programmable calculator

Programmable calculators are calculators capable of being programmed much like a computer.

Since the early 1990s, most of these flexible handheld units belong to the class of graphing calculators. Before the mass-manufacture of inexpensive dot-matrix LCD displays, however, programmable calculators usually featured a one-line numeric or alphanumeric display.

For earlier devices, see: History of computing hardware

Calculator programming

Programmable calculators allow the user to write and store programs in the calculator in order to solve difficult problems or automate an elaborate procedure.

A screenshot of the game Space Dementia for the TI-89. Space Dementia was programmed in C

Programming capability appears most commonly (although not exclusively) in graphing calculators, as the larger screen allows multiple lines of source code to be viewed simultaneously (i.e., without having to scroll to the next/previous display line). Originally, calculator programming had to be done in the calculator's own command language, but as calculator hackers discovered ways to bypass the main interface of the calculators and write assembly language programs, calculator companies (particularly Texas Instruments) began to support native-mode programming on their calculator hardware, first revealing the hooks used to enable such code to operate, and later explicitly building in facilities to handle such programs directly from the user interface.

The most common languages used in calculator programming are BASIC-style, mostly used in CASIO and TI calculators (TI-BASIC), Hewlett-Packard RPL, C, [[C++]], and assembly. As these languages are commonly known, many programs written for calculators can be found on the internet. Users can download the programs to a personal computer, and then upload them to the calculator using a specialized link cable or through a memory card. Often these programs can also be run through emulators on the PC.

Commonly available programs for calculators include everything from math/science related problem solvers to arcade-style video games, as well as so-called demos. Much of this code is user-created freeware or even open source, though commercial software, particularly for educational and science/engineering markets, is also available.

See also

• Pocket computer

External links

• Casio Kingdom The Casio calculator resource site
• ticalc.org A large archive of user submitted programs and files for TI Calculators.

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