Peter Gordon said:
Does anyone have any suggestions for a good
scientific calculator.
<Snip>
For awhile I did almost all my "calculating" using SQL. Either the
IDE or a SQL query window was open, I was writting code intermittently
so I knew most of the functions by heart, etc. Now I mostly use
Dave's Quick Search Deskbar for one or two line expressions. Someone
else I know uses the calculator and converter in Calendar Magic.
First, these are the scientific calculators I have used off and on for
years: Calc98 and sometimes ESBCalc(free) or more recently pmaCalc
(and DeskCalc).
- Calc98 (registerware) is quite traditional, stable, and powerful --
rather like a good versatile scientific pocket calculator. Be sure to
look at the screenshots page: statistics, finance, hex, RPN, periodic
table, physical constants, stopwatch, .... Graphs and tape are about
the only things missing.
http://www.calculator.org/
- ESBCalc Pro($) is nice; the free version somewhat hobbled.
- pmaCalc (free personal use) is nice if you just need trig and binary
functions and money and unit conversion. You can scroll the results,
but not a real tape.
http://www.pmasoft.net/englisch/pmacalc.htm
Second, I recently looked for a better scientific
calculator/expression solver, preferably with a modifiable tape. I
didn't care about graphing, matrices, and higher level mathematics
beyond simple trig and the like. You might get a better response if
you mentioned a few features that were particularly important to you
(e.g., infix or RPN, binary/hex, physical constants) or a discipline
(e.g., computer science, physics, civil engineering). You also might
get a better response in the science or engineering ngs, especially
one with lots of students.
I've listed the new ones (to me) that I picked out to try
(descriptions at bottom). Note, not all of these have a good tape or
equivalent. I just found DazyCalc this week and happened upon
AllerCalc last night!
I think Dicom is probably the gem if you are willing to read the
manual and spend an hour or two playing with it. Wow. Some of the
others might be better for some purposes, though.
(Descriptions at the bottom)
Dicom
http://www.knowbotron.com/
DazyCalc V2.34 Programable Expression Evaluator
http://www.dazyweblabs.com/dazycalc/index.html
Expression Solver
http://www.hbteng.com/Prod03.htm
AllerCalc
http://www.allersoft.com/allercalc.htm
Math Expression Calculator
http://softnik.com/products/mathex/
CyberCalc - Calculator and Measurement Unit Converter
http://www.cybermetrics.com/CyberCalc/CCalc.htm
Plamen's Super Calculator
http://members.tripod.com/plamentd/downloads.html
Please let us know what you find when you evaluate your choices.
BTW, someone with an interest in audio might find DazyWebLabs.com
interesting. Some common and some quite esoteric software there.
BillR
==============================
DiCom
http://www.knowbotron.com/
Think of this as a free form RTF text-calculator that knows all about
units of measure. The author stresses the automatic conversion
feature but the real utility for me is being able to intermix
calculations with text and recalculating, if that is what I want. It
does require a little advance planning to use. For example if I type
A=1 B=2 C=3 A+B*C and calculate, the result (7) can either replace
the expression or solve it.
(Site excerpts)
What it does?
Dicom calculates, converts and computes. The first ever computing tool
that deals with dimensions of physical quantities in mathematical
expression, Dicom, has the answer to expression like: 30 mi./h.+6
ft./s.+15.24 m./s. to ft./s. Dicom can evaluate expressions anywhere
in a rich text formatted document. It has a built-in rich text editor.
Process your words, numbers, and measurements at one place. Good
luck!!!
So, Dicom is more than just Calculator?
Yes, conventional software based calculator usually simulates the real
calculators. Dicom has a calculator which is very different. It is
rather an expression evaluator. And probably for the first time, you
can evaluate dimensional expression. It has a unit converter too. That
allows you to quickly convert from one unit to another. And as stated
already, it has a built in rich text editor that can process texts as
well as dimensional expressions.
What is dimensional expression?
6*5/3+2-1 is a mathematical expression, for example. This expression
is dimension-less. The result of the expression is 11. But it is just
a number and does not represent any physical quantity like length,
mass, time, etc., unless you explicitly mention what it represents.
On the other hand, 30 mi./h.+6 ft./s.+15.24 m./s. is another
mathematical expression which has got dimensions of physical
quantities. In this expression mi.,h., ft., s., and m., are mile,
hour, feet, second, and meter respectively that represent either
length or time. Thus each term of the expression has two dimensions,
length and time. In combination they represent the speed or velocity
of something. You can express the result of a dimensional expression
to another consistent or homogeneous unit. To express the result in
ft./s., for example, you need to write following expression in dicom:
30 mi./h.+6 ft./s.+15.24 m./s. to ft./s.
Dicom will happily respond to that, giving you the result, which is of
course 100 ft./s.
Although, Dicom can recognize around 90 physical quantities and 650
units, it is not limited to this set. User can easily add new physical
quantity and unit to the Dicom database. Once added to the database,
user-defined units can be used exactly like Dicom factory-defined
units in a dimensional expression.
What about Dicom Document?
Dicom document is rich text formatted (RTF) file, which is portable
across many applications and platforms. Dicom document, however, is
not meant to be a word processed file, there are already robust
software to do that business of word processing. In a Dicom document
you can write your formatted text and expression together which form
the Dicom Input Document. Later you can process the file to evaluate
the expressions within the document. Dicom will generate a
corresponding Output Document.
What are the Applications of Dicom?
Dicom can be useful in many areas, especially in science and
engineering. Besides the need of quick calculation or unit conversion,
some possible applications of Dicom can be, design verification, quick
estimates, surveying, laboratory calculation, research, student's work
sheet, etc.
==============================
DazyCalc V2.34 Programable Expression Evaluator
http://www.dazyweblabs.com/dazycalc/index.html
(Site excerpts)
- GUI based expression calculator with WYSIWYG formula entry with
calculation history list, favorite formulas, user constant list and
Script area.
- Expression solver with programable scripting, hex-dec-bin ops, 2D,3D
equation graphing, loan calc, electronic formula functions, statistics
with regression analysis, geometry calc, advanced text editor, image
editor/viewer, complex math, matrix math, linear equation solver, unit
conversion, chartmaker/ graph plotter, periodic table, equation
illustrator, hex viewer, schematic editor.
==============================
Expression Solver
http://www.hbteng.com/Prod03.htm
This small utility can be very useful for those who need some more
difficult calculations on line than simple additions or divisions
supplied by Calc.exe.
The application is represented by a very simple edit window where the
user can digit mathematical expressions.
Expressions can be composed by unary and binary operators with as many
bracketing levels as the user needs. After the expression has been
confirmed by an enter, the program will prompt the user with the
result or the returned error explanation, if any.
Main Features
More than 20 operators and functions supported
Trigonometrical function supported
Unlimited bracketing level
==============================
AllerCalc
http://www.allersoft.com/allercalc.htm
(Site excerpts)
AllerCalc (formerly known as VersaCalc) is an expression calculator
which allows you to directly enter an expression to be evaluated. This
versatile calculator features:
- A re-sizable rolling display storing all of your inputs and results.
- More than one hundred functions, including algebraic,
transcendental, trigonometric, hyperbolic, engineering, statistical,
and financial functions.
- Numerical integration, differentiation, and root-finding.
- Calculations not only in decimal but also in binary, octal,
hexadecimal, and other numeric bases.
- A comprehensive unit converter that can convert between virtually
any two units in metric, English, and US systems.
- A list of common physical constants found in science and
engineering.
- User-defined constants, conversions and functions.
- Storing results in an unlimited number of variables.
==============================
Math Expression Calculator
http://softnik.com/products/mathex/
Multivariable expression calculator
==============================
CyberCalc - Calculator and Measurement Unit Converter
http://www.cybermetrics.com/CyberCalc/CCalc.htm
This FREE utility is much more than a calculator. It automatically
converts values expressed in one unit of measure (of area, length,
weight, volume, temperature, time, speed, pressure and energy) to
equivalent values in another. CyberCalc also supports "Active Skins"
for a completely customized look.
==============================
