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.\" RCSid "$Id: calc.1,v 1.3 2003/12/09 15:59:06 greg Exp $" |
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.TH CALC 1 2/3/95 RADIANCE |
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.SH NAME |
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calc - calculator |
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.SH SYNOPSIS |
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.B calc |
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[ |
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.B file |
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] |
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.SH DESCRIPTION |
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.I Calc |
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is a algebraic calculator designed primarily for |
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interactive use. |
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Each formula definition |
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.I file |
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is read and compiled. |
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The standard input is then read, expressions are evaluated |
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and results are sent to the standard output. |
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If a newline is escaped using a backslash, input is continued |
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on the next line. |
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.PP |
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An expression contains real numbers, variable names, function calls, |
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and the following operators: |
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.PP |
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+ - * / ^ |
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.PP |
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Operators are evaluated left to right, except '^', |
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which is right associative. |
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Exponentiation has the highest precedence; multiplication and |
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division are evaluated before addition and subtraction. |
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Expressions can be grouped with parentheses. |
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Each result is assigned a number, which can be used in future expressions. |
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For example, the expression ($3*10) is the result of the |
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third calculation multiplied by ten. |
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A dollar sign by itself may be used for the previous result. |
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All values are double precision real. |
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.PP |
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In addition, variables and functions can be defined by the |
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user. |
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A variable definition has the form: |
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.PP |
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|
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var = expression ; |
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|
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.PP |
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Any instance of the variable in an expression will be replaced |
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with its definition. |
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A function definition has the form: |
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.PP |
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|
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func(a1, a2, ..) = expression ; |
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|
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.PP |
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The expression can contain instances of the function arguments |
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as well as other variables and functions. |
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Function names can be passed as arguments. |
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Recursive functions can be defined using calls to the defined |
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function or other functions calling the defined function. |
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.PP |
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To define a constant expression, simply replace the equals sign ('=') |
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with a colon (':') in a definition. |
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Constant expressions are evaluated only once, the first time they are used. |
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This avoids repeated evaluation of expressions whose values never change. |
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Ideally, a constant expression contains only numbers and references |
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to previously defined constant expressions and functions. |
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Constant function definitions are are |
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replaced by their value in any expression that uses them with constant |
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arguments. |
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All predefined functions and variables have the constant attribute. |
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Thus, "sin(PI/4)" in an expression would be immediately replaced by ".707108" |
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unless sin() or PI were redefined by the user. |
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(Note that redefining constant expressions is not a recommended practice!)\ |
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.PP |
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A variable or function's definition can be displayed with the '?' |
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command: |
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.PP |
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? name |
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.PP |
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If no name is given, all definitions are printed. |
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The '>' command writes definitions to a file: |
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.PP |
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> file |
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.PP |
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Similarly, the '<' command loads definitions. |
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.PP |
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The following library of predefined functions and variables is provided: |
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.TP 10n |
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.BR PI |
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the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. |
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.TP |
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.BR "if(cond, then, else)" |
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if cond is greater than zero, |
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then is evaluated, otherwise else is evaluated. |
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This function is necessary for recursive definitions. |
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.TP |
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.BR "select(N, a1, a2, ..)" |
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return aN (N is rounded to the nearest integer). |
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This function provides array capabilities. |
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If |
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.I N |
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is zero, the number of available arguments is returned. |
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.TP |
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.BR "rand(x)" |
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compute a random number between 0 and 1 based on x. |
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.TP |
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.BR "floor(x)" |
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return largest integer not greater than x. |
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.TP |
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.BR "ceil(x)" |
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return smallest integer not less than x. |
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.TP |
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.BR "sqrt(x)" |
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return square root of x. |
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.TP |
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.BR "exp(x)" |
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compute e to the power of x (e approx = 2.718281828). |
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.TP |
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.BR "log(x)" |
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compute the logarithm of x to the base e. |
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.TP |
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.BR "log10(x)" |
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compute the logarithm of x to the base 10. |
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.TP |
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.BR "sin(x), cos(x), tan(x)" |
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trigonometric functions. |
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.TP |
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.BR "asin(x), acos(x), atan(x)" |
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inverse trigonometric functions. |
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.TP |
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.BR "atan2(y, x)" |
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inverse tangent of y/x (range -pi to pi). |
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.SH AUTHOR |
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Greg Ward |
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.SH "SEE ALSO" |
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ev(1), rcalc(1), tabfunc(1) |