XCALC(1) — USER COMMANDS
NAME
xcalc − scientific calculator for X
SYNOPSIS
xcalc [-display display] [-bw pixels] [-stip] [-rv] [-rpn] [-analog] [-geometry geometry]
DESCRIPTION
Xcalc is a scientific calculator desktop accessory that can emulate a TI-30, an HP-10C, and a slide rule.
OPTIONS
−display displayname
This option specifies the X server to contact.
−geometry geometry
This option specifies the size and placement of the top level window. By default, the minimum size will be used. Note that your window manager may require you to place it explicitly anyway.
−fg color
This option specifies the foreground color to use.
−bg color
This option specifies the background color to use.
−bw pixels
This option specifies the border width in pixels.
−stip This option indicates that the background of the calculator should be drawn using a stipple of the foreground and background colors. On monochrome displays this makes for a nicer display.
−rv This option indicates that reverse video should be used.
−rpn This option indicates that Reverse Polish Notation should be used. In this mode the calculator will look and behave like an HP-10C. Without this flag, it will emulate a TI-30.
−analog
This option indicates that a slide rule should be used.
OPERATION
Pointer Usage: Most operations are done with the Button1 (usually leftmost button on the pointer). The only exception is that pressing the AC key on the TI calculator with Button3 (usually on the right) will exit the calculator.
Key Usage (Normal mode): The number keys, the +/- key, and the +, -, ∗, /, and = keys all do exactly what you would expect them to. It should be noted that the operators obey the standard rules of precedence. Thus, entering "3+4∗5=" results in "23", not "35". The parentheses can be used to override this. For example, "(1+2+3)∗(4+5+6)=" results in "6∗15=90". The non-obvious keys are detailed below.
1/x replaces the number in the display with its reciprocal.
x^2 squares the number in the display.
SQRT takes the square root of the number in the display.
CE/C when pressed once, clears the number in the display without clearing the state of the machine. Allows you to re-enter a number if you screw it up. Pressing it twice clears the state, also.
AC clears everything, the display, the state, the memory, everything. Pressing it with the right button ’turns off’ the calculator, in that it exits the program. Somewhat more equivalent to throwing the calculator in the trash, if we were to pursue the analogy.
INV inverts the meaning of the function keys. See the individual function keys for details.
sin computes the sine of the number in the display, as interpreted by the current DRG mode (see DRG, below). If inverted, it computes the arcsine.
cos computes the cosine, or arccosine when inverted.
tan computes the tangent, or arctangent when inverted.
DRG changes the DRG mode, as indicated by ’DEG’, ’RAD’, or ’GRAD’ at the bottom of number window of the calculator. When in ’DEG’ mode, numbers in the display are taken as being degrees. In ’RAD’ mode, numbers are in radians, and in ’GRAD’ mode, numbers are in gradians. When inverted, the DRG key has the nifty feature of converting degrees to radians to gradians and vice-versa. Example: put the calculator into ’DEG’ mode, and type "45 INV DRG". The display should now show something along the lines of ".785398", which is 45 degrees converted to radians.
e the constant ’e’. (2.7182818...)
EE used for entering exponential numbers. For example, to enter "-2.3E-4" you’d type "2 . 3 +/- EE 4 +/-"
log calculates the log (base 10) of the number in the display. When inverted, it raises "10.0" to the number in the display. For example, typing "3 INV log" should result in "1000".
ln calcuates the log (base e) of the number in the display. When inverted, it raises "e" to the number in the display. For example, typing "e ln" should result in "1"
y^x raises the number on the left to the power of the number on the right. For example "2 y^x 3 =" results in "8", which is 2^3. For a further example, "(1+2+3) y^x (1+2) =" equals "6 y^x 3" which equals "216".
PI the constant ’pi’. (3.1415927....)
x! computes the factorial of the number in the display. The number in the display must be an integer in the range 0-500, though, depending on your math library, it might overflow long before that.
STO copies the number in the display to the memory location.
RCL copies the number from the memory location to the display.
SUM adds the number in the display to the number in the memory location.
EXC swaps the number in the display with the number in the memory location.
Key Usage (RPN mode): The number keys, CHS (change sign), +, -, ∗, /, and ENTR keys all do exactly what you would expect them to do. Many of the remaining keys are the same as in normal mode. The differences are detailed below.
<- is a backspace key that can be used while typing a number. It will erase digits from the display.
ON clears everything, the display, the state, the memory, everything. Pressing it with the right button ’turns off’ the calculator, in that it exits the program. Somewhat more equivalent to throwing the calculator in the trash, if we were to pursue the analogy.
INV inverts the meaning of the function keys. This would be the "f" key on an HP calculator, but xcalc does not have the resolution to display multiple legends on each key. See the individual function keys for details.
10^x raises "10.0" to the number in the top of the stack. When inverted, it calculates the log (base 10) of the number in the display.
e^x raises "e" to the number in the top of the stack. When inverted, it calcuates the log (base e) of the number in the display.
STO copies the number in the top of the stack to a memory location. There are 10 memory locations. The desired memory is specified by following this key with pressing a digit key.
RCL pushes the number from the specified memory location onto the stack.
SUM adds the number on top of the stack to the number in the specified memory location.
x:y exchanges the numbers in the top two stack positions.
R v rolls the stack downward. When inverted, it rolls the stack upward.
blank these keys were used for programming functions on the HP11-C. Their functionality has not been duplicated here.
KEYBOARD EQUIVALENTS
If you have the pointer in the xcalc window, you can use the keyboard to speed entry, as almost all of the calculator keys have a keyboard equivalent. The number keys, the operator keys, and the parentheses all have the obvious equivalent. The less-obvious equivalents are as follows:
n: +/- !: x!
p: PI e: EE
l: ln ^: y^x
i: INV s: sin
c: cos t: tan
d: DRG BS, DEL: CE/C ("<-" in RPN mode)
CR: ENTR q: quit
COLOR USAGE
Xcalc uses a lot of colors, given the opportunity. In the default case, it will just use two colors (Foreground and Background) for everything. This works out nicely. However, if you’re a color fanatic you can specify the colors used for the number keys, the operator (+-∗/=) keys, the function keys, the display, and the icon.
X DEFAULTS
The program uses the routine XGetDefault(3X) to read defaults, so its resource names are all capitalized.
BorderWidth
Specifies the width of the border. The default is 2.
ReverseVideo
Indicates that reverse video should be used.
Stipple Indicates that the background should be stippled. The default is “on” for monochrome displays, and “off” for color displays.
Mode Specifies the default mode. Allowable values are rpn, analog.
Foreground
Specifies the default color used for borders and text.
Background
Specifies the default color used for the background.
NKeyFore, NKeyBack
Specifies the colors used for the number keys.
OKeyFore, OKeyBack
Specifies the colors used for the operator keys.
FKeyFore, FKeyBack
Specifies the colors used for the function keys.
DispFore, DispBack
Specifies the colors used for the display.
IconFore, IconBack
Specifies the colors used for the icon.
EXAMPLES
If you’re running on a monochrome display, you shouldn’t need any .Xdefaults entries for xcalc. On a color display, you might want to try the following in normal mode:
xcalc.Foreground: Black
xcalc.Background: LightSteelBlue
xcalc.NKeyFore: Black
xcalc.NKeyBack: White
xcalc.OKeyFore: Aquamarine
xcalc.OKeyBack: DarkSlateGray
xcalc.FKeyFore: White
xcalc.FKeyBack: #900
xcalc.DispFore: Yellow
xcalc.DispBack: #777
xcalc.IconFore: Red
xcalc.IconBack: White
SEE ALSO
BUGS
The calculator doesn’t resize.
The slide rule and HP mode may or may not work correctly.
This application should really be implemented with the X Toolkit. It would make a very good example of a compound widget.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright 1988, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
See X(1) for a full statement of rights and permissions.
AUTHORS
John Bradley, University of Pennsylvania
Mark Rosenstein, MIT Project Athena
X Version 11 — Last change: 26 October 1988