Thanks IR... using the PC Program, but, am encountering some fundamental issues: difficult to enter data; the spreadsheet function works well but you cannot create an array greater than 2 dimensions. You cannot format data, except for extremely simple stuff, like a floating point with two decimals, etc. You cannot even give it a simple format line to align columns of data. I've not been able to get it to call a function or another program from within a program, You cannot clear a screen. There are other frustrations... it's an incredible calculator, but, really crippled for programming.
Should have added that you cannot draw a line from P1(x,y,z) to P2(x,y,z)
Unfortunately, TI isn't exactly known for stellar programming tools. I think they set their price point too high for this product, but that's partly because they probably didn't want to mess up their existing TI-8x market, particularly given that it can supposedly do a passable job of emulating the lower end calculators.
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
Attached is beginning of program... I can use spreadsheets for the input of data, but cannot draw anything... end result, if I don't give up, will be a 3D finite element program. I may end up in outputting the data to a spreadsheet if I cannot fine a manner to format it. I also have to find a manner of calling functions/programs within the body of the code. Included part of the formatting functions I've developed to maybe help.
Just bored, I guess... it will allow me to do a 3D frame analysis on my pocket calculator, rather than on my laptop... Just seeing if it can be done. Maybe the wrong calculator for doing it, but, the calculator is extremely powerful. The *.pdf shows the spreadsheet input and with the combined business, statistics, and algebraic and calculus functions, the calculator is more powerful than excel (with some major limitations in lookup functions, etc.) Mathematically, it's top of the line, but, clunky for programming.
I'll post some code showing how to do an array just to show the level of difficulty; it treats spreadsheet columns as 'List' variables...
Clunky code... there may be an easier way, but I couldn't find one. Arrays can only be two columns, else, you get an error message and if you don't convert the list to a column of one, you get a horizontal matrix with one row, and an error message that the data is incompatible. To augment the columns have to have the same number of rows. Execution is fast, but, I hate workarounds, and I don't know what is lurking:
a:=augment(n_x, n_y) 'join two columns as list (x and y coords)
b:=list▶mat(a, 2) 'convert list to matrix of 2 columns
c:=list▶mat(n_z, 1) 'convert third column list to matrix of 1 column (z coord)
b:=augment(b, c) 'join third column to 2 column matrix
Disp b 'test to see that there are 3 columns in matrix (x, y, and z coords)
Disp b[2, 2] 'display element of matrix; third column of matrix has 0 values
dik - Fair enough. I spent a fair bit of time in the early '80s trying to program an early Casio calculator to play chess, with a limit of about 200 programming operations, and re-entering the program by hand after each re-start. Very nearly got it working too!
Just out of interest, what will your calculator do that that isn't built into Excel?
And returning to engineering apps, one of my big gripes with Excel is that the Android version doesn't provide VBA, or even JavaScript. If Android Excel did have a usable scripting language I'm sure people would come up with (and/or transfer from PC) many apps that really take advantage of being on a highly transportable device, with built in camera and satellite tracking etc.
IDS...
nearly all advanced algebraic, statistical and calculus formulae, including differentiation and integration. You can use the full capacity of the calculator with an excel type background. On top of the formulae you can put in the cells, these can readily be accessed from a math sheet or from the spreadsheet itself. It has 6 main applications: calculator, Graphs, Geometry, Lists and Spreadsheets, Data and Stats, and Notes. These can be combined in any fashion on a page with a maximum of 4 items per page and you can have 99 pages per problem. The calculator is a monster from capability, except programming... it's a cripple it would appear. If you do a tree of the nested menus, in 11 point font, they take up 11 normal pages. took me nearly a week to figure out the menu.
Occasionally you see an algebraic formula on this site asking for a solution... you simply punch the formula into the solver and it spits out the answer... it does algebraic factoring and just too many things.
It's the size of a large cell phone (3-1/2"x7-1/2"x5/8") or really small tablet. I often carry it in my front pants pocket.
My go-to tool is Mathcad, which is pretty much only available on the PC.
If units could be implemented on the nSpire, that might sway me to use it more. But, I'm almost never without my laptop
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
IR... agreed about the units. I have SMathStudio installed on my laptops; it's sort of a little brother work alike for MathCAD... but, also has units. I'm finding that the calculator is coming into its own, but, not as a real programmable device. I've decided to scrap the FEM program for it... it's far too difficult in working around the deficiencies. As a design calculator, however, it's great. The spreadsheet feature, may be its redeeming quality.
