Flox Calculator
Welcome To Flox Calc
Flox Calc is an advanced, script driven scientific calculator. It allows the user to write simple text based scripts. These can draw graphs, construct bar charts and perform many types of scientific, engineering or economic calculations. Flox Calc is a free download and unzips to an exe file that will run on any windows based PC. There is no need for installation as it runs as a standalone app and will run from any storage device. A text file is also included containing dozens of scripts. These can be used as examples and templates for your own calculations. Ease of use is a priority and the learning curve is short. The screenshots below give an idea of its capabilities.
Introduction
As can be seen, the basic idea is to write a script into the right hand panel then click the appropriate button to run the script (in this case the [Intro] button). The name and positon of the button is dictated by the name and number of the script. For example, "User: 83: Half Life:" would place a script on page 8 position 3 with a button reading "Half Life" . A single script file may contain hundreds of scripts each with its own button to access it. Scripts are plain text files and can be edited with most editors.
The structure of a script file is simple: Once opened, the buttons are immediately populated with whatever names you give them. A forward slash in a name allows a button to show two lines of text. A color after a name changes the button to that color. Scripts can be listed in any order - but it makes sense to list them in order. A script runs from a User: command to an End: command, executing everything between. Comments show in blue and consist of any text not terminated by a colon. For example, the included script has the following structure:
User: 0: Intro:
Body of script 0
End:
User: 1: Polynomial/Fixed Scale:
Body of script 1
End:
User: 2: Functions:
Body of Script 2
End:
and so on
Observe that scripts have a self-modifying capability allowing us to alter a calculation or graph with each button click. In the above script, the parameter "b" is increased by 0.1 with each click, this causes the graph to redraw to reflect the new value. This also allows for animation. Click [Animate] and the graph will smoothly change shape to show how the "b" parameter alters the the graph. We can stop animation any time by clicking [Animate] again. Also we can run an animation back by right clicking [Animate].
Fixed Scale Types
The next script shows a type of scale that is very useful for graphs requiring a fixed aspect ratio. If we want circles to appear circular, then use use "ScaleF". Another advantage is it allows a fine grid to be employed. In the example below the fine grid is spaced every four pixels, using "ScaleF: 4:".
Typically, scripts are short. The script for the polynomial is shown in its entirety in the text panel.
Special Functions
Many functions are built in, some unique to this calculator - see below. Notice, in particular the novap function giving the relativistic bell curve for interstellar travel. It even includes a coast period for greater realism. On a later page, we can even plan a trip to a distant galaxy. Fancy a holiday in Andromeda? Maybe somewhere more exotic - perhaps the strange Sombrero Galaxy!
Text Output
There are many options for outputing text. Text can be placed anywhere on our panel, output the value of any variable and be organized into rows and columns. Below is a sample showing some capabilities.
Relax, Have Some Fun!
We can also have fun. Below is a short script that creates "Wings". Note the pink colorized button created simply by adding that color to the button name.
Graphing Sums and Products
Graphing sums, alternating sums and products are all supported using the Gs, Ga and Gm commands. Notice the artifact of "Gibbs Ringing" obtained when Fourier series are used to approximate discontinuous functions - in this case a square wave.
Parametric Equations
Parametric equations are fully supported. Below is a script when animated traces out a classic parametric figure - the hypocycloid.
Parametric equations can yield highly complex patterns. The script below shows a typical pattern that is only one of many. The one shown belongs to a family known as hypotrochoids. Clicking [Animate] would reveal thousands of bizzare patterns.
Bar Graphs
Bar graphs are supported and can be given a professional look. The one shown is similar in style to those by the Uk's Office of National Statistics. Might even be a slight improvement!
Economic Applications
Floxcalc started life as a program to help solve problems in trade theory. The next script shows it solving a simple Ricardian model of trade. Given a consumer preferences(UtA, UtB), labour allocation(LfT) and production efficiencies(TeA, TeB) for both countries, we can calculate both the autarky(no trade) outcomes as well as the post trade outcome. (Preferences are Cobb Douglas but the program also supports more general CES preferences).
The next script generates the combined production possibility frontiers for two countries in an HO (Heckscher Ohlin) model. Of course, for full solutions in these more complex trade scenarios download the trade simulator on the numerical trade simulation page.
Interstellar Travel
Finally, there is a page of scripts showing interstellar travel scenarios. Fed up with Earth? Well plan a trip to a distant star with a promising exoplanet. There is even a script allowing us to plan a trip to a distant galaxy. Cryonic storage is a must for this type of mission so plan on being frozen for the entire trip. Personally, the Milky Way is so last year - Hoag's object looks interesting . See you there!
Download
Please Note: The software is in early beta release. It contains NO advertising, scamware, unwanted programs, cookies or other junk often associated with freeware. The author asks only that copyright be respected and the program not be distributed.. The file unzips to two files: a small exe file that will run from any location including a usb drive and a text file containing scripts. This program is being continuously updated and users are advised to revisit this page to check for upgrades. Any feedback is much appreciated. Please contact me at floxonit@gmail.com for any suggestions as to how the program may be improved.