ECN No Name Newsletter: January, 1989

The ECN No Name Newsletter is no longer being published. This is an archived issue.

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Spreadsheet Calculator Modified

Edward J. Nieters

ECN has a spreadsheet program called sc available on all machines. This program has now been modified to allow for really big spreadsheets (ie. 512x128 cells) but with considerably less memory required for the average sized sheet. To the user, the program will appear the same, but to the system, it is much more efficient.

To run the program, simply type sc There is a tutorial available by executing the command "G /usr/ecn/sc.tutorial" and reading the instructions. Help screens are also available within the program by hitting the "?" key.

Aside from the memory modification to the code, a sort command was added. Typing a "S" will put the user into the sort mode where they will be prompted for the start row, end row, and the column to be keyed on. Rows can be sorted in ascending or descending order by the values in the column. This command is similar to the Multiplan sort function. For example:

Cell: "<>label; =value; x clear; cOPY; mARK
Database: Get;Put;Merge;Write;T run tbl fmt;Define directory

     A         B         C         D         E         F
0    a
1    1                   2
2
3    z
4

Instructing sc to do a sort on the above spreadsheet based on start row=0, end row=3, sort column=a, ascending order=>, results in the adjusted spreadsheet below.

Cell: "<>label; =value; x clear; cOPY; mARK
Database: Get;Put;Merge;Write;T run tbl fmt;Define directory

     A         B         C         D         E         F
0    1                   2
1    a
2    z
3
4

Along with these ECN modifications, a new release of the basic program itself is being used. The new version (6.1 as opposed to 5.1) has additional math functions, financial functions, a new help command format, and several other nice features. Check sc out at a machine near you!


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