Algebraic HP calculators, hierarchy of operations.

[Vtile]

(04-05-2021 05:50 PM)Rick314 Wrote:  The HP 10bII+ allows setting "Chain" mode (the default, 2 + 3 * 4 = 20) or "Algebraic" mode (2 + 3 * 4 = 14). It is a non-RPN calculator except for specific 2-input functions. 100 INPUT 125 %CH = 25, but 2 INPUT 3 y^x = <pending input, no answer yet>. Also functions + - * / do not work with INPUT, but dDAYS, DATE, nCr, nPr, df,t<>P, INV df,t<>P do work with INPUT. Clear as mud!

I can see where the "chain" mode comes as an some accounting etc, it's a "rolling sum". Input accumulator is lifted to answer accumulator for every operator so actually the expression follows rule "Do bending operation to previous answer" kind of two level rpn stack with obviously infix operator...

That HP11bII+ must be like close to classic semi algebraic (there was real word for this input scheme I have sometimes seen here relating old TIs from 70s) 4-function calculators with a twist? I would assume it do not allow entry as one chunk ie.. '1+2+3' [ENTER or =] resulting answer.

I was more interested from machines which do take input as whole expression until input confirmation. As with that "whole expression as once" -scheme the machine do part of the interpretation of expression, while machine with partial results usually do left the interpretting job to user (user is the master, calc is rather dumb slave and some try to be smart and confuse master)... Fair enough I was not particularly clear of my original wording. I do try to have time tomorrow to use some LATEX and proper editing the first post.