Quick overview or RPN-Enh


go back to Tutorials page
You will learn here how to use the User Interface of RPN-Enh.

The Screen

You can see three main part when you look at the screen of RPN-Enh

The Contextual menu



The stack




The Main menu

The Stack

Nothing special about stack, That's where object are displayed.
Note that we usually call TOS (Top Of Stack) the item which is at position 1:
here 4546 is the TOS.

The contextual menu


This menu change automatically according to the type of the TOS.
If the item on the top of the stack is a list, the menu will display function for lists (like list->..)

You can change yourself this menu by clicking on the tab you want.
" "is the menu for string, { } is the menu for list, [ ] is the menu for array/matrix/vectors..

The Main menu

This menu let you choose functions.
Functions are grouped into serveral menu, you can see each group by clicking on the main menu selector (green button on the left).
Here are the available menus
For each of them, you have a maximum of 10 function available.

The Mode selector

On the upper-right corner.
This is only a DISPLAY mode, it does not affect how the numbers are stored or computed, numbers are always stored and computed with all digits.
It affect how numbers are displayed on the stack, any number, including the ones you have on matrix, on list or complexs. it does not affect numbers you may have into strings, because they are not number anymore, there are just characters.
Please see the detailed mode page to learn more about modes.
From left to right, you have :
Epsilon mode Number are displayed as they are stored : all digits.
Cutted mode Number can be rounded if needed
This is the default mode, quick.
PI mode this heavy mode try to match numbers with rational quotients, or pi or sqrt...
This consume a litle bit of your cpu, but it can be interresting.

The built-in help

First, click on help button , you will now see a new panel.
On this panel, you will have information about the function under you mouse.
Move you mouse onto many function, you will see you help panel updated automaticaly.


This help is splitted in two part :
  • The LEFT part:
    There are informations about stack required for a function.
    here, in the given example, to perform EXP function, you need : a number or a complex
  • The RIGHT part:
    You have some information about hat the function do.


  • Examples :
    functioninline help displayexplanations
    C->XY function need a complex, and gives two numbers
    x^y function need :
    two numbers (two reals) 2^3 gives 8

    or need :
    a complex and a number, ex : (1;1)^2 gives (0;2)
    See interresting feature of x^y explained here

    or need :
    a list and a number, ex {2 3 4}^2 gives {4 9 16}

    The contents of the inline help can be totaly customized, everything is into the file "functions.lst"
    You can makes the changes you want, fix some mistakes and send it back to me.
    You are also wellcome if you want to translate it into you own language, I'll put your name in my contributor list.

    Keyboard Layout

    This is the Key you will need to know when working with RPN-Enh :
    Your keyboard keyRPN-Enh function
    Enter Enter/DUP
    BackSpace DROP
    Right arrow SWAP
    Down Arrow Edit Item (TOS)
    D DUP2
    I 1/x
    N NEG
    TAB List all functions
    Pg.Up change menu (up)
    Pg.Dwn change menu (down)
    CTRL-Pg.Up Roll the whole stack up (STKUP)
    CTRL-Pg.Dwn Roll the whole stack down (STKDWN)



    go back to Tutorials Main Page