Sunday, January 8, 2017

The Calculator Minimalist Programming Club

The Calculator Minimalist Programming Club


When you are in the mood to program only the quickest calculations and you don’t need all the bells and whistles, check out these vintage and modern calculators from minimalist programming club. In attempt to minimize the amount of words said, we’re just going to start.

Top: Radio Shack EC-4004, Casio fx-3600g, Casio fx-3650p; Bottom:  Radio Shack EC-4036, Texas Instruments TI-55 III, Active RPN app on my iPod Touch
A screen shot of the Active RPN app
Top Row:

Calculator
Radio Shack EC-4004
Casio fx-6300g
Casio fx-3650p
Type
Programmable
Graphing
Solar Programmable
Year Originated (approximate)
1981
1991
2013
Forensic Value
9.00015718
9.00015685
8.999998637
Batteries
LR 1130
2 CR 2032
1 LR 44 (backup)/Solar
Number of Storage Bytes
38
400
360
Number of Programming Spaces
2
10
4
Notes
Has six memory registers (Kin/Kout)

Linear Regression

Simple Loops (go back to step 1 if test fails)

RTN ends programs

“Blind” programming
26 Registers (A-Z)

Memory can be fragmented

Linear Regression

Can graph functions (y(x))

Base operations (BIN, DEC, OCT, HEX)

Loops: Isz, Dsz, Goto, Lbl, Jump

Fractions
7 Variables (A, B, C, D, X, Y, M)

6 Regressions (Linear, Logarithmic, Exponential, Power, Inverse, Quadratic)

Base operations (BIN, DEC, OCT, HEX)

Loops: Isz, Dsz, Goto, Lbl, Jump

Fractions, Integrals, Derivatives, Separate

Complex Mode (arithmetic, arg, abs, conjugate only)



Bottom Row:
Calculator
Radio Shack EC-4036
(also Citizen SRP-45)
Texas Instruments TI-55 III
Active RPN iOS App
Type
Programming
Programming
Programming
Year Originated (approximate)
1991 (Citizen)
1986
2010
Forensic Value
9.00001562
9.1146406
9.000417
Batteries
2 RS 357A
2 A76
N/A
Number of Storage Bytes
40
56* 
Partitioned with memory registers
80
Number of Programming Spaces
1
1
4
Notes
“Blind” programming

Integer function - not (see below) (program only)

Halt (Pause, R/S)
“Blind” programming but back and forward step are available

Integer, Fraction, Sign, Absolute value functions

Linear Regression

Combinations/Permutations require a n.rrr format

Integration (must have 3 memory registers, max of 40 programming steps)
Programs can be edited via text codes (key numbers)

Music/beeps can be turned on

No statistics

Entire four-level stack is shown at once

On the EC-4036, it turns out that  [ x ] is NOT the integer function.  [ x ] acts like a input prompt.  Programming with [ x ] gives a prompt [ n ].    Also, [HALT] just halts the calculator to show what is on the display.  Source:  Citizen SR145N manual, which is very similar to the EC-4036.  

Forensic Value =  asin( acos( atan( tan( cos( sin( 9°))) )))
This test is common.

“Blind” programming:  You don’t see an indicator that your step has been accepted.  In the case of the EC-4004 and EC-4036, there is no editing. 

Thanks to Jose Mesquita from the MoHPC Calculator forum for posting on the Citizen SRP-45, an equivalent of the Radio Shack EC-4036.  Link: http://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-6200-post-66474.html#pid66474


There are the first (and only?) inductees to the Calculator Minimalist Programming Club. 

Have a great day, and may your troubles be minimized,

Eddie

This blog is property of Edward Shore, 2017.