The ultimate Linux or UNIX desktop calculator

Yesterday I was searching for calc under Linux. As usual, I end up using bc - an arbitrary precision calculator language for Linux/UNIX, which is nothing but a command line calculator.

Finally, I found Qalculate!. It is not your regular software replication of the cheapest available calculator :P Qalculate! aims to make full use of the superior interface, power and flexibility of modern desktop computers.

Why do I recommend Qalculate?

It has the expression entry input type, instead of entering each number in a mathematical expression separately, you can directly write the whole expression and later modify it. Just enter an expression as you would write it on paper, press Enter and voila!

In addition, it has tools to increase your efficiency, including a number base conversion dialog and a simple plotting interface.

Installing Qalculate

Debian Linux user simply type following command:

# apt-get install qalculate-kde

ALTERNATIVELY, try GTK version:

# apt-get install qalculate-gtk

RPM based distro or Red Hat/Fedora Linux user download here (see how to configure yum to install third party RPMS).

Type following command to start qalculate:

$ qalculate-kde &

OR

$ qalculate-gtk &

Supported functions

It support following functions:

1. Algebra and Analysis
2. Calculus and Combinatorics
3. Data Sets
4. Date & Time
5. Finance
6. Exponents & Logarithms
7. Geometry
8. Statistics
9. Trigonometry
10. And much more

Units give numbers meaning in the real world. They specify what is measured by the numbers and the scale used. Qalculate! fully incorporates units in calculations and includes all standard SI units as well as many non-standard local units. For example, it has Currency unit for currencies with up-to-date exchange rates.

Overall it is a modern multi-purpose desktop calculator for Linux. It is small and simple to use but with much power and versatility underneath.

See also:

• Qalculate! is easy to use self-explanatory calc, but reading its manual can help you maximize your productivity and discover some maybe unexpected features such as, ability to create and modify your own variables, functions and units directly from the user interface etc.

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