(Reprinted from the Boston Computer Society Sinclair Timex User’s Group Newsletter – volume 2, issue 5 – May 1983)
VU-CALC is Sinclair’s spread sheet program. It essentially replaces the accountant’s analysis sheets. It is a table made up of boxes. Each box can contain a number, a label or title, or the result of a formula that is attached to the box. Each box has up to 8 characters
The VU-CALC table is 36 columns by 26 rows, or 936 boxes. The display is a “window” of 3 columns by 9 rows. It is easy to move around and change the location of the window using the arrow keys (5-8)
Forty formulae are allowed on the table. This sounds like a limited number until you understand the powerful use of formulae in VU-CALC. It took me several hours. A formula can be set up in many boxes. A “relative” formula will act as a template and change the boxes if references as the formula is moved around. A single instruction will assign a formula to an entire row or column of boxes.
A formula can be up to 32 characters long. It can be constructed with numbers, box references, parantheses, and four operations:+-*/.
After data, titles, and formulae have been assigned, a calculate instruction is entered. This evaluates all formulae and places the results into boxes where the formulae are attached. The calculation time will vary from a few seconds to about a minute, depending on the complexity of the formulae. The calculation in VU-CALC is done sequentially by row, making it critical that a formula only references boxes above and to the left of the box it is attached to.
STRENGTHS:
1. Economical (summer special at Gladstone is under $10)
2. Reliable. Program loaded on first try and ran reliably. I found no bugs in the program – it is mostly machine language.
3. Easy to use. Most instructions are single keystrokes that work logically and quickly. It took me a while to get used to the instructions. There is good error trapping. I have never had to start over.
4. Fast. The instructions, including calculate, work quickly. The performance is surprising. Entering your data and titles can take quite a while, but that is a function of the amount of information entered.
5. Good utility. The program can be put to practical use.
6. Powerful. VU-CALC is surprisingly powerful, especially in its use of the respective formulae.
WEAKNESSES:
1. Small window-would like to see more of the table at one time. This is limited by the display size. (ed. note 32 x 22)
2. Table flexibility. Once data is set, it cannot be easily moved around the table. For example, data in rows or columns cannot be exchanged.
3. Titles.The window cannot be made to keep titles over columns. It is sometimes difficult to remember position of the screen. Row and column numbers are maintained as reference/location indicators.
4. Left Justification. I am used to seeing numbers with right justification, centered on the decimal point.
SUMMARY
VU-CALC is an excellent purchase and I recommend it. Three actions should be taken to minimize the weaknesses and maximize the performance
1. Carefully draw out the table before entering data and formulae.
2. Regularly repeat title boxes to keep a reference on the screen.
3. Work at fully understanding how formulae are used in developing the first serious work application.