Post Reply 
hp16 and split octal conversion
12-01-2021, 01:24 PM
Post: #1
hp16 and split octal conversion
I like to share an interesting finding (maybe it is already well known):

hp16 is able to convert binary - octal - decimal - hex-numbers, e.g.

octal 177777 = FFFF hex

Some companies are using "split octal" representation (e.g. Heath Computer for their old 8-bit machines)

In split octal FFFF hex = 377.377 split octal (each byte is converted separately, the dot is just to indicate the split mode)

another example A9C2 hex = 124702 oct = 251.302 split.octal

Before you write a program on the hp16 to do the conversion, just put a zero between the two bytes, e.g. A9oC2 hex. Conversion to octal gives 251o302, the split octal value (with "o" als the digit zero to separate the two bytes).

Same works for octal to hex.

377o377 octal to hex gives FFoFF

Roland
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
12-01-2021, 02:14 PM
Post: #2
RE: hp16 and split octal conversion
I didn't know that,
Thanks!

10B, 10BII, 12C, 14B, 15C, 16C, 17B, 18C, 19BII, 20b, 22, 29C, 35, 38G, 39G, 41CV, 48G, 97
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
12-01-2021, 07:10 PM
Post: #3
RE: hp16 and split octal conversion
Hello Roland,
Learning something new about a calculator that I have been using almost every day since 1982 is surprising but very nice. Thanks!
Sylvain
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
12-01-2021, 09:34 PM
Post: #4
RE: hp16 and split octal conversion
Nice trick!
Also usable on other machines with base conversion such as the 32S/SII, the 42S or the 41C with Advantage ROM.

It works because 3 hex digits are 12 bits, exactly 4 oct digits.

J-F
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
12-02-2021, 12:59 AM
Post: #5
RE: hp16 and split octal conversion
nice! thank you.

Cambridge, UK
41CL/DM41X 12/15C/16C DM15/16 17B/II/II+ 28S 42S/DM42 32SII 48GX 50g 35s WP34S PrimeG2 WP43S/pilot
Casio, Rockwell 18R
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
12-02-2021, 06:54 PM
Post: #6
RE: hp16 and split octal conversion
I suppose split-octal is better than syllabic octal (or 'slob-octal'), which is basically the same, but without the separators between bytes!

E.g. FFFF hex == 17777 octal == 377.377 split octal == 377377 syllabic (slob) octal

— Ian Abbott
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 




User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)