Building WP 34S / 31S with Docker

[FreeBlues]

(03-27-2024 11:51 AM)Nigel (UK) Wrote:  

(03-24-2024 04:43 PM)FreeBlues Wrote:  Today, I wanted to find out if anyone has created a WP34S-related repository on GitHub, and then I stumbled upon your project just a few hours ago before reading this article. To my surprise, I saw that the author's modification time was two hours ago.

For the past few days, I have been searching for discussions about WP34S on the forums, and I noticed that the closer it gets to today, the fewer related discussions there are. This made me worry that this excellent project would slowly sink into the vast ocean of the internet filled with countless new information. I'm glad to see that there are still people activating it in various ways.

If we live on through our children, then the WP34S is very much alive! Both the WP43 and C47 calculator projects for the SwissMicros DM42 hardware used the WP34S code as their starting point; there is also a port of the WP34S itself to the same hardware (with a few added features) so the fact that the original hardware is no longer manufactured is not a disaster.

The WP34S Sourceforge repository is still updated with any bug fixes that turn up (up to release 3924 now), and the code still compiles, both for the calculator and the Windows emulator. A couple of new features were added in the past six months - the ability to enter more than 12 digits in integer modes, so long as the 64-bit limit is not exceeded, and an improved algorithm for converting decimals to fractions. There is a limit to what can be added as flash space is limited, and it's important to leave room for user programs. I think that the small number of bug fixes and updates reflects not a lack of interest, but the success of the project. There really isn't that much to add or to fix!

It is good to see this Docker image for building the firmware. I hope more people will be encouraged to experiment.

Nigel (UK)

Indeed, the code of WP34S serves as a solid foundation for C47, and it continues its lifecycle in this manner. However, what I would like to express is that as a mature project that has been iterated over 3924+11 times, it can not only serve as the basis for other projects but also play a greater role on its own.
I am delighted by your participation and guidance, which has inspired me to try it out for myself. I then proceeded to flash the firmware, set up the environment to compile the firmware, and resolved a few minor issues. Ultimately, I successfully flashed the firmware, transforming an HP-30B into the legendary WP34S (something I never dared to imagine I could accomplish), and also successfully compiled the firmware. These were all very enjoyable attempts.
Recently, I have been contemplating what I could do to attract more people's interest in this project. My own journey began with the Chinese version of the WP34S user manual, which sparked my various attempts.