mate-calc

Start the calculator

$ mate-calc

$ mate-calc --solve [2 + 5]

mate-calc [OPTIONS]

--display=DISPLAY
    Connects to the specified X display. This is a standard option for graphical applications to control where the application window appears.

--version
    Displays the mate-calc application's version number and then exits.

--help
    Shows a summary of command-line options available for mate-calc and then exits.

--disable-sound
    Prevents the calculator from playing key-press sounds when buttons are clicked within the graphical interface.

--enable-sound
    Enables the calculator's key-press sound feedback. The default behavior might vary based on system settings.

mate-calc is the default calculator application for the MATE Desktop Environment. It provides a comprehensive set of mathematical functions, making it suitable for both basic arithmetic and complex scientific, financial, or programming calculations.

As a fork of the classic GNOME Calculator (gcalctool), it maintains a familiar and intuitive graphical user interface. Users can switch between several modes, including Basic, Advanced, Financial, and Programming, to access specialized functions. The calculator also features integrated unit conversion, allowing seamless conversion between various physical quantities like length, mass, and temperature. Furthermore, it offers currency conversion capabilities, which are updated via an online service. mate-calc supports functions like trigonometry, logarithms, boolean operations, and statistical calculations, making it a powerful tool for students, engineers, and everyday users who prefer a desktop-based calculator.

mate-calc is a graphical application and requires an active X server or Wayland compositor to run. It is not designed for command-line driven calculations like bc(1) or dc(1). Its primary interaction is through its graphical user interface. While it accepts some command-line options for display and sound settings, it does not support passing mathematical expressions or equations for calculation directly via the terminal.

mate-calc primarily operates through a graphical user interface (GUI). Users interact with it by clicking virtual buttons, entering numbers, and selecting functions directly on the calculator window, rather than through command-line inputs. This makes it intuitive for visual users but less suitable for scripting.

The calculator offers various operational modes—Basic, Advanced, Financial, and Programming—each providing a specialized set of functions and a tailored layout to suit different computational needs. Users can easily switch between these modes via the application's menu, adapting the calculator's functionality on the fly.

mate-calc traces its roots to gcalctool, the calculator application originally included in the GNOME 2 desktop environment. When GNOME 3 transitioned to GNOME Shell and deprecated many core GNOME 2 applications, the MATE Desktop Environment was created as a fork to continue the classic GNOME 2 experience. Consequently, gcalctool was forked and renamed mate-calc to serve as the default calculator for the MATE desktop. This lineage ensures that mate-calc retains the familiar interface, functionality, and robustness that users appreciated in its GNOME 2 predecessor, while being actively maintained and integrated within the MATE ecosystem.

gnome-calculator(1), gcalctool(1), bc(1), dc(1), qalculate(1)