ESBCalc(TM) v7.1.0
by ESB Consultancy

Released 18 June 2009

Copyright (c)1998-2009 ESB Consultancy

PO Box 2259
Boulder WA 6432
AUSTRALIA
http://www.esbconsult.com/

ESBCalc Web Page: http://www.esbconsult.com/esbcalc
Support mailto:[e-mail]
NewsServer: news://esb.newsgrouphosting.com
Online Forums: http://esb.newsgrouphosting.com

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/esbglenn

Installation: Run Setup.exe and follow instructions. Includes Uninstaller.

Executable and Setup are now Digitally Signed under "Crowning Star Holding Pty Ltd Trading as ESB Consultancy".

Status: Freeware, freely distributable - see License.txt

History: See Whatsnew.Txt

Portable Version: Registered Users also have access to ESBCalcPort.exe which is a portable version of the program for use on removable/USB hard disks.

Other Products: See ESBProducts.pdf

This is a small Scientific Calculator that supports full precedence. It does not support Exponential Notation, but does include a number of functions (including Trigonometric, Hyperbolic, & Logarithmic - Base 10, Base 2 & Natural), Paper Trail, Clipboard Support, History of results and more.

You can go to options and turn "Prefix Functions" on - this will allow you to enter expressions in a more natural way like many modern calculators do, rather than the "traditional" approach, which is still the default behaviour for ESBCalc. So if you wish to evaluate: Sqrt (4.2) + 6.3

Prefix Functions On (Default): Sqrt 4.3 + 6.3 =

Prefix Functions Off (like Physical Calculators used to be): 4.2 Sqrt + 6.3 =

Where Sqrt is the Square Root Button.

You can also turn Precedence of Operators off, so if you would prefer 5 + 2 * 3 = 21 rather than 11, then this option is for you.

ESBCalc Pro: if you would like a more featured Scientific Calculator with Exponential Notation, enhanced Paper Trail, more customisation, user defined constants, online help and more, then check out ESBCalc Pro - only $19USD - or grab the whole suite of calculators including ESBProgCalc Pro and ESBUnitConv Pro for only $39USD (pricing subject to change).

Note: ESBCalc Pro has many more features and is updated more regularly than the Free version.

More details at:

http://www.esbcalc.com

Send email to [e-mail] if you would like to be on a low traffic announcement mailing list for the ESBCalc range of products.

Products Used
=============
Developed in CodeGear Delphi 2007
http://www.codegear.com/delphi

using

ESBPCS v5:
http://www.esbconsult.com/esbpcs

LMD-Tools
http://www.lmdtools.com/

Glyphs from glyFX
http://www.glyfx.com/

Executable has been ASPack'ed:
http://www.aspack.com/

Installation uses:

Inno Setup
http://www.jrsoftware.org/


Notes on the Calculator
=======================

1. Results are only entered into the History List when the "=" button is pressed. Only the last 10 items are remembered and these are stored in the registry. There is also the option in the History list to clear previous items. The History List only stores displayed values not the internal values.

2. 10^x can be calculated using INV and LOG buttons, or by entering 10 and then using the x^y button.

3. e^x can be calculated using INV and LN buttons, or by pressing the "e" button and then using the x^y button

4. 2^x can be calculated using INV and LG2 buttons, or by entering 2 and then using the x^y button.

5. x^1/y (i.e. the y-th root of x) can be calculated using INV and x^y buttons.

6. Inverse exist for all the Trigonometric functions by using the INV button than one of SIN, COS or TAN buttons.

7. Hyperbolic functions are done by first pressing the HYP button and then one of SIN, COS or TAN buttons.

8. Inverse Hyperbolic Functions are done by pressing INV then HYP (order does not matter so HYP then INV is also okay) then one of SIN, COS or TAN buttons.

9. The Radian/Degree toggle, the number of decimal places and the contents of Memory are saved to the Registry. As is the History. The contents of the Paper Trail are not saved.

10. Using the Thousand's separator is on by default - use the option button next to the Memory display to change this. Copying and pasting results with Thousand's separators may upset some edit fields.

11. Decimal Point and Thousand's separator should be displayed in what ever character the Regional Settings of your MS Windows 9X/NT/2000/XP is setup
for. If you expect to see a ',' for a decimal point but don't then you may still have US (or something similar) settings.

12. When using XP Style Buttons under Windows XP, the colour options for the buttons will be ignored.

13. Last Error (under info button) displays details about the last error that occurred. AC clears this.

14. If you want functions to be evaluated from left to right like some modern calculators do, you will need to turn "Prefix Functions" on. More details above.

Keyboard Shortcuts:

Besides the obvious ones:

/ - same as divide button
^ - same as power (x^y) button
@ - same as the inv power button combination
A - same as AC - All Clear - button
C - same as C - Clear - button
I - same as Invert (1/x) button.
P - same as Pi button.
R - same as Square Root button.
_ - same as change sign button
Delete - same as C - Clear - button

Also hitting Enter/Return is the same as hitting the equals button.


Known Problems
==============

1. Due to the lack of support for Scientific Notation, ESBCalc does sometimes cause "funny" things to happen when number get too large. Check out ESBCalc Pro if you need to play with bigger numbers.

2. ESBCalc may not view correctly when certain "Large Fonts" are used and certain Themes. Try selecting a different Font and/or Theme. We improved on this significantly with v4 and later.

3. When dealing with a large number of digits and having thousands separators on can cause the fields to "overflow". Try adjusting Font and/or Font Size till you find one that you are happy with.

4. When displaying a large number of decimal places, some inaccuracies do result - even when dealing with numbers like Pi and e - since these are computed accurately to about 16/17 digits (not decimal places), and then some minor errors get introduced when converting to string and back again when there are over 15 decimal places. So whilst we do allow up to 18 decimal places for the few instances where it would be useful, better to use far less.

Support
=======

Send your support questions to mailto:[e-mail]

Please let us know of any problems and especially let us know of things you would like to see added.

---
ESB Consultancy mailto:[e-mail]
http://www.esbconsult.com/