Another Forum Suggestion

[Matt Agajanian]

Hi all.

Undoubtedly, the 42S is the pinnacle of post-classic HPs (at least I think so).

Adding to MoHPC legendary 67/97 and 41 forums, I suggest adding a 42S Program (which includes maybe tips & tricks) forum.

[rprosperi]

Since the 42S and 41C family programming are so related (> 95% common) and programs for one can generally be easily ported to the other, it makes sense to keep them in a single sub-Forum, since the content contributed for each almost certainly is of interest to users of both models. Also, more sub-forums are historically not seen as an improvement (more areas for readers to have to check) and Dave has resisted adding them unless there is a clear and compelling need.

That said, it might make sense to change then name to "HP-41C and HP-42S Software Library"

What do people think?

[rawi]

rprosperi wrote:

Quote:it might make sense to change then name to "HP-41C and HP-42S Software Library

This makes a lot of sense.

[Eddie W. Shore]

I agree with the addition of the 42S Program library and having it separate from the 41C.

(1) The 41C has a lot of modules that the 42S will not have.

(2) The 42S has several functions the "out of the box" 41C does not, such as random numbers.

[Matt Agajanian]

(10-21-2024 01:17 PM)Eddie W. Shore Wrote:  I agree with the addition of the 42S Program library and having it separate from the 41C.

(1) The 41C has a lot of modules that the 42S will not have.

(2) The 42S has several functions the "out of the box" 41C does not, such as random numbers.

That’s what I was thinking of while I wrote my message. Since the 41 is a subset to the 42, even with the 41’s module library, there’ll be instances where the 42S and 41 programs will be somewhat inconsistent.

[Sylvain Cote]

(10-21-2024 05:00 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  Since the 41 is a subset to the 42, even with the 41’s module library, there’ll be instances where the 42S and 41 programs will be somewhat inconsistent.

Subset ? TMK the HP-42S does not support: synthetic programming, mcode modules, bank switching, plug-in hardware, HP-IL, etc.

[Matt Agajanian]

(10-21-2024 11:55 PM)Sylvain Cote Wrote:  

(10-21-2024 05:00 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  Since the 41 is a subset to the 42, even with the 41’s module library, there’ll be instances where the 42S and 41 programs will be somewhat inconsistent.

Subset ? TMK the HP-42S does not support: synthetic programming, mcode modules, bank switching, plug-in hardware, HP-IL, etc.

Okay. Educate me. In what way does the functions/commands/programming does the 42 have in common with the 41?

[carey]

(10-21-2024 05:00 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  Since the 41 is a subset to the 42, even with the 41’s module library...

While the 41 is a subset of the 42 from the perspective of not including built-in support for integration, complex numbers and matrices, the dozens of 41 modules add too many functions to list that are not found on the 42S, as seen in their documentation files or by asking ChatGPT to list 41 module functions that go beyond those included in the 42S.

[Sylvain Cote]

(10-22-2024 12:06 AM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  

(10-21-2024 11:55 PM)Sylvain Cote Wrote:  Subset ? TMK the HP-42S does not support: synthetic programming, mcode modules, bank switching, plug-in hardware, HP-IL, etc.

Okay. Educate me. In what way does the functions/commands/programming does the 42 have in common with the 41?

The fundamental difference is that the HP-41 is an open system while the HP-42S is a closed system.

The HP-42S is a partial simulation of the HP-41CV done is System RPL.
Out of the box, the HP-42S has a lot more functionality than the HP-41CV but what you buy is what you will ever have.

With the HP-41, you get less when naked but it can be expanded in every possible direction after that.
The HP-41 is really an extendable computer in the form of a calculator.

In the 1980s, I used the HP-41 to control surveying equipment to collect data on the field, then transfer those data to a PC running AutoCAD (with custom AutoLisp programs that I wrote).
Hardware: 41CV+T+XFM/41CX, HP-IL, Ext-I/O, IL/RS232/RAM-drive, Custom Surveying module (FOCAL and MCODE), etc.

In the same time, I did a lot of custom programs to control data acquisition equipment with the HP-41.
Hardware: 41CV+T+XFM/41CX, HP-IL, Ext-I/O, IL/HP-IB, HP-IB Instruments, etc.

This was on top of the possibility of saving/reading programs from external storage (card reader, tape drive, floppy drive, etc) and printing on multiple printer/plotter (thermal, impact, pen plotter, etc.).

edit: typos

[Matt Agajanian]

(10-22-2024 12:12 PM)carey Wrote:  

(10-21-2024 05:00 PM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  Since the 41 is a subset to the 42, even with the 41’s module library...

While the 41 is a subset of the 42 from the perspective of not including built-in support for integration, complex numbers and matrices, the dozens of 41 modules add too many functions to list that are not found on the 42S, as seen in their documentation files or by asking ChatGPT to list 41 module functions that go beyond those included in the 42S.

Thanks for the extra details.

[Matt Agajanian]

(10-22-2024 05:01 PM)Sylvain Cote Wrote:  

(10-22-2024 12:06 AM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  Okay. Educate me. In what way does the functions/commands/programming does the 42 have in common with the 41?

The fundamental difference is that the HP-41 is an open system while the HP-42S is a closed system.

The HP-42S is a partial simulation of the HP-41CV done is System RPL.
Out of the box, the HP-42S has a lot more functionality than the HP-41CV but what you buy is what you will ever have.

With the HP-41, you get less when naked but it can be expanded in every possible direction after that.
The HP-41 is really an extendable computer in the form of a calculator.

In the 1980s, I used the HP-41 to control surveying equipment to collect data on the field, then transfer those data to a PC running AutoCAD (with custom AutoLisp programs that I wrote).
Hardware: 41CV+T+XFM/41CX, HP-IL, Ext-I/O, IL/RS232/RAM-drive, Custom Surveying module (FOCAL and MCODE), etc.

In the same time, I did a lot of custom programs to control data acquisition equipment with the HP-41.
Hardware: 41CV+T+XFM/41CX, HP-IL, Ext-I/O, IL/HP-IB, HP-IB Instruments, etc.

This was on top of the possibility of saving/reading programs from external storage (card reader, tape drive, floppy drive, etc) and printing on multiple printer/plotter (thermal, impact, pen plotter, etc.).

edit: typos

I see your points. Now that I read about your application of the 41 as the base for a complete computer system, my impression of the 41 is significantly altered.

[John Casper]

I second that- HP 41 is a pocket computer with modules,and peripherals.HP 42s is just a scientific calculator.

[aurelio]

(10-22-2024 05:01 PM)Sylvain Cote Wrote:  The fundamental difference is that the HP-41 is an open system while the HP-42S is a closed system.

The HP-42S is a partial simulation of the HP-41CV done is System RPL.
Out of the box, the HP-42S has a lot more functionality than the HP-41CV but what you buy is what you will ever have.

With the HP-41, you get less when naked but it can be expanded in every possible direction after that.
The HP-41 is really an extendable computer in the form of a calculator.

Sylvain thank-you, the best summary I read