PC Patrol - Sharpe as a TECH Computer repair and services, Phoenix AZ

Simple, Free Memory Calculator

The other day, I was on a web-quest. After doing our taxes and a few other number-intense actions lately, I decided it was time to find a good desktop calculator. Lots of really great ones are out there, as commercial or shareware programs, but nothing in the free category that I could find easily (Okay, if I missed one, let me know!).

I rummaged through my collection of old software and found my genuine copy of Borland© Delphi 3. If I would have found something else first, I might have used it, but it took just a few hours to put one together that suited my needs to a tee. Delphi has a lot of advantages that are often overlooked... easy, intuitive interface, easy to understand Pascal language base, and the ability to build well behaved, free-standing applications without messing with the user's registry or settings... but that debate is for another day. ;D

The final executable is fully self-contained, fast and tiny by today's standards, a mere 280 kb. Here's what it looks like:

Download the Installer here

This is a very simple,desk-style calculator with two major differences from the basic one included with your OS. First, it keeps a running 'tape' of your session activities so you can instantly check to make sure all entries have been made and not duplicated. Second it allows you to save and return to your work later!

Data Displays:

Running Total: The topmost data window displays the result of your last action. This field is copyable, but not editable.
Current Entry: Below that is the current entry display. This is editable, so if you would rather use the keyboard or a numeric pad, you may do so.
The "Tape": This is the large panel on the right hand side. It displays each entry as made, along with the result of the action. This is how we store and retrieve sessions as well.

Buttons: The numeric and function keys follow the standard calculator layout, with self-identifying captions. Differences from a standard calculator are as follows:

Save: Lets you save the current session to a file name of your choosing.
Load: Recalls a previously loaded session, for review or continued work.
On-Top (arrow-up): Toggles the display mode to keep the calculator on top of your work.
Backspace (<<): Back space for the current entry window.
Help (?): Shows this file in the app window.

The Project

This started as a personal project. After having searched the web in vain for a nice, simple, free calculator with a "tape", I decided to write my own. It was written in Object Pascal and compiled using Delphi 3. My wife saw me using it and wanted a copy, then I showed it to a few friends and all could immediately see the usefulness of such functionality. With that in mind, I offer it to the public as "Free for Personal Use". You can use it, share it with friends, in any way you see fit. For business use, I do request a minimal $10 fee per workstation. NOTE: The unregistered version is fully functional, with no nag screens, counters, etc. The only visible difference is that the unregistered application will have a funky yellow background.

For you developers out there, I am sure you will find some things that can be improved upon, and if the project takes off, I would like to make it a full-blown scientific calculator down the road. If you would like to become involved in the next release, you can get the full source code and be listed as a developer. Just register the application, e-mail me your registration number, describe your skills and intentions, and the source code will be emailed to you.

If using commercially, signing up as a developer, or just want to change the yellow background, use this button to register via PayPal:

Posted by webmaster on Sunday 14/3/10 at 18:42 pm.

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