802 Part 4 ½ Family Range, Compatibility, and Evolution
Section 3 ½ Evolution of HP Calculators
Comparing 9800 Series Calculators
|
|
9100A/B |
9810A |
9820A |
9830A |
|
Language |
Reverse Polish |
Reverse Polish |
Algebraic |
BASIC |
|
Keyboard |
Key per function |
Key per function |
Key per function |
Alphanumeric |
|
ROM size (bytes) |
4K |
5K to 11K |
8K to 14K |
14K to 31K |
|
RWM size (bytes) Available to user |
128(A); 256(B) |
908 to 2924 |
1384 to 3432 |
3520 to 7616 |
|
I/O structure |
Special purpose |
General |
General |
General |
|
User definable keys or functions |
None |
Optional—single key subroutine |
Optional— single key subroutine or function with parameters |
Standard—subroutine or function with one parameter |
|
Recording device |
Magnetic card |
Card with cassette optional |
Card with cassette optional |
Cassette standard |
|
Display |
3 register numeric CRT |
3 register numeric LED |
16 character alphanumeric LED |
32 character alphanumeric LED |
|
Primary Printer |
Optional 16 column numeric |
Optional 16 column alphanumeric |
Standard 16 column alphanumeric |
Optional 80 column alphanumeric |
user can select the language features that are required by his particular discipline.
In Model 10, three ROM blocks of up to 2048 bytes each may be added to the calculator. The first block is used to define and implement the functions of a set of 15 keys on the keyboard. The second and third blocks are for control of internal and external peripherals.
In Model 20, three blocks may be added, each controlling one of three sets of ten keys on the keyboard.
In Model 30, eight blocks may be added, and since the Model 30 has an alphanumeric keyboard, no special keys are required. The ROMs are accessed through mnemonics which are entered as a sequence of alphabetic characters.
Different Models for Different Users
Each of the three calculators is general purpose, but each has features which make it more appealing to different sets of users. Model 10’s advantages are its low cost, and its compatibility with the 9100A/B, which provides the basis for an extensive applications program library. For example, the Surveying and Statistics applications packages that were originally developed for the 9100A/B have been updated and expanded to make use of the new features of Model 10.
Its natural algebraic language and its many programming and editing features, such as program flags and relative addressing, make Model 20 ideal for users who want to do their own programming. These features are particularly appealing to research scientists and engineers. The peripheral control capabilities of the Model 20 also make it attractive for use as a controller in instrumentation systems [Nelson and Ricci, 1972].
Its larger memory, its array-variable capability, and its built-in tape cassette make Model 30 appealing to users with large programs and data bases, such as structural engineers and investment analysts. The alphanumeric keyboard, string-variable capability, and page-width printer appeal to users in fields outside the scientific, such as education and business. The programming language of the Model 30 appeals to a large number of users who already know BASIC as a time-sharing language. With an optional Terminal ROM, time-share users can transform the Model 30 into a versatile terminal with local as well as remote computation and storage capability.
With all three calculators, each user can specify a system of optional ROMs, peripherals, and read-write memory size to meet his own needs. This versatility is enhanced by user-definable keys, optional on the Models 10 and 20 and standard on Model 30. All three machines can also be expanded by the user of special machine language programs that can be loaded into read-write memory from a magnetic card or cassette. This capability can be