xcalc

xcalc [-st] [-rpn] [-ul] [-j] [-g geometry] [-d display]
This synopsis shows the main command-line options available for launching xcalc.

-st
    Starts xcalc in standard (algebraic) mode. This is the default behavior if neither -st nor -rpn is specified.

-rpn
    Starts xcalc in Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) mode, similar to HP calculators.

-ul
    Uses an underline cursor in the display area instead of the default filled box cursor.

-j
    Enables 'jump' mode, causing the cursor to visually jump to buttons when they are pressed.

-g geometry
    Specifies the initial size and position of the calculator window using standard X geometry syntax (e.g., 80x24+100+100).

-d display
    Specifies the X display server to connect to, overriding the DISPLAY environment variable.

xcalc is a classic graphical calculator application designed for the X Window System. It offers both a traditional scientific (algebraic) mode and a Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) mode, making it versatile for various calculation needs.

Inspired in part by HP calculators, particularly the HP-15C for its RPN functionality, xcalc provides a range of arithmetic operations, trigonometric functions, logarithms, exponentials, and memory functions. It is highly configurable through X resources, allowing users to customize its appearance (fonts, colors) and behavior.

Despite its age, xcalc remains a functional utility for basic and scientific calculations within an X-based environment, often included in standard X.Org installations.

xcalc is an older X Window System application. While functional, it may have a less modern appearance and might not integrate as seamlessly with contemporary desktop environments as newer applications. Its feature set is basic compared to advanced modern calculators, and it relies entirely on the X Window System being available.

A significant feature of xcalc is its extensive configurability via X resources. Users can customize virtually every aspect of its appearance and behavior, including fonts (e.g., XCalc*font), colors (e.g., XCalc*background, XCalc*foreground), key bindings, and initial mode. These settings are typically defined in X resource files (like ~/.Xresources or ~/.Xdefaults) or loaded via xrdb.

xcalc supports two primary operational modes: a standard algebraic mode (default), where expressions are entered infix, and a Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) mode. RPN mode, activated with the -rpn option, allows for stack-based calculations, which can be more efficient for complex sequences of operations.

xcalc has been a part of the core X Window System utilities since its early development. It was created to provide a basic yet functional calculator within the graphical environment provided by X. Maintained as part of the X.Org project, its development has largely followed the evolution of the X Window System itself, serving as a stable and reliable utility for decades.

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