> >> An it's reverse Polish!
>
> > Why would anyone want that? well, anyone other than a dyslexic Pollock.
> > :-)
> > Seriously though, from the perspective of someone that didn't know they
> > existed until (very) recently, why would RPN be 'better' or 'worse'
that
> > the alternative (algebraic I assume)
>
> Are you mad ? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>

Hmm... I guess I didn't realize this had such a potential to create a
religious war - My apologies to those who get caught in the crossfire.


> RPN is utterly superb. A properly built RPN device is a number processing
> system - not "just" a calculator. An experienced user can do things with
it
> which would require far greater capability on a  non RPN system. It also
> takes less or equal keystrokes to perform any operation, Chained or
repeated
> operations can be quicker.


So, basically there are advocates with worthwhile opinions on both sides of
the debate :-) In the mean time I'll continue to make my choice based on
what I can be most productive with.


> Note that SOME calculators handle algebraic precedence correctly. Does
> yours? Do you know what your calculator will do in a given case? RPN is
> totally consistent. There are no "laws" built into the system. It does
> essentially just what you tell it. IT doesn't decide when to hold off a
> calculation or Perform a  sub calculation - YOU do all the deciding. And
in
> equal or less key strokes.

Well, I recently put my venerable TI-83 plus SE out to pasture in favor of
the new TI-89 titanium, and yes it does handle algebraic precedence
correctly :-)

And really, it's not 'just' a calculator either, it a Motorola 68000
processor running at 12 MHz and a full suite of software development tools
to go with it. Normally it runs a CAS (computer algebra system) akin to
Mathmatica or Maple, but it also runs Super Mario Brothers too  :-)

And apparently it can do IIC out the link port so I can connect it to other
things... (hmm.. PIC as an IIC slave .... :-)

-Denny


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