Main Area and Open Discussion > General Software Discussion

Excalibur 32-bit

<< < (4/4)

f0dder:
Once you have learned to use the stack in an HP calculator (an RPN implementation), for instance, you'll understand why RPN is so popular with the more technical-minded among us.
-JohnFredC
--- End quote ---
If the alternative is a calculator without decent editing facilities, perhaps... but with even the simple editing of a, say, TI-83, I see no advantage of RPN over standard algebraic syntax that most people can read fluently.

JeffC:
I have used both algebraic and RPN calculators as stand alone machines and on computer programs.  I think that RPN comes into its own with stand alone machines - I can input data MUCH more quickly and accurately using RPN logic on those machines.  I have both a TI-89 (algebraic) and an HP-49G (algebraic or RPN) and, in my opinion, the latter machine is far more productive in daily use when used in RPN mode.  On the computer I don't find the advantage nearly as noticeable, and there are a lot of clever algebraic based calculators available: particularly ones without a keypad that are for 'just figurin ..' like Calcute (http://calcute.com/) or SpeQ Mathematics (http://www.speqmath.com/) both of which are freeware.

f0dder:
Both SpeQ and Calcute look pretty nice - thanks for those link!

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page