + 04

v1.1.02 - 06 Nov 2004:
-Fixed bug in Frac function.
-Added View of Summation Registers with Contents defined.
-Compacted overall size of calculator template and removed section titles.
-Replaced Section Titles with Tool Tip Help describing what each main section acomplishes.
-Changed the order of the basic math function keys to more closely match the layout of a PC numeric keypad.
-Now save the values of the Sto/Rcl and StoE/RclE numericUpDown counter.
-Fixed some layout misalignments in the View option.

v1.1.01 - 19 Oct 2004:
-Corrected Summation plus and minus to Disable stack lift.
-Added Known Bugs

v1.1.00 - 17 Oct 2004:
-Converted to multi-use buttons with a "Shift" key to switch between them.
-Added and activated Extended Memory Registers.
-Changed many of the keys from text to icons.
-Added Summation function using Memory Registers 11 through 20.
-Added Change history.
-Added Requested Changes.
-Added Planned Updates.

v1.0.05 - 07 Oct 2004:
-First version I can track down! Started this project back in June or July 2004.

From previous versions:
-Added View Functionality in the Menu Bar.
-Added Print dialog to View window.
-Added Help Function.
-Added Tool tips.
-Added 100 Memory Registers
-Added HTML help file so links would work.

v0.0.01 - 24 Jun 2004:
-Initial Program.


Known Bugs:
===========
v1.1.03
-When changing the sign of an exponent, you must change the sign before you enter any value for the exponent or it will change back to the default value of "+".

v1.1.02
-Sometimes, when first used, the view option doesn't display correctly until the data file is reloaded.
-Two copies of the Help HTML file sometimes open when F1 pressed.

v1.1.01
-Function Frac does not return an accurate fractional portion of a number. Frac(12.3456) returns 0.345599999999999 instead of 0.3456

For anyone who knows much about math, the Extended Memory Registers mentioned in v1.1.00 are a set of 20 dual registers that will eventually be used for complex math operations. They will mimic a complex number that has a real part and an "imaginary" part. In the View option, they list as dual registers.

[Spock]

Posted: 2004-12-31, 4:00 pm

Version 1.1.05 is now on my site along with the source for 1.1.04. I sure would like to get some feedback on what you think of the program.

The updated ReadMe.txt file contains the following changes:

Planned Updates:
================
-Expand the RPN Tutorial further.
-Make the PC Numeric keypad active.
-Add programming ability.
-Add Hexidecimal functionality.
-Add ability to FIX display to a set number of decimal places.
-Add ability to switch to SCI (scientific) or ENG (engineering) notation.
-Add 'selectable' debugging code which will write debug statements to a file.
-Add a real 'F1' help file.


Change History:
===============
v1.1.05 - 24 December 2004
-Removed NumericUpDown counter which was used for Sto/Rcl and StoE/RclE.
-Added Web Site link to bottom of calculator.
-Added data file name to View window.
-Added GNR folder to store RPNCalc Sub-folder as well as any other GNR products.
-Decreased overall area of calculator to remove unused area. May adjust slightly but this is probably close to final size.
-Expanded the RPN Tutorial to include added functionality of the BackSpace key.
-Added the View options to the main View menu as well as the menu on the View window.

v1.1.04 - 19 November 2004