icalc version 2.1a
(C) 1991, 1992 Martin W. Scott. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome to icalc version 2.1! If you're new to icalc, first read this
document, then the 'UserGuide'. If you've used version 2.0 before, a
glance at the 'History' and a quick review of the 'Advanced Guide' will
bring you up to date. Users of the versions 1.x should re-read all
docmentation.
Version 2.0 contained a major bug fix to the sqrt function, some minor
(pvr-based) bug fixes to the inverse trig functions, and many major
enhancements since version 1.1.
Version 2.1 contains a yet another bug-fix of the sqrt function,
plus a couple of other minor fixes. In version 2.0, sqrt would very
rarely behave incorrectly, due to an obscure rounding error. This has
been fixed, hopefully for the last time.
Version 2.1a is identical to version 2.1 except that a number display bug
has been fixed.
This version introduces flexible number-base control (so you can do all
your calculations in hexadecimal if you want) plus one or two minor
enhancements. Also included are some powerful scripts to perform
numerical integration and polynomial root-finding.
Overview
--------
icalc is a (shell-based) calculator/programming language, with a number
of powerful features. Programmers will find the base conversion useful,
complex arithmetic will aid those working in electronics, and a host of
other capabilities should satisfy most people's needs:
- evaluates complicated expressions in same manner as many
programing languages and advanced pocket calculators;
- many built-in functions and constants;
- arbitrarily named variables;
- user-defined functions with C-like control-structures;
- one-dimensional arrays;
- performs complex-number arithmetic (including trig stuff etc.);
- can work in any number-base from 2 to 36;
- extensible through script files;
- much more...
You can react in a number of ways to the above list:
Reaction: Looks too complicated for me!
My Answer: You don't have to utilise what you don't want/need to;
you can use icalc at a number of different levels.
Reaction: It's free, so it's bound to be pretty crap...
My Answer: Try it out. If you still think that, pass it over. I
could have made it shareware, but it's against my
principles (still an idealist at my age...)
Reaction: Who needs another programming language?
My Answer: icalc is fast enough for many math tasks, and is quick
to get into -- no compilation etc., it's interactive,
and great for prototyping. Plus, if you need complex
arithmetic, you don't have to write loads of support
routines, I've already done that.
Documentation
-------------
Apart from this file and the history, instructions are split into two
parts, a User Guide, and an Advanced Guide. The user guide covers
material explaining the calculator nature of icalc, with simple function
definition; the Advanced Guide covers control-structures, arrays and
more complicated function definitions.
You may notice that the User Guide is nicely formatted, whilst the
Advanced Guide is not. This is because I used nro for document processing
in the past, but intend switching it over to TeX (sometime).
Installation
------------
icalc uses the standard Commodore mathieeedoub-libraries, which should
be in your LIBS: directory. You may optionally copy the 'icalc.init'
file to your S: directory. It contains various useful extensions to
icalc, and is read on startup. (There is an extensively commented
version for your perusal too.)
That's it.
Scripts
-------
icalc comes with a few useful scripts. If you write any that you think
may be useful, send them to me and I'll include them in the next release.
Contact + Moans
---------------
Source is available on request, for a fee of $25 (US), or equivalent in
your currency. Cash or IMOs/Eurochecques are preferable to Bank cheques.
For the same fee, versions compiled for 680x0 with 6888x can be obtained.
(One fee covers both, though).
Of course, if you like icalc and are a kind-hearted soul, I'll gladly
accept any money you may wish to send (poor student and all that).
Send all comments, suggestions, bug-reports, scripts, money etc. to me at:
Martin W. Scott,
23, Drum Brae North,
Edinburgh EH4 8AT,
United Kingdom.
I can be contacted by email (until about June 1993) at:
mws@castle.ed.ac.uk
I would like to thank the (few) people who have responded to previous
versions of icalc. Although I write software mainly for myself, I go to
considerable effort making it releasable (such as writing documentation,
retaining compatability with previous versions).
If I get little or no response from this release, I must assume that
little or no people are using it, and thus will stop issuing updates and
bug fixes. icalc is NOT shareware, and although I'm happy to receive
contributions for my efforts, I don't expect them. I DO expect people to
let me know they're using icalc though, even if it's just a postcard.
Thank you for reading, and enjoy...
Martin.
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