hp16 and split octal conversion

[Roland57]

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

[Ren]

I didn't know that,
Thanks!

[Sylvain Cote]

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

[J-F Garnier]

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

[cdmackay]

nice! thank you.

[ijabbott]

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