ReadMe file for rpCalc

Contents

• Background
• Features
• Legal Issues
• System Requirements
  • Linux
  • Windows
• Installation
  • Linux
  • Windows
• Using rpCalc
  • Basics
  • Information Windows
  • Options
• Revision History
• Questions, Comments, Criticisms?

Background

rpCalc started out as a small program written to try out various Python GUI toolkits. But I ended up using it all the time (it's much quicker to pull it up than to pull an actual HP calculator out of the desk), and I made several improvements. So I decided to make it available to others who also like RPN calculators.

Since I'm not in the software business, I'm making this program free for anyone to use, distribute and modify, as long as it is not incorporated into any proprietary programs. If you like the software, feel free to let others know about it. And let me know what you think - my e-mail address is doug101 AT bellz DOT org

Features

• Uses reverse polish notation, similar to most Hewlett-Packard calculators.
• The number, operator or command text on any key can be typed, or the mouse can be used to hit the key.
• If desired, the four RPN registers can be shown in the main display.
• A separate window can display the four RPN registers, a history of recent calculations, or the contents of the ten memory registers.
• Any values from the extra windows can be copied to the calculator display or to the clipboard.
• Options can be set to control the display of numbers and the initial window configuration.

Legal Issues

rpCalc is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either Version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY. See the LICENSE file provided with this program for more information.

System Requirements

Linux

rpCalc requires the following libraries:

• Qt (Version 4.1 or higher - see Trolltech for more information)
• Python (Version 2.3 or higher)
• PyQt (Version 4.0 or higher - see Riverbank for more information)

These libraries are relatively new - packages may not be available for your distribution. In that case, an earlier version of rpCalc (0.4.3) that depends on older libraries is still available.

Windows

Using the files provided in the binary distribution, rpCalc should run on any computer running Win 95, 98, NT, 2000, or XP.

Installation

Linux

Extract the source files from the rpcalc tar file, then change to the rpCalc directory in a terminal. For a basic installation, simply execute the following command as root: python install.py

To see all install options, use: python install.py -h

To install rpCalc with a different prefix (the default is /usr/local), use: python install.py -p /prefix/path

Windows

Simply execute the downloaded installation file (rpcalc-x.x.x-install.exe). It will install the program with its libraries and optionally create shortcuts.

If you wish to modify the source code or write your own PyQt programs for Windows, do not use the above procedure. Instead, you need to install Python, Qt, and PyQt. Then extract the source code and data files from the Linux version (rpcalc tar file) to a directory of your choice and execute the rpcalc.py file.

Using rpCalc

Basics

If you know how to use an RPN calculator (like Hewlett-Packard models), you know how to use rpCalc. It stores previous results in four registers (usually labeled X, Y, Z and T), and the numbers are entered before the operators.

The quickest way to enter numbers and the four basic operators is to use the number pad on the keyboard. For the other keys, the name on the key can be typed (not case-sensitive). What has been typed shows up in the box below the keys. The tab key may be used to automatically complete a partially typed command. Of course, the mouse may also be used to hit any key.

A few keys have unusual labels to allow them to be typed: "RCIP" is 1/X, "tn^X" is 10^X, "R<" rolls the stack back (or down), "R>" rolls the stack forward (or up), "x<>y" is exchange, "CLR" clears the registers, and "<-" is backspace.

A few commands ("STO", "RCL" and "PLCS") prompt for a number from zero through nine. This number will be the memory register number or the number of decimal places for the display.

Information Windows

A menu can be displayed by hitting the Esc key or by clicking on the main number (LCD) display with the right mouse button. This menu has commands to display a list of registers, a calculation history list, and a memory contents list. These commands will create a new window with the requested information. The extra window is tabbed to toggle between the three lists. Buttons on the window can be used to copy the numbers to the calculator (X-register) or to the clipboard (with buttons to copy either all decimal places or the formatted fixed decimal place number). The register list shows the register contents to full precision, with all available decimal places shown.

Options

The OPT key will show an options dialog box. This includes settings for showing the extra data window at startup, for display parameters and for angular unit selection. This box also has a button that, like the menu mentioned above, will show the extra data window with the register, history and memory information. In addition, the view registers option will show the contents of all four RPN registers on the main display. Note that the display parameters and the angle unit can also be changed using dedicated keys.

Revision History

October 3, 2006 - Release 0.5.0

New features:
• rpCalc was ported to the Qt4 library. This involved a significant rewrite of the code. The previous versions used Qt3.x on Linux and Qt2.3 on Windows. Benefits include updated widgets and removal of the non-commercial license exception in Windows.

Updates:
• On Windows, the rpCalc.ini file has been moved from the installation directory to a location under the "Documents and Settings" folder. This avoids problems on multi-user systems and for users with limited access rights.

March 12, 2004 - Release 0.4.3

New features:
• The size and position of the main and extra windows are now saved at exit.
• An install program has been added for windows.

Bug Fixes:
• Fixed Linux install script problems with certain versions of Python.

November 17, 2003 - Release 0.4.2

New Features:
• Allow the use of commas in addition to periods as decimal points to accomodate European keyboards.

Updates:
• An install script was added for Linux and Unix systems.
• The windows build now uses Python version 2.3 and PyQt version 3.8.

July 14, 2003 - Release 0.4.1

New Features:
• Added option to remove the LCD display highlight. This is useful for smaller displays

Bug Fixes:
• Fixed a problem with the option to display the extra data view on startup.

April 30, 2003 - Release 0.4.0

New Features:
• The main display can optionally be expanded to show lines for the Y, Z, & T registers.
• The three separate views for extra data (registers, history & memory) have been replaced with a single tabbed view.

Updates:
• Icon files are now provided with the distributed files.

Bug Fixes:
• Crashes caused by some calculation overflows have been fixed.

February 27, 2003 - Release 0.3.0

New Features:
• The typing of multiple-letter command names has been made easier. The return key is no longer needed to finish a command, and hitting the tab key auto-completes a partial command.
• Since it is no longer needed for entering commands, the return key is now equivalent to the enter key.
• New keys have been added for setting display and angle options. "PLCS" prompts for the number of decimal places, "SCI" toggles between fixed and scientific display, and "DEG" toggles between degree and radian settings. There is also a new status indicator in the lower right corner for these options.
• A new "SHOW" key temporarily toggles to a scientific display showing 12 significant figures. The display goes back to normal after the next command or if the "SHOW" command is repeated.

May 28, 2002 - Release 0.2.2a

Bug Fixes:
• A fix of the Windows binary only. Fixes major problems by upgrading the library version to PyQt 3.2.4.

May 16, 2002 - Release 0.2.2

Updates:
• rpCalc has been ported to Qt 3.x. It now works with both Qt 2.x and 3.x using the same source code.
• The help/readme file has been rewritten and now includes section links.
• The binaries for windows have been updated to Python 2.2 and PyQt 3.2 (but are still using Qt 2.3 Non-commercial).

September 8, 2001 - Release 0.2.1

Bug Fixes:
• Fixed a problem with extra views not always updating properly.
• Fixed copying to the clipboard from the history view.

August 30, 2001 - Release 0.2.0

New features:
• Extra views listing registers, calculation history and memory values were added.
• A popup menu was added to the display.

Updates:
• Improved error handling.

August 20, 2001 - Release 0.1.2

Updates:
• The name was changed to rpCalc to avoid conflicts.
• For MS Windows users, the binary files were upgraded to PyQt Version 2.5.

Bug Fixes:
• Problems with saving changed options were fixed.

August 10, 2001 - Release 0.1.1

New features:
• Added a button to the OPT dialog to view the ReadMe file.

Updates:
• The rpcalc.ini file on windows was moved to the program directory.

July 2, 2001 - Release 0.1.0

Initial release.

Questions, Comments, Criticisms?

I can be contacted by email at: doug101 AT bellz DOT org
I welcome any feedback, including reports of any bugs you find. Also, you can periodically check back to www.bellz.org for any updates.