MAcalc Pro Programming

MAcalc Pro functionality can be expanded with additional function libraries.

Each library can have up to 33 new functions each assigned to it's own key in the calculator keypad.
Functions are written in plain text files and you can use MAcalc's own editor or a PC or Mac to edit new functions and transfer them to MAcalc.

Libraries are saved in /CustomFunctions/yourlibraryfolder. In the folder, a file named customfuncs.plist holds information for each key. Functions for each key are saved on separate files.
customfuncs.plist file is created my MAcalc when you use the builtin text editor to define new functions. If you want to write your funtions on your PC/Mac and transfer them to MAcalc, you have to create a customfuncs.plist file yourself

Programming overview

Welcome to the slideshow! If you see this then your browser doesn't support the text-changing features of the slideshow; however, all the text should appear below.

Click on the image to view it in full size.

MAcalc functions use a simple procedural syntax and are interpreted by a builtin "Lua" engine.

Single argument function


function f1(x)
   return x + 1
end
function f2(x)
   return x + 2
end
function main(x)
     if (x > 5.0) then
        return f1(x)
     else
        return f2(x)
     end
end

Double argument function


function main(x,y)
     return max(x,y)
end

A real life example (add angle in degrees minutes seconds)


-- convert Degrees Minutes Seconds (DD.MMSS) to decimal
function toDecimal(x)
  local d, tmp = modf(x)
  local m, s = modf(tmp*100)
  local r = d + (m * 1/60) + (s * 100/3600)
  return r
end

-- convert decimal degrees to DMS
function toDMS(x)
  local d = floor(x)
  local mt = (x - d) * 60 
  local m = floor(mt)
  local st = mt - m
  local s = st * 60
  return d + m/100 + s/10000
end

-- Add DMS (input format DD.MMSS)
function lua_main(x,y)
    return toDMS( toDecimal(x) + toDecimal(y) )
end

customfuncs.plist


<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" 
"http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
	<key>FormatVersion</key>
	<integer>1</integer>

        <!--
        keyPRC 
            P - page
            R - row
            C - column 
        -->

	<key>keyPRC</key>
	<array>
		<string>key_label</string>
		<string>function_filename</string>
		<string>entry_point</string>
		<integer>parameters_in</integer>
		<integer>parameters_out</integer>
	</array>

	<key>key001</key>
	<array>
		<string>max</string>
		<string>func001.lua</string>
		<string>main</string>
		<integer>2</integer>
		<integer>1</integer>
	</array>

</dict>
</plist>

MAcalc Pro Lua extensions

macalc.sto(index,X)
store X in a MAcalc storage register at position 'index'
macalc.rcl(index)
retrieve a value from a MAcalc storage register at position 'index'

Lua fuctions available in MAcalc Pro

string. YES
table. YES
math. YES (don't use math. prefix, MAcalc will insert it for you)
package. NO
io. NO
os. NO
debug. NO
file: NO

For information on Lua please see: www.lua.org

Lua Reference Manual: Lua 5.1