Algebraic or Reverse Polish?

JeffH · September 03, 2013, 09:28:46 AM

If you don't understand the question best you quietly leave this thread now!

markn · September 03, 2013, 11:13:29 AM

I never got reverse Polish but I can remember a couple of people back in high school who were whizzes on RP calculators.

triplewitch · September 03, 2013, 02:26:02 PM

I've used one for years.-John

robbiegal · September 03, 2013, 04:57:02 PM

ok
i'm leaving

:sportbike:

quietly

Robster · September 03, 2013, 05:53:52 PM

Any chance you can swing by and pick me up.!!!

Unicorn · September 03, 2013, 06:37:11 PM

Lol Robster and RG ......

Robster, RG should be there in around 4 6 + hours

robbiegal · September 03, 2013, 06:44:13 PM

:tease:

true

Mister T · September 03, 2013, 07:37:51 PM

I thought algebraic was called infix.
Anyway, Reverse Polish Notation is great for first year university programming assignments.

Fulvio · September 03, 2013, 08:30:26 PM

Quote from: 'Mister T' pid='26888' dateline='1378202871'Reverse Polish Notation is great for first year university programming assignments.

That's because RPN is the way computers work. You load your variables and only then can you perform an operation on them. Which is all fine and wonderful when dealing with a program.

But when I pick up a calculator, I don't want to think like I do when I'm programming. I just want a quick and dirty answer, and I want it now.

So I'll happily leave RPN to the engineers and wannabe-programmers I reckon.

Mind you, in the interests of full disclosure, I have to admit to building a spreadsheet just to add up a bunch of numbers on more than one occasion... :dodgy:

Goldseeker · September 03, 2013, 11:06:55 PM

What in the devil's name are you lot talking about.

I'm catching the first bus outa here. Do I have to hail the driver or what?

triplewitch · September 03, 2013, 11:43:01 PM

Tried and true for over 30 years (and it looks it!). I wasn't a programmer wannabe. I did program a computer for over 40 years.-John

Fulvio · September 04, 2013, 02:20:05 AM

Quote from: 'Goldseeker' pid='26897' dateline='1378215415'What in the devil's name are you lot talking about.

Goldy, Reverse Polish Notation is when you write notes backwards using a polish sausage. Yeah, I know its a bit high-tech, but you can learn all about it on wikipedia. :angel:

Quote from: 'triplewitch' pid='26899' dateline='1378217581'Tried and true for over 30 years (and it looks it!). I wasn't a programmer wannabe. I did program a computer for over 40 years.-John

I had a 41C, which taught me, among other things, that its a very bad idea to leave a rechargeable device plugged in 24/7. I ended up with an UNchargeable desk calculator with a power cord embedded in the bottom.

markn · September 04, 2013, 09:09:00 AM

Quote from: 'Fulvio' pid='26890' dateline='1378206026'So I'll happily leave RPN to the engineers

Perhaps I mixed in the wrong circles but when I was actually using my engineering degree (1994 through 2007) I can recall exactly no-one using an RP calculator. Before this thread was posted I doubt I had ever thought about RP since I left high school.

Robster · September 04, 2013, 10:49:01 AM

All I have now is a yearning for some sauerkraut to go with the wurst.!! :-/

JeffH · September 04, 2013, 11:03:45 AM

I still have my slide rule from when I did my engineering degree!
But, boy did we latch onto HP calculators when they became affordable. Some other companies dabbled in RPN models but that didn't last long -not a big enough market.
And, HP later started making dual Algebraic and RPN units (had an "=" key)...sacrilege.

I currently own (and regularly use) a 48G+ and a 33S. Now why did HP change key layouts between models? Have to look to find the right key sometimes because locations vary relative to the number pad.
And, these later models have too many features that I never use. I would happily return to an 11C if I could find one that the keyswitches haven't given up the ghost.