11S047       AnalytiCalc (PortaCalc): A 3D Spreadsheet/Database System
 Version: V22.3B, March 1988
 
Author: Glenn C. Everhart, Ph.D.
 
Operating System: AMIGA DOS, IAS, MS/DOS, MicroVMS, RSX-11M,
RSX-11M-PLUS, VAX/VMS  Source Language: FORTRAN 77, MACRO-11, MACRO-32
Keywords: Business Applications, Data Base Management, Mathematical,
PortaCalc, Spreadsheet
 
Abstract: AnalytiCalc is a powerful three dimensional
spreadsheet/database and analysis system with easy user
extensibility designed to outperform most any commercial
package available, running on PDP-11 systems able to support
the F4P compiler, or VAX systems, needing the VAX FORTRAN
compiler to compile.  Several terminals are supported,
including the VT100 series, VT52, Datamedia Colorscan 10 and
Elite 1500, Televideo 925, and ANSI color terminals.  A full
DTR-32 interface is supported on VAX and a command mode
structure similar to Visicalc or other micro spreadsheets is
available as an option.  Address range maxima are 32,000
rows and 32,000 columns on VAX, 10,000 by 10,000 on PDP-11
(using software virtual memory on PDP-11).   A mode for "connecting"
arbitrary VAX applications to AnalytiCalc is with simple
syntax and numerous supporting new string functions.
 
The program is designed for power, and to be easily portable
to other systems supporting FORTRAN, with peculiarities used
documented, and its manual is designed to be turned into a
system HELP file so that it can be read online.  Tutorials
are supplied as well.
 
A data management system interface is built in, permitting
spreadsheets to access a potentially unlimited number of
files and records or parts of records in those files for user
defined functions, numbers, formulas, text, or whatnot.  In
fact, it has many of the attributes of a language.  Every
cell may contain far more complex formulas than most
commercially sold programs, and indeed may be a complete
program with the ability to execute most command-level
spreadsheet commands, though with minor restrictions.
 
Merging of multiple sheets, matrix algebra, general function
solving (a la TK!SOLVER, though with a less polished user
interface), and easy document load/unload make this
spreadsheet very significantly more powerful than all but
the most elaborate mainframe packages, and infinitely easier
to customize.  User commands may be entered via keyword or
function key and are provided with a comprehensive HELP
system permitting users to individually tailor commands to
their needs.
 
A powerful text integration function permits integration of
word processing files with reports, permitting use of
AnalytiCalc (PortaCalc) to integrate sections of reports
which are edited with any editor.  It also simplifies
inserting text from external files flexibly over null cells
of the spreadsheet.
 
This package runs on PDP-11, or on VAX in NATIVE MODE.
Versions have been built for RSX-11M, RSX-11M-PLUS, VMS, and
RSTS, though supplied build files are for the RSX and VMS
versions only.  Speed of the VAX versions is higher than
many of the expensive commercial VAX versions.  An AMIGA and
a MS/DOS version of AnalytiCalc are presented here also.
 
Several new trig functions and some bulletproofing
corrections have been added to this version, plus some new
code speedups.
 
The ability to call UNMODIFIED FORTRAN callable subroutines
(plus a few hundred example routines) has been added, and
performance for really huge VAX sheets has been improved via
better hashing methods.  It is now trivial to add almost any
desired functionality to AnalytiCalc.
 
SPECIAL HARDWARE:  On VAX, screen-independent cursor
routines are used for screen addressing normally.  On
PDP-11, the software must be built for the appropriate
terminal.  Versions of the UVT100 subroutine for VT100, VT52,
Datamedia Elite, and several other types of terminals including VT100
with
Advanced Video and Colorscan 10 are supplied, with command
files for most combinations.  The VT52 versions will show
what the minimum requirements are for control.  Most any
terminal can be easily interfaced to the package by editing
one of the UVT100 routines to correspond to the terminal's
control sequences, provided direct cursor addressing is supported.
 
Release Notes are distributed with each order.
 
Notes: VAX/VMS users see DECUS No. V-SP-24.
 
Changes and Improvements: Faster VAX, Amiga versions.  VAX version can
now call any unmodified FORTRAN
callable subroutines.
 
Media (Service Charge Code): 2400' Magnetic Tape (PC)  Format: RMSBCK,
TK50 Tape Cartridge (TC)  Format: RMSBCK