Conversion Routine

[SlideRule]

In his three volume publication of Structural Programs for the HP67 programmable calculator, W. L. Ashley (PE) includes a program for FEET-INCHES-SIXTEENTHS arithmetic with a 77 line routine for conversion to (LBL B) and from (LBL A) FEET-DecimalFeet and FEET-INCHES-SixteenthsInches. I developed a similiar but much more compact routine for my Hp calculators when I was employed by an International Bridge Design firm in the early 80's.

The savings in program steps begins with a parallel comparison of the two separate conversion routines, as follows:
[attachment=3706]

which yield a 40 line replacement (if used directly as listed)

BUT

when merged, as follows;
[attachment=3707] error in line 30, see reply #2

yield a 31 line program (less than half the original size).

To use;

Code:


    FIX 4    set display to SEE sixteenths digits

where   FT = Feet
        IN = inches
        in = sixteenths
    with feet left of radix and inches & sixteenths right or radix.

        convert FT.ft to FT.INin  (LBL B)
    1.5208
    GSB B    1.0604    read as 1 foot six and four sixteenths, or one quarter, inches.

        convert FT.INin to FT.ft (LBL A)
    1.0604
    GSB A    1.5208    read as one and five thousand two hundred eight ten-thousanths feet.

The program is of limited utility BUT illustrates one of the many step-saving techniques so important in the early days of handheld programmables. ENJOY!

BEST!
SlideRule

ps: I would include the 77 line program for the Hp67 if the copyright is waived. The algorithm presented is fairly universal among the early RPNs' but has plenty of opportunity for modification / improvement. Press to Test!