4 August 2004 18:16:47

Dear NC100 User,
This program is an improved (I hope) Calculator, called CALC14A. 
The required files are in this ZIP file (CALC14A.ZIP), as listed 
below, and should be copied to the NC100:

CALC14A.BBC
CALCHELP.TXT
FORMA.TXT
MINFONT0.BIN
MINFONT1.BIN
MINFONT2.BIN
MINFONT3.BIN
CALCINFO.TXT

Having sent the files, select Yellow-B and RUN"CALC14A.BBC". You 
can rename this program to anything you want, but DON'T rename 
any of the other files.

Press "?" to read the Help File.
Note that "=" is "+", "#" is "multiply", and TAB clears the 
display.
Press STOP to escape from any silly situation.
Press Q Y N to quit.
***************************************************
I only have an NC100. I know nothing about the NC150 or NC200. I 
may be able to adapt it to the NC200 if it needs modifying and if 
there is any interest.

FILE TYPES
For my own convenience I have split BBCBASIC files into 3 types:

1. Programs are always xxx.BBC
These are called (for example) CALC14A.BBC. On the PC, BBCBASIC 
insists on the extension "BBC". If you save a file with SAVE 
"CALC14A" it adds ".BBC" without asking. The NC100 does not need 
".BBC", but I add it because I have programs that can run on 
either machine (the Calculator is NOT one of them) and I didn't 
wish to maintain two identical versions with differing filenames. 
One exception - "AUTO" on the NC100 (which, if present, autoruns 
when Yellow-B is pressed and can function as a Menu) cannot be 
called "AUTO.BBC" - only "AUTO".

2. Text Files are always xxx.TXT
Any file that can be successfully edited and saved has extension 
".TXT". This includes program files that need *EXEC to load them 
into BBCBASIC.

A problem with BBCBASIC is that strings stored in a file end with 
a Carriage Return. If such a file is loaded into any Word 
Processor or Text Editor (such as Notepad or Protext), the 
Carriage Return (CHR$13) is replaced by CHR$13 + CHR$10 (a Line 
Feed is added). When the file is re-saved (which happens 
automatically in NC100 Protext), it is no longer the same file.

An example is the Formula File in the Calculator. Line Feeds are 
added when writing the file, and discarded when reading it. In 
this way, I have ensured that the file can be hand-edited and 
still work correctly.

3. Other files are always xxx.BIN
These are binary files (data files, fonts etc), that are not 
intended to be edited. Loading them into Notepad or Protext and 
re-saving them will almost always corrupt them. This isn't a bug 
or a defect - just a fact.

Additionally, it is better to select Yellow-X/Secret and set 
"Document transfer port and format" to /Protext, NOT to /ASCII. 
This ensures that all characters can be sent from an NC100 to a 
PC, not just the printable ones.

John Blackburn.
