Calculator (Windows)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 Calculator in Windows Vista in Standard mode |
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| Developed by | Microsoft |
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| Latest release | 6.0.6001.18000 / February 4, 2008 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows |
| Type | Calculator |
| License | MS-EULA |
| Website | Windows Vista Help: Calculator: Frequently asked questions |
Microsoft Calculator is a calculation application included with all versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system.
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[edit] Overview
The Calculator application has a simplified interface, small size, and can perform all of the functions of most four-function or scientific calculators. By default, the application is in the "Standard" mode, and functions as a four-function calculator. More advanced functions are available in "Scientific" mode, including logarithms, numerical base conversions, some logical operators, radian, degree and gradians support as well as simple single-variable statistical functions. It does not provide support for user-defined functions, complex numbers, storage variables for intermediate results (other than the classic accumulator memory of pocket calculators), automated polar-cartesian coordinates conversion, or support two-variables statistics, making it impractical to use with many engineering, physics or high school mathematics tasks. Calculator is not able to do "constant calculations". When a user wants to apply the same constant and operation many times, the second and following calculations can be done without retyping the operation and constant. So one can type: 2*7=[14] 3=[21] 4=[28] etc. Calculator ignores the number typed before the equal sign.
Some versions of Calculator have a way to automate long calculations. Writing a text file in Notepad or another text editor containing a number on the first row, then operators followed by numbers on the next row and pasting this content to calculator's textbox will result in it performing the described calculations. This may not work correctly with all versions of Calculator, and depends on precise text formatting. Also, this sort of "automation" does not work with commands other that the standard arithmetic operators (+, - , /, *), making it only suitable for computing large cumulative sums starting from a file or spreadsheet data.
Calculator has been included with every release of Microsoft Windows, but the user interface and the core feature set, has largely remained unchanged in form and function since Windows 95. The Calculator in Windows 2000 and later Windows NT-based versions uses an arbitrary-precision arithmetic library, replacing the standard IEEE floating point library.[1] It offers infinite precision for basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and 32 digits of precision for advanced operations (square root, transcendental operators).
Many specialized keyboards have a "calculator" key, which launches Calculator by default.
[edit] Optional Calculator replacements
Microsoft has released two other calculator applications to the Microsoft Download Center, both of which offer features not found in the Calculator included with Windows.
Microsoft Calculator Plus - In addition to the 'Standard' and 'Scientific' modes offered by Microsoft Calculator, Calculator Plus also offers a 'Conversion' mode. 'Conversion' mode supports unit conversion and currency conversion. Calculator Plus supports direct update of exchange rates for European currencies from European Central Bank website. Calculator Plus also provides an alternate interface.
Power Calculator - Released as a Windows XP PowerToy. Power Calculator supports graphing. Although the program allows user to adjust the precision of calculations, there are flaws in the implementation. For example, the program produces an erroneous graph for the function sin(πx). It also returns incorrect values for the sine function for a large number of radians. For example, it gives sin(10000) = − 3.3326e + 4265.[citation needed]
[edit] Future
The Windows 7 will contain the modified Calculator. In addition to Standard and Scientific modes it will have Programmer and Statistics modes. In every mode (except Statistics) you can see the history of calculations. On the right of main Calculator panel you can add the panel with Date Calculations, Unit Conversion or Templates that can help you to calculate Gas Mileage or Estimate the Lease, Mortgage or Wage.
