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https://github.com/c3d/DB48X-on-DM42.git
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378aa9111a
Add link to [pre-built WASM simulator](https://c3d.github.io/db48x) to make it easy for someone to actually try the simulator. Fixes: #994 Signed-off-by: Christophe de Dinechin <christophe@dinechin.org>
83 lines
4 KiB
Markdown
83 lines
4 KiB
Markdown
# DB48X: A modern implementation of RPL
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The DB48X project intends to rebuild and improve the user experience of the
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HP48 family of calculators, notably their "Reverse Polish Lisp" (RPL)
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language with its rich set of data types and built-in functions, and
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[Lisp-level programming power](http://www.paulgraham.com/avg.html).
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The project in this repository is presently targeting the
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[SwissMicro DM42](https://www.swissmicros.com/product/dm42) and
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[DM32](https://www.swissmicros.com/product/dm42) calculators. It leverages their
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built-in software platform, known as
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[DMCP](https://technical.swissmicros.com/dmcp/doc/DMCP-ifc-html/). There is also
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a simulator that is tested on macOS or Linux, and you can even
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[try it in your browser](http://c3d.github.com/db48x)
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In the long-term, the vision is to be able to port DB48X on a number of
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[different physical calculator platforms](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34pPycq8ia8),
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like the ARM-based
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[HP50 and related machines (HP49, HP48Gii, etc)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_49/50_series),
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and the [HP Prime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_Prime)
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(at least the G1, since the G2 seems a bit more locked down), maybe others.
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The basis for that work can be found in the [DB48X](https://github.com/c3d/db48x) project.
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This project was presented at [FOSDEM 2023][fosdem23] and [FOSDEM 2024][fosdem24]
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[fosdem23]: https://fosdem.org/2023/schedule/event/reversepolishlisp/
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[fosdem24]: https://fosdem.org/2024/schedule/event/fosdem-2024-1990-how-much-math-can-you-fit-in-700k-/
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[](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU5Dg1mPkl8&list=PLz1qkflzABy-Cs1R07zGB8A9K5Yjolmlf "FOSDEM 2024 video")
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## Why name the project DB48X?
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DB stands for "Dave and Bill", who are more commonly known as Hewlett and
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Packard. The order is reversed compared to HP, since they reportedly chose the
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order at random, and it's about time Dave Packard was given preeminence.
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Part of Dave and Bill's great legacy (beyond giving birth to the Silicon Valley)
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is a [legendary series of calculators](https://www.hpmuseum.org).
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The [HP48](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_48_series) remains one of my
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favorites, notably for its rich built-in programming language, known as [Reverse
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Polish Lisp (RPL)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RPL_(programming_language)).
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This project aims at recreating a decent successor to the HP48, at least in
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spirit.
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## State of the project
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This is currently **UNSTABLE** and **INCOMPLETE** software. Please only consider
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installing this if you are a developer and interested in contributing. Or else,
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have a paperclip at hand just in case you need to reset your calculator.
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The detailed current status is described in the [STATUS file](STATUS.md).
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[](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT-I3UlROtA "Self-test demo")
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## How to build this project
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There is a separate document explaining [how to build this project](BUILD.md).
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The simulator includes a test suite, which you should run before submitting
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patches. To run these tests, pass the `-T` option to the simulator, or hit the
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**F12** key in the simulator.
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## Built-in documentation
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The calculator features an extensive [built-in documentation](help/db48x.md)
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that uses a restricted version of [Markdown](https://www.markdownguide.org).
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You access that built-in help by [holding a key down](help/db48x.md#help), or
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using the [`Help` command](doc/commands/system.md#help)
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* [Design overview](help/db48x.md#design-overview)
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* [Keyboard interaction](help/db48x.md#keyboard-interaction)
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* [Soft menus](help/db48x.md#soft-menus)
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## Other documentation
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There is DMCP interface doc in progress see [DMCP IFC doc](http://technical.swissmicros.com/dmcp/doc/DMCP-ifc-html/)
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(or you can download html zip from [doc directory](http://technical.swissmicros.com/dmcp/doc/)).
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The [source code of the `DM42PGM` program](https://github.com/swissmicros/DM42PGM)
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is also quite informative about the capabilities of the DMCP.
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