Copyright: Copyright Donahue Enterprises 1993


PowerCalc  Help

Welcome to  PowerCalc, a calculator for Windows that is designed with the serious calculator user in mind.  PowerCalc is designed to replace the calculator that comes with Windows with a more powerful and customizable calculator that can be tailored to your needs.

The goal of PowerCalc is to meet the calculating needs of the user.  We have designed this calculator to be used by engineers, surveyors, architects, technicians, students in advanced mathematical classes, and any others who have the need for a powerful and usable calculator.  If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact Technical Support and we will do our best to put your ideas to work.

PowerCalc is a shareware product.  You may use PowerCalc for up to sixty days on a trial basis, but after this you should register your copy.  There are benefits to registration.  You will receive free technical support, a printed manual, and free upgrades for one year upon registration of your copy.  Choose "Registration" from the list below for more details.  Please feel free to copy and distribute PowerCalc to anybody you feel may be interested.

For help on a specific topic, pick one of the items from the list below.

Introduction to PowerCalc

Registration

RPN Logic

The Stack

Operation and Numeric Functions

Keyboard / Mouse Integration

Data Exchange

User Preferences

Statistical Functions

Modules (Add-in programs)

Macros


Introduction
Introduction  to  PowerCalc

If you use a calculator on a regular basis, you probably have noticed that the Windows default calculator is not powerful enough for many applications, and is difficult to use for lengthy calculations.  PowerCalc offers the following solutions to these problems these problems:

- Keyboard / Mouse Integration

PowerCalc has been designed to function completely from the keyboard, and support  mouse operations if desired.  Those who do series of calculations using a combination of keyboard commands and mouse commands will appreciate this.  Using the keyboard only can greatly speed up your calculation time, as you do not have to switch constantly between the keyboard and the mouse.  However, the mouse is completely supported for those who prefer to use it.  For quick calculations, the mouse may be a speedier choice.

- RPN Logic

PowerCalc is based on RPN logic, which is the same type used in HP calculators.  In fact, if you know how to use any HP calculator, you know how to use PowerCalc.

RPN logic is extremely powerful for performing long algebraic operations.  Its operation is similar to that of an adding machine.

 - Macros

Long, repetitive series of keystrokes can be eliminated through the use of macros.  You may record your keystrokes and play them back with the touch of a single key.

This will be useful, for example, an applying a long formula to several different numbers to compare results.

- Modules (Add-in Programs)

PowerCalc will have several modules available for specific purposes.  Currently in development are Land Surveying, Civil Engineering, and Mathematical Formulas.

- Data Sharing

PowerCalc allows you to copy the results of your calculations to the Clipboard and paste the contents of the Clipboard for your use.  This allows your data to be shared among different applications in Windows without having to retype your results.  This powerful feature will allow you to copy numbers into reports, or directly into other programs that need numbers for their own calculations.


Registration

PowerCalc is a shareware product.  You may use PowerCalc on a trial basis for a sixty day period.  If you find it useful, you are encouraged to register your copy.  The cost of registration is $19.95.  Registration offers you the following benefits:

- Free support

Registered users will receive free technical support.

- Bound Manual

You will receive a bound reference guide to help you use PowerCalc more effectively.

- Free Upgrades

You will receive all upgrades to PowerCalc free of charge for a period of one year from the time of registration.

- To Register ...

To register, open the file "REGISTER.TXT" from the Notepad program, or choose the "Register" item on the PowerCalc menu.  Print out the contents of this file and send in the coupon that you will find there.  If for some reason you are missing this file, please send your payment of $19.95 to the following address:

PowerCalc

Donahue Enterprises

10693 Blue Crest Drive

Yucaipa, CA 92399

Please specify whether you prefer 3.5" or 5.25" disks.

Or use the "Print Topic" option under the file menu of this help screen

to print out the coupon below, then send it in.

*****     POWERCALC REGISTRATION     *****

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please register my copy of PowerCalc.  I have enclosed $19.95 as payment.

______________________________________________

Name

______________________________________________       ____  3.5" disk

Company Name

______________________________________________       ____  5.25" disk

Address

______________________________________________

City,State,Zip

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Send the above coupon, along with $19.95 as payment, to:

PowerCalc

Donahue Enterprises

10693 Blue Crest Drive

Yucaipa, CA 92399

Make check or money order payable in U.S. dollars to Donahue Enterprises.

For site licensing information, please contact Donahue Enterprises at the

address above. For any questions regarding PowerCalc, you may reach the author

at the above address or leave a message for Pat Donahue on Compuserve,

70714,2334.


RPN
RPN Logic

RPN stands for "Reverse Polish Notation."  RPN is a very powerful logic used in some types of calculators, notably HP calculators.  Those of you who are familiar with the operating logic of HP calculators can skip this introduction to RPN and begin using PowerCalc right away.

The key to RPN is the "Enter" key on the calculator.  You probably have noticed that PowerCalc does not have an ' = ' button.  The 'Enter' key takes care of the operations that you would normally associate with the ' = ' key.  To  make this clearer, let's look at an example.

Using the calculator that is supplied with Windows, you would add two numbers by pressing these keys in sequence:

2  +  2  =

and the answer of '4' would appear in the display area. Using PowerCalc, you would add two numbers together like this:

2  <Enter>  2  +

PowerCalc performs arithmetic and other mathematical functions by storing numbers onto a storage device known as The Stack.  The stack is a four-number storage register.  You may enter several numbers onto the stack to be used during your calculations.  As you will see, this will allow you to do series of computations quickly and easily without the need for the cumbersome parentheses you may be used to using.  Let's look at another example to make this a little clearer.  Suppose you wanted to find the solution to the following equation:

5 X ( 17 - 12 ) / ( 10 - 5 )

Using a 'normal' calculator, you may enter the above equation exactly as shown.  Note that you have to enter parentheses several times, slowing down your operation significantly, before you finally arrive at the correct answer of 5.  Now, look at the series of keystrokes that you would use to find the answer on PowerCalc (note that the Enter button has been abbreviated to E):

5 E 17 E 12 - X 10 E 5 - /

you have accomplished the task with the same number of keystrokes but your hand has never left the 10-key area of the keyboard, speeding your operation up substantially.  You can now see the power this program offers you for long, complicated series of calculations.  RPN, coupled with The Stack, allows you to enter several numbers to be used for intermediate results during your calculations.

Let's take a step by step look at how PowerCalc interprets the equation in the last example.

5 E	-  Enter 5 into the stack.  Display shows 5.

17 E	-  Enter 17 into the stack.  5 moves up the stack.  Display shows 17.

12 -	-  Subtract 12 from 17.  5 moves down the stack.  Display shows 5.

X	-  Multiply the result of the last operation (17 - 12) by 5.  Display shows 25.

10 E	-  Enter 10 into the stack.  Display shows 10.  25 moves up stack.

5 -	-  Subtract 5 from 10.  Display shows 5.

/ 	-  Divide 5 into 25.  Display shows 5, the correct answer.

For additional information on how the stack operates, see The Stack.


The Stack

The Stack is the data storage device that PowerCalc uses to store the numbers you enter and the intermediate results of your calculations.  It is a four number storage register with some unique properties.  The stack is arranged this way:

    4.0000        <------  T      The top of the stack

    3.0000        <------  Z

    2.0000        <------  Y

    1.0000        <------  X       The bottom of the stack; this member is always displayed.

The entries of the stack are referred to as X, Y, Z and T.  X is represented in the display.  When you enter a number into PowerCalc, the stack is bumped up.  The number you entered becomes the new X value, the previous X becomes Y, the previous Y becomes Z, and the previous Z becomes T.  The previous T is lost.  Thus PowerCalc maintains a four-number database upon which you can nest calculations for complex algebraic formulas.

When you operate on a number in PowerCalc, for example, if you add two numbers together, the opposite occurs to the stack: the stack is bumped down.  If you were to add two numbers, the operator '+'  would combine the X and Y values, place the X value in the display, place the previous Z value in the Y register, and place the previous T value in the Z register.  The previous T value would be preserved.

Numbers are first entered into the stack, then operated on.  This is different from the way most calculators work.  With an average calculator, you would enter a number, choose an operator such as +,  -,  *, or /,  then enter another number and press = .  With PowerCalc, you would enter both numbers, then hit +.

An example may make these concepts clearer.

If the stack above were resident in PowerCalc, the display would be 1.0000.  If you pressed +, the Y member would be added to the X member.  This would happen to the stack:

If you were to enter the number 8.0000 into the stack, this would happen to the stack:


Operations and Numeric Functions
Operation and Numeric Functions

PowerCalc offers you a full complement of scientific calculator functions, as well as functions you may not be able to find elsewhere.  Click on any of the calculator buttons below to receive help on specific functions, menu items or other choices.


Shift

The Shift Key allows you to access the functions in white that appear above buttons.  Click on the function you want for more information.


Clear

The Clear button clears the statistics register, allowing you to begin a new set of statistical observations.


Sigma Minus

The Sigma Minus button subtracts an entry previously made to the statistics register.  For more information see the help screen for Statistics.


Sigma Plus

The Sigma Plus button adds an entry to the statistics register.  For more information see the help screen for Statistics.


Backspace

The Backspace button will delete the last character you entered.


Numeric Keypad

This is the Numeric Keypad area of PowerCalc.  You may enter numbers either from the 10-key area of your keyboard or from the typewriter area.


Arithmetic

The arithmetic operators Add (+), Subtract (-), Multiply (*), and Divide (/) operate as you would expect.  Keep in mind that PowerCalc works with a stack, so you will want to hit these keys after the numbers are entered.


Storage Registers

The Sto button stores the number in the display into the storage register you specify.  You have 20 different registers you can store numbers into.  When you are ready to use the number you have stored again, choose the Rcl button.  This will recall the number from the register you specify.


Trigonometric Functions

PowerCalc supports the basic trigonometric functions, their inverses, and additionally the hyperbolic trig functions.  Pressing the sin, cos, or tan buttons will give you the sine, cosine, or tangent, respectively, of the number in the display.  If the Shift button is hit first, these buttons will compute the inverse sine, cosine and tangent.  If the hyp (hyperbolic) button is hit first, the hyperbolic sine, hyperbolic cosine or hyperbolic tangent will be computed.  The trig functions will work in any angle mode.  For more  information, click on the Modes area of this help screen.


X<>Y

Clicking on the X<>Y button exchanges the information in the X and Y Registers of the stack.


Hyperbolic Trig Functions

Clicking the hyp button prior to one of the trigonometric functions will allow you to compute the hyperbolic sine, cosine or tangent.


Degrees to Radians
Converting Degrees to Radians and vice versa

The ->rad button converts an angle expressed in degrees to one expressed in radians.  If the Shift key is on, the ->deg function will be performed, which converts an angle expressed in radians to one expressed in degrees.


Hours to Hours, Minutes and Seconds
Converting Decimal Angles to Hours, Minutes and Seconds

The ->hr button converts an angle expressed in Hours, Minutes and Seconds to one expressed in  decimal degrees, or Hours.  If the Shift key is on, the ->hms function will be performed, which converts an angle expressed in Hours to one expressed in Hours, Minutes and Seconds.

Note: Angles expressed in Hours, Minutes and Seconds will be represented in the display as follows:  HHH.MMSS  where H=Hours, M=Minutes, S=Seconds.


Square Root and Square functions

The Square Root button computes the square root of the number in the display.  If Shift is on, the square of the number will be computed.


Base 10 Logarithm and 10 to the Xth power functions

This button will give you the base 10 logarithm, or "log", of the number in the display.  If Shift is on, it will raise 10 to the power of the number in the display.


Base 'e' Logarithm and 'e' to the Xth power functions

This button will give you the base 'e' logarithm, or "ln", of the number in the display.  If Shift is on, it will raise 'e' to the power of the number in the display.


Percent

This button computes X percent of Y.  IFor example, if you want to find the 12 percent of  127, enter this sequence of characters:

127 <Enter> 12 <%>


Factorial
x! , the Factorial function

This button computes the factorial of a number you specify.  The number must be a positive integer.  The factorial function is defined as follows:

x! = (x)(x-1)(x-2)....(3)(2)(1)


Pi

Gives you the value of pi for use in your calculations.


Y to the Xth power

Raises the number in the Y register of the stack by the number in the X register (the display) and places the value in the X register.


Preferences Screen Area
Preferences

Calls up the Preferences dialog box.  This will allow you to set preferences for several items for use during the current session.  This dialog box is divided into three sections:

1.  Display type - Prompts you to Enter whether to display in fixed (decimal) or scientific notation.

2.  Angle type - Prompts you whether to display and process angles as decimal degrees, radians or hours, minutes and seconds.

3.  Number of decimal digits - Prompts you to enter the number of places you want displayed after the decimal point.  The maximum number of places is 9.


Formulas Screen Area
Formulas

Opens Windows' Notepad and displays information about registering PowerCalc. You can print this file and send in the coupon to become a registered user.


Macros Screen Area
Macros

Allows you to load and run macros that you have created.  For more information on using macros, see the help screen for Macros.


Calculator Type

Informs you of the type of calculator that is loaded at the present time.  Unregistered copies  will read "Shareware Version".


Modes

This area informs you of the modes that PowerCalc is currently operating under.  The information reported is the display type (fixed or scientific), the angle type (degree, radians or H.MS), whether Shift is on, and whether hyp (hyperbolic trig functions) is on.


Display Screen Area
Display area

This area shows the output of your entry and calculations.  It represents the value currently in the X register of the stack.


Menu Screen Area
Menu area

This area allows you to access the Data sharing, Statistics output,  Modules, and Help areas of PowerCalc.  See the help screens for these individual items for more information.


1/X

Computes the inverse of X, or 1 divided by X.


Change sign
chs

Changes the algebraic sign of the number currently in the display.


eex

Raises the number in the display by 10 to the power you specify.


Clear X
Clx

The Clx button clears the display to 0, and puts 0 in the X value of the stack.


Roll Down

This button rolls the stack down, allowing you to cycle through and view the contents of the X, Y, Z and Y registers.


Enter

The Enter button allows you to enter numbers into the stack.  Typically you will enter one or more numbers and then do operations on them.  For example, to solve the equation:

2 / ( 3 X 2 )

you would do the following:

2 <Enter> 3 <Enter> 2 X /

You first enter 2, then enter 3, then multiply 2 by 3, then divide the result into 2, to obtain the answer of 0.3333....

For more information, see the help screens on RPN and The Stack.


Keyboard / Mouse Integration

PowerCalc offers you full use of the mouse for all your calculations.  However, there will be times when you will find it to your advantage to use the keyboard exclusively.  This will be useful, for example, when you want to perform complicated operations quickly, so that you are not forced to skip between the mouse and the keyboard.  For this reason, all of PowerCalc's functions may be accessed through the keyboard.  The keyboard key that corresponds to the PowerCalc function will be found above the button on the picture of PowerCalc below.  Once you have learned the keyboard keys for the fuctions you use most, you will be surprised at the speed at which you can calculate.


Macros

PowerCalc includes a macro language.  This will allow you to program the calculator to do sequences of commands that you would otherwise have to plug in manually.  This will be useful to you whenever you want to perform the same series of mathematical operations on several different numbers.

Shown below are the macro commands that PowerCalc supports.  Note that these commands generally take the form \X, where X represents the letter of the command you want to use.

For example, if you wanted to find the square root of 2 times Pi divided by 3 times a given number, you could enter this sequence into the calculator :

2 <Ent> <Shift> <x!> * 3 / <Sqrt>

However, if you wanted to perform this same operation on several numbers, you would have a lot of keystrokes to enter.  You could create a macro for this using the macro commands shown above.  In this case the commands would be:

2

\f \! * 3 / \q

Note the new line between '2' and '\f'.  This is how you specify an <Enter> command.  Whenever you want to insert and <Enter> in your macro, just start a new line.

In order to program PowerCalc, you will need a text file with the macro commands in it.  You can create such a file using the Windows Notepad program.  Enter your series of keystrokes, then save the file.  It is suggested that you use the extension .PWR for your macros;  PowerCalc will default to this extension when you press the Load button.

Once you have created your macro file, you need to load it into PowerCalc.  To load this file, choose Load button.  Once it is loaded, you may run it at any time by choosing the Run button.


Data Exchange

PowerCalc includes the ability to use the Windows Clipboard.  You can use this to exchange information between applications.  You can export the display number from PowerCalc, and you may import into the display a number from any other application that supports the Clipboard.


Modules

Modules are programs developed for PowerCalc that will extend its functionality for a particular purpose.

Several add-in programs, or Modules, are planned for PowerCalc.  Currently under development are a Civil Engineering Module and a Land Surveying Module.  For more information contact Donahue Enterprises.


Statistics

PowerCalc Supports most basic statistical functions.  Statistics are entered using the Sigma + and the Sigma - buttons found toward the lower right corner of the calculator.  When you want to enter an observation, enter the number(s) (both the X and Y registers may be used) and hit Sigma +.  If you entered a number incorrectly or wish to delete a particular observation, enter the number(s) you wish to delete by pressing Sigma -.  You may view your results from the Statistics menu at the top of PowerCalc.