Calculation software (again)
Calculation software (again)
(OP)
I have several equations and all I want to do is enter some data, run the calculations, increment the input, and list the result. Plotting the result would be nice but I suppose I could just copy it into excel.
A previous thread mentioned Mathcad, which is priced out of my reach, and Python, which I haven't a clue about after going to their website. I used to know how to do Visual Basic but apparently that is obsolete now.
What should I do- just bite the bullet and get something like Python? I really don't want to become a programmer (I could probably do the calculations faster by hand, chuckle chuckle).
Thanks for any suggestions. Sorry about my ignorance of computer stuff.
A previous thread mentioned Mathcad, which is priced out of my reach, and Python, which I haven't a clue about after going to their website. I used to know how to do Visual Basic but apparently that is obsolete now.
What should I do- just bite the bullet and get something like Python? I really don't want to become a programmer (I could probably do the calculations faster by hand, chuckle chuckle).
Thanks for any suggestions. Sorry about my ignorance of computer stuff.






RE: Calculation software (again)
Katmar Software
Engineering & Risk Analysis Software
http://katmarsoftware.com
RE: Calculation software (again)
RE: Calculation software (again)
It's a stripped down version of Mathcad; no in-line programming available, but simple indexed loop solver equations can be done in it.
Another option would be to find a copy of miniTKSolver, which used to be a free demo program for TKSolver.
TTFN
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RE: Calculation software (again)
RE: Calculation software (again)
- Steve
RE: Calculation software (again)
Thanks
RE: Calculation software (again)
Cheers
Greg Locock
SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Calculation software (again)
- Steve
RE: Calculation software (again)
Hammers aren't good for everything, but if you want to knock in some nails they are hard to beat.
What's this about VBA being obsolete? VBA is included in all versions of Excel except the current Mac version, and Microsoft have said it will be put back in for the next one. VBA is alive and well, and has many years life left in it.
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: Calculation software (again)
If a hammer doesn't fix it, it's an electrical problem.
RE: Calculation software (again)
" "Hammers aren't good for everything..."
If a hammer doesn't fix it, it's an electrical problem. "
I take it then that an "Electrician's Hammer" would be the ONLY tool that anyone needs to carry around? ;)
http://ww
"Klein Tools
Klein 807-18 Electrician's Hammer - $27.32
- Straight-claw hammer
- Correctly balanced for use in electrical work
I gotta get me one of those!
RE: Calculation software (again)
TTFN
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RE: Calculation software (again)
I use CalcCenter by Wolfram which cost about $700 I think. It's a lite version of Mathematica which takes some dedication to learn. Not cheap but about half the cost of MathCad.
RE: Calculation software (again)
javascript is an easy simple tool for simple to somewhat complex calculations.
it seems to be ignored by engineers (not software engineers, of course)
i have implemented some calculations for regular use at
www.hydrocalc.com for example.
As an example, copy the text below to notepad; save with html extension instead of txt extension; then open the file using any browser by dragging the file from file explorer:
The result using javascript :
<script>
var a=3;
var b=5;
var c=b/a;
document.write(c);
</script>
RE: Calculation software (again)
cheers,
RE: Calculation software (again)
For any kind of sophisticated programming Excel is not sufficient in my opinion. I think all engineers should have at least one other programming language under their belt. I prefer Matlab for complex programming (ie. writing your own finite element program ect.) and for algebraic computations Maple is the ideal choice, although Matlab could be utilized here too.
<<
Sigh.
Can you give me an example of a sophisticated programme that could be tackled in Matlab that could not be done in Excel + VBA, or could be done in Matlab + C or Fortran that could not be done in Excel + C or Fortran?
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: Calculation software (again)
Cheers
Greg Locock
SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Calculation software (again)
RE: Calculation software (again)
cheers,
RE: Calculation software (again)
htt
corus
RE: Calculation software (again)
RE: Calculation software (again)
cheers,
RE: Calculation software (again)
By the way, I have an Excel frame analysis program that works pretty well (although a bit slow for 3D work). I'll tidy it up and post it on the 'net one of these days.
Corus - thanks for the link, looks interesting.
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: Calculation software (again)
Thanks for the eye opener though. I can tell you that my views have changed.
all the best,
RE: Calculation software (again)
rmw
RE: Calculation software (again)
TTFN
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RE: Calculation software (again)
Just my view.
- Steve
RE: Calculation software (again)
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: Calculation software (again)
possible/optimal
Any mathematical problem can be Eexle'd. Should all?
- Steve
RE: Calculation software (again)
In the ideal world, you'd use the program that's most suited for the application, just like you'd use the correct tool for its application. Obviously, we all often use tools, "off-label," simply because it's there, while the correct tool is not, or is not even in our toolbox because it's too specialized to be cost-effective.
TTFN
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RE: Calculation software (again)
http://fchart.com/ees/ees.shtml
Somebody else suggested Maxima in a different thread, an open source program.
http://maxima.sourceforge.net/
Cheers
Greg Locock
SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Calculation software (again)
If you can get at a Linux box, you should have every programming language under the sun, except for exclusive Microsoft stuff, of course.
The best programming language to use for anything is the one you already know. On the rare occasion I need to write an analysis program, I use C, because I have learned it, and because I cannot remember my Fortran from college. I like hacking with computers, but I suspect a lot of people here have better things to do with their time than learn new computer languages.
I have used Perl on occasion because it has fantastic text processing resources.
If you look around, you can even find BASIC.
RE: Calculation software (again)
TTFN
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RE: Calculation software (again)
http://www.hpcalc.org/hp49/pc/emulators/
Of course the screen size is small and the output is tricky.
RE: Calculation software (again)
- Steve
RE: Calculation software (again)
Cheers
Greg Locock
SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.