In the Beginning
I wrote my first calculator application (see right) on Windows 3.1 back in 1996. It lacked a proper calculation
stack, so there was no order of precedence. Therefore, keying in "5 + 3 × 2 =" would incorrecly give 16,
rather than 11. However, it was only intended to be an exercise in programming for Windows and it was fun.
It sowed the seeds of what would later become DreamCalc, when a few years after, I lost the trusty scientific
calculator I'd had since school. To my dismay, I discovered that input style used by calculators had universally
changed since my schools days. I had grown up with postfix algebraic calculators, but the new fashion was for
prefix input, and I simply could not get used to it
I despaired for a while and even resorted to using the standard Windows calculator. I soon struck upon the crazy
idea, however, that I would write my own calculator application. After all, how hard could it be? Consequently,
after a period of my life characterized by blood, sweat and tears, DreamCalc was born...
Andy Thomas
DreamCalc Author
DreamCalc 1
Although DreamCalc initially began life as a personal project, it seemed only right that I should release
it more widely given the time and energy it had sucked from me.
The first incarnation of DreamCalc appeared in early 2003, and could accept input in both the postfix and
prefix algebraic styles. It also had a "Paper Roll Window" and a limited number of unit conversions and constants.
In comparison to later versions, it was pretty basic, however it successfully mimicked the feel of using a real
calculator.
DreamCalc 2
DreamCalc 2 (known as DreamCalc Pro) appeared late 2003. It boasted a new set of statistical keys and an optional
range of financial functions.
There was also a new list window so that statistical data could be entered easily,
but graphing would have to wait until DC3.
DreamCalc 3
DreamCalc 3 was released in March 2005 and represented a giant leap forward in terms of usuability and feature support.
The interface was substantially improved and DreamCalc now sported RPN input, complex numbers, and a polynomial solver.
The most signficant addition to this release was, however, graphing support—DreamCalc now had separate Chart Window allowing
it to graph functions and plot list data.
Version 3 also saw DreamCalc released in both Professional and "Standard" Edition form. It later evolved further into
three separate Professional, Graphing and Scientific Editions.
DreamCalc 4
DreamCalc was given a rugged new look with the arrival of Windows Vista. Graphing was also substantially improved
over DC3 in terms of features and usuability.
Other new features included an optional row of base-N keys, resizable main window and the ability to annotate the Paper Roll.
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