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Namiko
Divine Knight
Joined: Jun 14, 2005
Posts: 2443
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 Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2005 6:27 pm Post subject: RPN calculators |
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I was just curious if anyone else uses an RPN calculator. RPN stands for "Reverse Polish Notation" and is a little different than normal calculators are. I have an RPN calculator, and it's really nice because nobody else knows how to use it. Two years ago while in an introductory chem course, I started using my dad's old RPN calculator for my homework and found out that it worked faster for me. Now it's hard to use a "normal" calculator. Anyone else?
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Itaque incipet.
All that glitters is not gold but at least it contains free electrons. |
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ed
Odd Duck
Joined: Dec 20, 2004
Age: 65
Posts: 1869
Location: central Massachusetts
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| Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2005 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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RPN calculators rule! If you're doing a complicated formula, and you know how to solve it, they can't be beat.
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How can we outlaw a plant created by a perfect God? |
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polyrhythmia
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Jun 12, 2005
Age: 50
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2005 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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| When I was in college, I used RPN calculators almost exclusively. After graduating and not getting a job in the field I studied, I sold my RPN calc. I sure miss them, but just where can you even get one these days? Right now I am teaching myself to use the Dvorak keyboard layout, and it is still rough after three weeks, but I am confident that I can become faster on it than I was on Qwerty. I suppose after I learn how to type with Dvoark, it will no longer be available. Anyway, RPN rules, or at least used to rule. |
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ed
Odd Duck
Joined: Dec 20, 2004
Age: 65
Posts: 1869
Location: central Massachusetts
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mathogre
Snowy Owl
Joined: Sep 14, 2005
Age: 52
Posts: 140
Location: Oakton, VA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 9:48 am Post subject: |
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Once I learned how to use an RPN calculator there was no turning back. I have two HPs at home (am at work now). Also I run XCalc on my Linux boxen, and I use the -rpn option. 
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Evil Math Ogre Kgh-Ra
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Namiko
Divine Knight
Joined: Jun 14, 2005
Posts: 2443
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| Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 10:48 pm Post subject: |
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I'm glad I'm not alone with my calculator choice. Mine is an HP-33, I think. It can also function in so-called "algebraic" mode, but it's always on RPN. It is a different way of thinking, but now I can hardly use a normal calculator. Normal calculators are for normal people. However, I am not normal. Therefore, normal calculators are not for me. 
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Itaque incipet.
All that glitters is not gold but at least it contains free electrons. |
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burx
Butterfly
Joined: Sep 16, 2005
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:58 am Post subject: |
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Then, you are likely to love Forth as a programming language  It also is RPN style and for those who love structural minimalism. |
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mathogre
Snowy Owl
Joined: Sep 14, 2005
Age: 52
Posts: 140
Location: Oakton, VA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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Update on the calculators: I have an HP 48SX and an HP 49G. I love 'em, though of the two the 48 is probably more logical and better made.
I've never used Forth, but will check into it.
On computer languages, I prefer Awk, Python, and C. Awk is great for streamed data. Often I deal with files in the millions of lines, often text mixed with numbers. Awk is great for that! Python's modules are bloody outstanding, and the data structures are as important in programming as any commands. Unfortunately Python is so bloody f&#*ing slow, hence C. While a bit more onerous to program, C programs just run so fast. Finally, I prefer Linux as a computing environment. It allows my ideas to flow without interruption. And that too is why I like HP calculators. They allow my ideas to flow. 
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Evil Math Ogre Kgh-Ra
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