Program to compare 32sii vs. 42s programming

[Peter Klein]

Regarding the differences between the 32sii and 42s programming, I did some reading and video watching this weekend. Just for fun, I looked up how all my HP calculators handle registers/variables, labels. and came up with the following list. It might be useful to someone, so I'm posting it. Some of this information is already in Steve Simpkin's spreadsheet (thanks, Steve!). This list drills down a bit more. Corrections welcome.

Doing this gave me a lot more perspective on the programming "personality" of these calculators.

Note: In HP-ese, variables have alpha names of one or more characters. Registers are designated by numbers.

*** HP25

Program steps: 49
Storage registers: 8 (0-7).
No labels, GoTO line numbers only.
Everything is global.
No indirection.


*** HP11c
Program steps: 63, more reduces storage registers.
Storage registers: 20, (0-0 and .0-.9).
Labels: 15 numeric 0-9, also five tied to hotkeys A-E in "user mode."
All registers and labels are global.
No GoTO line number.
Indirection register I

*** HP32s, 32Sii, 33s

Program steps: 260
Variables: 26, named only (A-Z), plus stat registers = 33.
Labels: 26, named only, (A-Z).
No GoTO line number.
All variables and labels are global.
Indirection register I, 1-26 points to A-Z , 28-33 to stat registers.
32s(ii): Only ~280 bytes for programs (and equations). Clearing unused variables saves space.
33s (and 35s): ~30K memory for equations, so you might not need many programs.

*** HP42s

Program steps: Up to 7200. Each program has its own “space.”
Storage registers: 25 (default), numbered 00-24, SIZE command can reduce or increase up to 99.
Many more registers can be addressed only indirectly.
Variables: (named, <= 7 chars) created by user. Can be set/viewed/picked via menus.
Menu-based programs are a bit more complex to set up than 32S(ii) model, but programs become easier to use.
Registers and variables are global.
Indirection can be accomplished via a value or name in any variable or register.

Global labels: Named, <=7 chars. Or single letters, but not A-J and a-e. For program names.
Local labels: Numbers, 00-99, or A-J and a-e. For branching within the current program.

*** WP34s

Program steps: 927
Global storage registers: 100 (00-99), number can be reconfigured. 8 more if you repurpose the 8-level stack and probability registers.
Indirection can be accomplished via a value in any register.
Local variables (numbered) and flags can be allocated.

Global labels, named, 1-3 alpha characters, case sensitive.
Local labels, numbered, two digits 00-99 plus hotkeys A-D
Can jump to absolute or relative line numbers.