Planning my first app: Scientific calculator

TheMarco · 06/30/2009, 11:49 PM

I'm planning my first WebOS app: a scientific calculator.
The design is mostly done. I'll be working on it in the next few weeks. I guess it shouldn't be THAT much work but unfortunately my time is kinda limited at the moment. Still I hope to finish it in a reasonable amount of time.

I thought I'd post about it so that other people aren't going to do the same thing which would obviously be kind of a shame

I have attached a mockup of what it will look like. Hope you like it!

tuckmobile · 07/01/2009, 12:34 AM

Hi. This would be really handy!

Instead of the alternate functions (in green) taking up screen real estate, how about using the space button, or the orange button(!), to show alternate functions. Like the built-in calc.

Day Twelve · 07/01/2009, 12:46 AM

YES PLEASE!

1337... nice. I caught that, don't worry.

nimer55 · 07/01/2009, 12:49 AM

I ask for one thing...

make it so when i need to find the cos of 34, i can press 34 then cos... Not cos, then 34... It might sound like it doesn't make a difference, but it can save me alot of time... Thank you.

TheMarco · 07/01/2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nimer55

I ask for one thing...

make it so when i need to find the cos of 34, i can press 34 then cos... Not cos, then 34... It might sound like it doesn't make a difference, but it can save me alot of time... Thank you.

All the calculators I've ever used were like that so yes it's definitely gonna be like that

johncc · 07/01/2009, 01:34 AM

But, it's got an '=' key.

Eguy · 07/01/2009, 02:48 AM

This is going to be great!

TheMarco · 07/01/2009, 02:50 AM

Hmm the ones I remember from school had an = key but still worked like that for stuff like sin.

I'm still thinking of maybe make it an RPN calculator or at least have that as an option. But then again maybe that's too geeky for 'joe user'

johncc · 07/01/2009, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMarco

Hmm the ones I remember from school had an = key but still worked like that for stuff like sin.

Yes. Inconsistent isn't it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMarco

I'm still thinking of maybe make it an RPN calculator or at least have that as an option. But then again maybe that's too geeky for 'joe user'

1 vote here for RPN. (Of course.)

palmdoc2005 · 07/01/2009, 04:26 AM

Beautiful design!

starlord II · 07/01/2009, 09:15 AM

I would love to see a RPN calculator also. I have been using post fix calculators since my HP21 some 30 years ago. Right now I am using RPN using Classic.

Shane112358 · 07/01/2009, 09:40 AM

Awesome OP, this is one of my Top 20 desired apps. I do have a couple comments for you that may help.

1) There isn't much point to having a ^2 function that is not a dedicated, one push button. If you want to put in 2^2, you normally hit "2"; "^2" but in your design you would hit "2"; "INV" "^2", the same number of button presses as using the "y^x" function.

2) I would love a DEG-RAD function (or is that the D-G-R button?)

3) To be competitive, you will really need to figure out a way to have multi-line output. At least so you can see the original input expression and then the output, to let users confirm that what they calculated was correct. Not necessarily Ti-89 good but it's got to be there. Just my thought.

TheMarco · 07/01/2009, 01:37 PM

Ok I decided to go RPN. RPN === WIN and most people who need a scientific calculator will probably know how to use it anyway. I myself prefer it too

I'll throw in a bunch of memory registers as well.

Still have unused spots on the keypad so I'm still tinkering with what exact functionality I'll add. Suggestions are more than welcome, both for functionality as well as for key names, colors etc.

Note the reason I'm spending a fair amount of time in fleshing out the UI and functionality is the fact that this is probably more work than the actual coding which isn't all that hard. And of course this thing has to look sexy.

Attached a new mockup.

SirataXero · 07/01/2009, 02:10 PM

Hey TheMarco,

I don't know if this counts for your app or not, but personally, I would LOVE to see graphing capability in this. That would definitely make it a KILLER in my book. I literally use my Treo's PowerOne Graph calculator at least 10 times a day, if not more. It's invaluable to me.

I'm not sure if it's a lot of work or if its possible, but maybe include a button that pops open a card and asks for a function to graph?

Just a suggestion... :P

haloswin2002 · 07/01/2009, 02:18 PM

Was excited until I heard RPN. Definitely not my preference, but the program seems like a good idea. If you get it to look at all like the mockup, you have yourself a winner. Good luck.

Shane112358 · 07/01/2009, 02:26 PM

After looking at my TI-30X, I have a few suggestions.

1) Change "FN" to "2nd"
2) Make ^2 a primary button, and make the x^y it's 2nd function
3) Give the sqrt button have a 2nd function of "Xth root"...if that makes sense.
4) I'm assuming EXP is the same as the EE function (scientific notation). If not, I would add that.
5) I would switch the EXP and +/- buttons
6) Two lines - one for input and one for output
6b) If you have two lines you should add parentheses so people can put in more complicated expressions on one line.

Here is a small pic of the 30XIIS so you know what I mean by two lines.

rboatright · 07/01/2009, 02:44 PM

ok... not a GOOD app and not pretty and not mojo at all, and his mockup is WAY nicer than mine, and the the buttons are a little small for fat fingers, but never-the-less there's a WORKING scientific calculator in http://www.vocshop.com/junk/SciCalc.zip

It is a direct port of a old javascript calculator. It works fine. Nothing fancy. Fancy will come later.

Rick

rboatright · 07/01/2009, 02:44 PM

oh, and it's algebraic NOT NOT NOT rpn.

Rick

jhoff80 · 07/01/2009, 02:47 PM

Good to see something like this getting developed, though I'm not a fan of RPN at all myself.

Keegan99 · 07/01/2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Ok I decided to go RPN. RPN === WIN and most people who need a scientific calculator will probably know how to use it anyway.

Excellent.

RPN, with its simple stack architecture is easier to implement than a postfix calculator that has to keep track of parentheses and order of operations, anyway.

07/01/2009, 12:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
tuckmobile Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 12 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi. This would be really handy! Instead of the alternate functions (in green) taking up screen real estate, how about using the space button, or the orange button(!), to show alternate functions. Like the built-in calc.
	Liked by

07/01/2009, 12:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Day Twelve Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: KC Posts: 21 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 5 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	YES PLEASE! 1337... nice. I caught that, don't worry.
	Liked by

07/01/2009, 12:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
nimer55 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,396 Likes Received: 7 Thanks: 320 Thanked 201 Times in 134 Posts	I ask for one thing... make it so when i need to find the cos of 34, i can press 34 then cos... Not cos, then 34... It might sound like it doesn't make a difference, but it can save me alot of time... Thank you.
	Liked by

07/01/2009, 01:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
johncc Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Adelaide, AU,.... (EU Pre 3, TP 32GB, P100UEU 2.1.0) Posts: 3,910 Likes Received: 87 Thanks: 544 Thanked 453 Times in 331 Posts	But, it's got an '=' key.
	Liked by

07/01/2009, 02:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
Eguy Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: City of Angels Posts: 2,533 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 371 Thanked 175 Times in 132 Posts	This is going to be great! __________________ Palm History: Palm III>IIIc>CLIÉ NR70v>CLIÉ TG50>Tungsten C>Treo 650>Treo 700p>Centro>Pre!! 6/5/09 Phone History: Way too long Sorry Timmy, SERO does not work with the Pre. If you have an iTouch click me.
	Liked by

07/01/2009, 02:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
TheMarco Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sunnyvale CA Posts: 699 Likes Received: 6 Thanks: 19 Thanked 160 Times in 72 Posts	Hmm the ones I remember from school had an = key but still worked like that for stuff like sin. I'm still thinking of maybe make it an RPN calculator or at least have that as an option. But then again maybe that's too geeky for 'joe user'
	Liked by

07/01/2009, 04:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
palmdoc2005 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: http://palmdoc.net Posts: 1,813 Likes Received: 20 Thanks: 295 Thanked 230 Times in 138 Posts	Beautiful design! __________________ Check out my My Medical webOS Apps Featured free apps: DrugView \| Eponyms \| eMed \| Dosecalcfree \| Beeb News
	Liked by

07/01/2009, 09:15 AM	#11 (permalink)
starlord II Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 118 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I would love to see a RPN calculator also. I have been using post fix calculators since my HP21 some 30 years ago. Right now I am using RPN using Classic. __________________ Avigo > PalmIII > PalmIIIEX > Visor > Prism > Prism w/Data module > Treo 300 > Treo 600 > Treo 650 > Treo 700P > Pre
	Liked by

07/01/2009, 09:40 AM	#12 (permalink)
Shane112358 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 127 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 52 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	Awesome OP, this is one of my Top 20 desired apps. I do have a couple comments for you that may help. 1) There isn't much point to having a ^2 function that is not a dedicated, one push button. If you want to put in 2^2, you normally hit "2"; "^2" but in your design you would hit "2"; "INV" "^2", the same number of button presses as using the "y^x" function. 2) I would love a DEG-RAD function (or is that the D-G-R button?) 3) To be competitive, you will really need to figure out a way to have multi-line output. At least so you can see the original input expression and then the output, to let users confirm that what they calculated was correct. Not necessarily Ti-89 good but it's got to be there. Just my thought.
	Liked by

07/01/2009, 02:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
SirataXero Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rhode Island, USA Posts: 1,739 Likes Received: 15 Thanks: 381 Thanked 398 Times in 217 Posts	Hey TheMarco, I don't know if this counts for your app or not, but personally, I would LOVE to see graphing capability in this. That would definitely make it a KILLER in my book. I literally use my Treo's PowerOne Graph calculator at least 10 times a day, if not more. It's invaluable to me. I'm not sure if it's a lot of work or if its possible, but maybe include a button that pops open a card and asks for a function to graph? Just a suggestion... :P
	Liked by

07/01/2009, 02:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
haloswin2002 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 10 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Was excited until I heard RPN. Definitely not my preference, but the program seems like a good idea. If you get it to look at all like the mockup, you have yourself a winner. Good luck.
	Liked by

07/01/2009, 02:44 PM	#17 (permalink)
rboatright Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: topeka, ks Posts: 550 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 4 Thanked 188 Times in 90 Posts	ok... not a GOOD app and not pretty and not mojo at all, and his mockup is WAY nicer than mine, and the the buttons are a little small for fat fingers, but never-the-less there's a WORKING scientific calculator in http://www.vocshop.com/junk/SciCalc.zip It is a direct port of a old javascript calculator. It works fine. Nothing fancy. Fancy will come later. Rick
	Liked by Thanked By: jhoff80

07/01/2009, 02:44 PM	#18 (permalink)
rboatright Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: topeka, ks Posts: 550 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 4 Thanked 188 Times in 90 Posts	oh, and it's algebraic NOT NOT NOT rpn. Rick
	Liked by

07/01/2009, 02:47 PM	#19 (permalink)
jhoff80 Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Boston-area Posts: 6,973 Likes Received: 116 Thanks: 418 Thanked 1,252 Times in 710 Posts	Good to see something like this getting developed, though I'm not a fan of RPN at all myself.
	Liked by

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