Talk:Calculator input methods
Reverse Polish notation (RPN) (postfix notation)
How do you get down to five key strokes ? Is there a shorter way than
- 3 enter 2 x 1 + (six key strokes)?
Bram4 (talk) 21:16, 11 October 2009 (UTC)
Evolution
I think the article is should reflect historical evolution of calculator input methods. I identified the following phases:
- 1968 RPN
- The first "calculator" to use RPN was the HP9100A, which was introduced in 1968, although this machine is now regarded by many as the first desktop computer. [1]
- 1970 Immediate execution with out operator precedence
- In April 1970, the Pocketronic appeared on the Japanese market; it was a four-function, entirely electronic calculator that retailed for about $400.[2]
- 1974 Immediate execution with operator precedence
- The SR-50 A TI SR-50 (1974) [...] of the first calculators to implement "algebraic logic" (i.e. operator precedence) where 1 + 2 x 3 gives you 7, not 9[3]
- 1980 Infix (BASIC)
- [...]1980 with the introduction of the Sharp PC-1211, the first pocket computer programmable in a high-level language.[...] [4]
- 1992 Infix (D.A.L., V.P.A.M.)
- Introduced in 1992 and an industry-first, SHARP's D.A.L. allows symbols and numbers of an equation to be entered as they are written. [5].
- Infix (WriteView, Natural textbook display)
- Could not find out when this was first introduced.
One problem for an encyclopaedic article is that not all phases have an official name.
- An historical approach is fine by me, but it should be noted that the phrase "an industry-first" is misleading because both graphic calculators (e.g. fx-7000G introduced in 1985) and programmable calculators (e.g. fx-4500P) could do things like 1+2sin 30=. It might be closer to the truth to say the first non-graphic, non-programmable which allows symbols and numbers of an equation to be entered as they are written.
- Also it should be noted that even today you can buy calculators for several different input methods, that is to say new methods did not completely replace older methods. Wikicgc (talk) 20:19, 1 July 2009 (UTC)
- I agree with you on both accounts. When I first read about D.A.L. my first though was "What about my Sharp PC-1403 - that would do 1 + 2 * sin (30) when used in basic mode..." --Krischik T 09:44, 2 July 2009 (UTC)