On Apr 16, 1:45 pm, Jacko <
jackokr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> It does upto seven character variable names, can do hp41 programs too, and has easy access to all the functions I need easy, and simple to program and save the programs, with almost 1 meg of code space. It also does easy fast complex numbers, and the stack is far easier to roll down. I origionally had a hp28s, but it was lost to the stealers. I prefer the 41/42 coding style, and as soon as I found the gto .. command, and how to run the solver,ok!! Deleting the END in a code space seems to merge two or more into a single .END. code space. I wonder if this affects gto number instructions?
>
> Cheers Jacko
Thanks.
I did have some experience wiht the HP-41CV long ago (one professor
had a sadistic streak and made us do a project on programmable
calculator that really should have been done on computer). I'm pretty
sure the HP41 didn't have the capability to create descriptive
(alphabetical) names for variables. It was probably added in the
HP42 – thanks for correcting me on that point!
You guys are apparently not alone in liking the HP42s. Look at what
wikipedia says here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP-42S
this author states:
“this calculator is often regarded as the best ever made in terms of
quality, key stroke feel, ease of programming, and daily usability for
engineers”
That's quite a tribute (best ever made). I don't exactly see what
leads to that kind of extreme praise, but I'm probably not enough of a
calculator connoisseur to be able to appreciate the finer aspects.
From my perspective I think it’s safe to say that HP42s is a simpler
design, easier to learn from the ground up and probably is all that is
ever needed for many people (not all). The HP48 has more features/
capabilities and therefore naturally we expect it requires a little
more complicated interface and language and more time to learn
initially.
Having already invested the time/energy to learn the HP48, it’s an
easy decision for me. If I was starting from scratch, I’m not sure it
would be an easy choice.