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look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
07-08-2015, 04:02 AM
Post: #1
look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
Hi everyone,

I am a new to HP who owns a 50g and a 22s and looking for a smaller device ( compares with 50g) with good programme capacity.

Programme capacity for me is the size of programmable memory and the program commands.

I read the manuals of both devices, it looks like the 34s' program commands are more flexible than the 35s. I like it has more short cut keys, more user flags, more labels, more easy to access registers ( it have local variables ! ).

However, I cannot compare the sizes of programmable memory for both devices. 34s has 927 program steps while 35s has 30k bytes.

Is there any conservation between 34s' prgram steps & 35s' bytes ? I think a roughly ratio ( such as 1 program step = 27 bytes etc ) is good for me to compare.

And it would be nice for your to give me pieces of advice on which device is good for programming.

thanks.

12C, 15C, 15cCE, 19Bii, 20S, 22S, 35S, 39Gii, 42S, 48G, 50G, 97
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07-08-2015, 06:07 AM
Post: #2
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
(07-08-2015 04:02 AM)HKG Wrote:  Hi everyone,

I am a new to HP who owns a 50g and a 22s and looking for a smaller device ( compares with 50g) with good programme capacity.

Programme capacity for me is the size of programmable memory and the program commands.

I read the manuals of both devices, it looks like the 34s' program commands are more flexible than the 35s. I like it has more short cut keys, more user flags, more labels, more easy to access registers ( it have local variables ! ).

However, I cannot compare the sizes of programmable memory for both devices. 34s has 927 program steps while 35s has 30k bytes.

Is there any conservation between 34s' prgram steps & 35s' bytes ? I think a roughly ratio ( such as 1 program step = 27 bytes etc ) is good for me to compare.

And it would be nice for your to give me pieces of advice on which device is good for programming.

thanks.
I think there is something fundamentally wrong in your approach. None of the 2 calculators has USB connector so if your aiming at large programs I would recommend you stick with your 50g.
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07-08-2015, 06:26 AM
Post: #3
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
Hi Tugdual,

Thanks. Yeah, u are right - 50g can handle large program than those 2.

I just want to buy another device , either 34s & 35s. Since I interested in writing programmes on calculator, so I want to make a choice by their programme capacity.

So, Tugdual, any advice ?

Hkg

12C, 15C, 15cCE, 19Bii, 20S, 22S, 35S, 39Gii, 42S, 48G, 50G, 97
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07-08-2015, 07:44 AM
Post: #4
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
(07-08-2015 04:02 AM)HKG Wrote:  Hi everyone,

I am a new to HP who owns a 50g and a 22s and looking for a smaller device ( compares with 50g) with good programme capacity.

Programme capacity for me is the size of programmable memory and the program commands.

I read the manuals of both devices, it looks like the 34s' program commands are more flexible than the 35s. I like it has more short cut keys, more user flags, more labels, more easy to access registers ( it have local variables ! ).

However, I cannot compare the sizes of programmable memory for both devices. 34s has 927 program steps while 35s has 30k bytes.

Is there any conservation between 34s' prgram steps & 35s' bytes ? I think a roughly ratio ( such as 1 program step = 27 bytes etc ) is good for me to compare.

And it would be nice for your to give me pieces of advice on which device is good for programming.

thanks.

1 program step in the WP-34S is 2 bytes of RAM. However, in addition to the program steps in RAM (and 927 steps is a maximum value, with data storage turned right down) it is possible to store programs in the flash memory of the calculator. How much there is of this (several thousand steps) depends on which version of the firmware is installed.

On memory size, the HP-35S wins. Other differences between the two machines are discussed in this post and those that follow it.

You might get more answers asking this question in the not-quite-hp-calculators-but-related forum, which is where most of the WP-34S discussion takes place.

Hope this helps.

Nigel (UK)
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07-08-2015, 07:49 AM (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015 07:50 AM by Didier Lachieze.)
Post: #5
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
(07-08-2015 06:07 AM)Tugdual Wrote:  I think there is something fundamentally wrong in your approach. None of the 2 calculators has USB connector so if your aiming at large programs I would recommend you stick with your 50g.

You can install a USB connector or a serial port connector on the 34s which allows you to upload/download programs.
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07-08-2015, 10:23 AM
Post: #6
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
Thanks for all the advices given to me.

Hope I can make a decision tonight !

12C, 15C, 15cCE, 19Bii, 20S, 22S, 35S, 39Gii, 42S, 48G, 50G, 97
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07-08-2015, 10:23 AM
Post: #7
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
Something else to look at is the availability of functions that you require. If a calculator has many functions you require already built-in, it saves programming space.

I learnt this lesson in the mid-80's when I found I could do more with the 2kb on an HP-28C than the 8kB on a Casio fx-850P.


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07-08-2015, 10:31 AM
Post: #8
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
The 35S has more program steps by a lot.

The 34S has less bugs and more powerful steps.


Pauli
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07-08-2015, 10:41 AM
Post: #9
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
Then, it will be a hard decision for me tonight.

Thanks again to all of you.

12C, 15C, 15cCE, 19Bii, 20S, 22S, 35S, 39Gii, 42S, 48G, 50G, 97
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07-08-2015, 12:41 PM (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015 01:42 PM by Marcio.)
Post: #10
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
(07-08-2015 10:41 AM)HKG Wrote:  Then, it will be a hard decision for me tonight.

Thanks again to all of you.

I suggest you install the emulators and read the manuals.

However, if you want my opinion, get both of them like I did. I particulaly don't like the quality construction of the 34s and its stickers (that are required and can be purchased separately) but it has far more matematical power and accuracy, that is a huge plus, it will probably have everything you need out of the box. Bugs are addressed almost instantly. The overlays will show signs of wear sooner than you think if you are a power user, but they can be easily replaced. It appears to me that the 34s is a bit faster than the 35s, others might have a different opinion. Complex numbers on the 34s are fully implemented. It somehow will require you to know how old HP calculators worked in the past, the learning curve is a bit steep.

The 35s, on the other hand, is certainly a better alternative for everyday use, the quality construction is superior, the keys are bigger and easier to read, the 35s has a retro look and it will probably stay with you for a very long time. It's almost as the same size as the 50g but it's nice to have all functions readily available on the keyboard, not buried in menus. You will need 3rd party programs to make it more functional and also to meet your needs. The bugs will probably not bite you, you have to seek them out really - check the list, just in case. The solver of the 35s is a lot more flexible, you can use it to solve a program or an equation from the equation list. Complex numbers are not fully implemented like they are on the 34s.

Marcio
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07-08-2015, 12:52 PM
Post: #11
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
Post of the day there.

get both of them

Wink

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07-08-2015, 03:09 PM
Post: #12
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
There are two pluses on the 34S over the 35s i didn't see addressed, the alpha keyboard. If you have programs that you don't use often or you get interrupted on a regular basis:
- The programs can have prompted input.
- You can label the output.

Also; I've been surprised by how robust the stick on faceplate has been for me so far.
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07-08-2015, 03:27 PM (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015 03:32 PM by Marcio.)
Post: #13
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
(07-08-2015 03:09 PM)Den Belillo (Martinez Ca.) Wrote:  There are two pluses on the 34S over the 35s i didn't see addressed, the alpha keyboard. If you have programs that you don't use often or you get interrupted on a regular basis:
- The programs can have prompted input.
- You can label the output.

Also; I've been surprised by how robust the stick on faceplate has been for me so far.

I am not entirely sure it is possible to label output on the 35s but the INPUT is certainly an advantage over the 34s, and it is readily available on the keyboard.

One thing I don't like about the 35s also is that you can have only 26 programs stored because they are labeled by one letter only, makes you work a bit harder to squeeze things under one single letter and then you'll have to remember or write down what those programs are supposed to do. The 34s will let you use 3 letters or 2 numbers to identify programs which is also a big plus.
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07-08-2015, 03:53 PM
Post: #14
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
(07-08-2015 12:41 PM)Marcio Wrote:  It appears to me that the 34s is a bit faster than the 35s [...]
Given the specs, the 30b hardware should be *vastly* faster.
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07-08-2015, 04:47 PM (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015 04:49 PM by emece67.)
Post: #15
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
(07-08-2015 07:49 AM)Didier Lachieze Wrote:  
(07-08-2015 06:07 AM)Tugdual Wrote:  I think there is something fundamentally wrong in your approach. None of the 2 calculators has USB connector so if your aiming at large programs I would recommend you stick with your 50g.

You can install a USB connector or a serial port connector on the 34s which allows you to upload/download programs.

And you can develop your programs on a PC using your favorite editor, assemble them, test them within the emulator and then download them to the 34s. I think the 35 does not have such capabilities.

And you can even program it in C.
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07-08-2015, 05:01 PM (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015 05:14 PM by Marcio.)
Post: #16
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
(07-08-2015 04:47 PM)emece67 Wrote:  And you can develop your programs on a PC using your favorite editor, assemble them, test them within the emulator and then download them to the 34s. I think the 35 does not have such capabilities.

And you can even program it in C.

That is true. There is absolutely no I/O on the 35s, which is a major disadvantage, but to compensate for that, it offers plenty of space for programs. The 34s offers far more options in terms of programming, but if you make use of registers, you're left with only 400+ lines available for program steps.

I would get them both!
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07-08-2015, 05:10 PM
Post: #17
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
(07-08-2015 12:52 PM)TASP Wrote:  Post of the day there.

get both of them

Wink

Yes, get both Smile
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07-08-2015, 05:44 PM
Post: #18
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
(07-08-2015 04:02 AM)HKG Wrote:  Is there any conservation between 34s' prgram steps & 35s' bytes ? I think a roughly ratio ( such as 1 program step = 27 bytes etc ) is good for me to compare.

And it would be nice for your to give me pieces of advice on which device is good for programming.

thanks.

The 35s has 999 program steps for each letter of the alphabet so it has almost 26.000 steps!

Tom L

Tom L
Cui bono?
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07-08-2015, 06:59 PM (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015 07:07 PM by Tugdual.)
Post: #19
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
(07-08-2015 06:26 AM)HKG Wrote:  Hi Tugdual,

Thanks. Yeah, u are right - 50g can handle large program than those 2.

I just want to buy another device , either 34s & 35s. Since I interested in writing programmes on calculator, so I want to make a choice by their programme capacity.

So, Tugdual, any advice ?

Hkg
Lots of good comments here already, I'm not going to repeat.
Juts bear in mind one thing. If you seek for occupation during vacation, the 34s will be a fun project but remember that you'll end up with an excellent concept... but a concept. On a practical standpoint a 34s is a calculator with an average keyboard covered with stickers, average case. The 35s has a pretty good keyboard, the case is a bit too big and the screen is inferior to the 34s but all together it is a much better product in my opinion. On a programming standpoint, the 34s is definitely superior to the 35s as Paul mentioned, but bear in mind that it will make the programming slightly more complex.
In short, pick the 34s to feel the passionated inspiration from the original team but if you need something a bit more conventional less for fun and more for practical use, the 35s is the way to go.
Finally one last word: the 50g remains the Hp pinnacle in my opinion so you may disappointed with either calculator ;-)
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07-08-2015, 07:06 PM (This post was last modified: 07-08-2015 07:08 PM by Marcio.)
Post: #20
RE: look for bigger programme capacity, WP34s or HP35s ?
(07-08-2015 05:44 PM)toml_12953 Wrote:  
(07-08-2015 04:02 AM)HKG Wrote:  Is there any conservation between 34s' prgram steps & 35s' bytes ? I think a roughly ratio ( such as 1 program step = 27 bytes etc ) is good for me to compare.
And it would be nice for your to give me pieces of advice on which device is good for programming.
thanks.
The 35s has 999 program steps for each letter of the alphabet so it has almost 26.000 steps!
Tom L

I don't know exactly how to do the math but I suspect you can't have as many program steps. I have several programs on mine, say about 1500 lines total, and those seem to be occupying about 10KB, so 1/3 of available user memory.

(07-08-2015 06:59 PM)Tugdual Wrote:  Lots of good comments here already, I'm not going to repeat.
Juts bear in mind one thing. If you seek for occupation during vacation, the 34s will be a fun project but remember that you'll end up with an excellent concept... but a concept. On a practical standpoint a 34s is a calculator with an average keyboard covered with stickers, average case. The 35s has a pretty good keyboard, the case is a bit too big and the screen is inferior to the 34s but all together it is a much better product in my opinion. On a programming standpoint, the 34s is definitely superior to the 35s as Paul mentioned, but bear in mind that it will make the programming slightly more complex.
In short, pick the 34s to feel the passionated inspiration from the original team but if you need something a bit more conventional less for fun and more for practical use, the 35s is the way to go.
Finally one last word: the 50g remains the Hp pinnacle in my opinion so you may disappointed with either calculator ;-)

Seconded!
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