CalcWorks is a full-featured replacement for Apple's standard Calculator DA. It features a complete set of scientific functions with adjustable display formatting, as well as complete binary math functions with calculations and display in binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal.
CalcWorks is unique among computer-based applications in that it includes special calculation routines that avoid inaccuracies inherent in floating point math. A simple test for this problem is "1.0-0.9-0.1". Most calculators and spreadsheets generate an erroneous non-zero result to this and similar calculations (the problem is not only Mac-based, but occurs on all platforms that use the floating point format). In CalcWorks, addition and subtraction operations in which the operands are expressible in BCD (binary coded decimal, the format used in most hand-held calculators) with no loss of accuracy are carried out using BCD math, which results in greater accuracy, and avoids the cumulative errors of floating point.
CalcWorks' scientific mode features selectable scientific, engineering, and decimal-only notation, as well as automatic display notation, with floating or adjustable fixed decimal point. The binary math modes feature selectable number sign (signed or unsigned) and size (byte, word, or long), and complete bit wise operators with 680x0 condition code indicators.
You can select from simple sequential operation ordering, algebraic ordering, or Reverse Polish Notation (complete HP-standard RPN, with stack roll and last entry functions, as well as a unique stack indicator in the display). There is also a 10 number memory with 5 operations, an optional automatic constant, and up to 50-levels of nested parenthesis. A printable 窶徘aper tape窶 window is available to record and print out your calculations. You can save a tape document to disk and reopen it later to continue your calculations exactly where you left off.
CalcWorks features a fully editable list of physical constants, as well as unit conversions, available at any time from the menubar. You can also enter, convert, and perform calculations directly in degrees/minutes/seconds (angle measurement), minutes/seconds (time), and feet/inches. The minutes/seconds entry mode can also be further subdivided into frames with a selectable number of frames per second, perfect for film and video timing calculations. Similarly, the feet/inches mode can be set to calculate in 16ths, 32nds, or 64ths of an inch increments.
CalcWorks can be configured as a basic 4-function calculator, similar to the Apple Calculator DA. Click the window zoom box at the upper right of the CalcWorks window to toggle between basic and full configurations.
CalcWorks provides two options for reducing the size of the calculator, so you can tuck it away in the corner of the screen while working in another application. The first, minimize, reduces the calculator to a small display-only window, in which you still have quick access to all of CalcWorks' functions from the keyboard, with full cut & paste support. You can also set CalcWorks to display the current time and date while in the background. The second option, iconize, reduces CalcWorks to an icon on the desktop. CalcWorks can be quickly minimized or iconized by clicking on the iconize button on the calculator. You can also set the calculator to automatically launch into the background in iconized state, for launching from the Startup Items folder.
CalcWorks also has a special feature called SwitchBack that allows you to instantly activate the calculator while you are working in another application. You can select any combination of the shift, control, option, and command keys to act as your SwitchBack hotkey. There is also a menu command and command-key you can use to return to the other application. Using these two options, you can quickly and easily switch back and forth between CalcWorks and another application.
Balloon Help is available for the calculator buttons, where each button is identified with the full name of the function and its current key assignment, as well as in the Preferences, Key & Color Setup, and Number Format dialogs.
Keyboard equivalents for all functions are definable, as are the colors and positions of all the buttons, display colors, and calculator background color and pattern.
A major effort was put into the design, appearance, and operation of CalcWorks. Although there are quite a few calculators available for the Mac, CalcWorks is one of the easiest and most fun to use.
