TTrix
Software Design

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

   
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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