Package calc-2.11.5.8-1016

Calc is a calculator program with arbitrary precision arithmetic. All numbers are represented as fractions with arbitrarily large numerators and denominators which are always reduced to lowest terms. Real or exponential format numbers can be input and are converted to the equivalent fraction. Hex, binary, or octal numbers can be input by using numbers with leading '0x', '0b' or '0' characters. Complex numbers can be input using a trailing 'i', as in '2+3i'. Strings and characters are input by using single or double quotes. Commands are statements in a C-like language, where each input line is treated as the body of a procedure. Thus the command line can contain variable declarations, expressions, labels, conditional tests, and loops. Assignments to any variable name will automatically define that name as a global variable. The other important thing to know is that all non-assignment expressions which are evaluated are automatically printed. Thus, you can evaluate an expression's value by simply typing it in. Many useful built-in mathematical functions are available. Use the 'show builtins' command to list them. You can also define your own functions by using the 'define' keyword, followed by a function declaration very similar to C. Functions which only need to return a simple expression can be defined using an equals sign, as in the example 'define sc(a,b) = a^3 + b^3'. Variables in functions can be defined as either 'global', 'local', or 'static'. Global variables are common to all functions and the command line, whereas local variables are unique to each function level, and are destroyed when the function returns. Static variables are scoped within single input files, or within functions, and are never destroyed. Variables are not typed at definition time, but dynamically change as they are used. So you must supply the correct type of variable to those functions and operators which only work for a subset of types.