Bulding a physical calculator from scratch [duplicate]





.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0;
}







5












$begingroup$



This question already has an answer here:




  • How to build a calculator?

    12 answers




As you can probably tell I am relatively new to the electronics scene and I'm rather stuck on a project I'm doing for school.



I am on my second year of an Electrical engineering degree, tasked to do a project. I chose to make a calculator as it seemed like a fun and doable challenge, but I'm stuck at square one with not much of an idea of where to go from here.



A few questions I have are:




  1. Which language should I use for such a project for someone with minimal experience?(mainly python)


  2. How would I go about coding such a program that could be implemented into a physical build?


  3. Where is a good place to purchase the necessary components for the build.



Any thing to help a gal out would be greatly appreciated <3










share|improve this question







New contributor




calccharlie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$



marked as duplicate by Dmitry Grigoryev, W5VO♦ yesterday


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.














  • 2




    $begingroup$
    What hardware are you thinking of using?
    $endgroup$
    – HandyHowie
    yesterday






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    "Building from scratch" does not match using a programming language, imho. What do you want to do? Plug three modules together and write a program? Build functions out of logic gates or transistors? Or something in between?
    $endgroup$
    – JimmyB
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    I'm agreeing with @JimmyB - you're in an EE program, posting on an EE site, but then talking about the project as though it is a software project. Which is it? Do you want to use programmable hardware to write a software calculator, or do you want to use logic hardware to design a calculator circuit?
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday


















5












$begingroup$



This question already has an answer here:




  • How to build a calculator?

    12 answers




As you can probably tell I am relatively new to the electronics scene and I'm rather stuck on a project I'm doing for school.



I am on my second year of an Electrical engineering degree, tasked to do a project. I chose to make a calculator as it seemed like a fun and doable challenge, but I'm stuck at square one with not much of an idea of where to go from here.



A few questions I have are:




  1. Which language should I use for such a project for someone with minimal experience?(mainly python)


  2. How would I go about coding such a program that could be implemented into a physical build?


  3. Where is a good place to purchase the necessary components for the build.



Any thing to help a gal out would be greatly appreciated <3










share|improve this question







New contributor




calccharlie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$



marked as duplicate by Dmitry Grigoryev, W5VO♦ yesterday


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.














  • 2




    $begingroup$
    What hardware are you thinking of using?
    $endgroup$
    – HandyHowie
    yesterday






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    "Building from scratch" does not match using a programming language, imho. What do you want to do? Plug three modules together and write a program? Build functions out of logic gates or transistors? Or something in between?
    $endgroup$
    – JimmyB
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    I'm agreeing with @JimmyB - you're in an EE program, posting on an EE site, but then talking about the project as though it is a software project. Which is it? Do you want to use programmable hardware to write a software calculator, or do you want to use logic hardware to design a calculator circuit?
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday














5












5








5





$begingroup$



This question already has an answer here:




  • How to build a calculator?

    12 answers




As you can probably tell I am relatively new to the electronics scene and I'm rather stuck on a project I'm doing for school.



I am on my second year of an Electrical engineering degree, tasked to do a project. I chose to make a calculator as it seemed like a fun and doable challenge, but I'm stuck at square one with not much of an idea of where to go from here.



A few questions I have are:




  1. Which language should I use for such a project for someone with minimal experience?(mainly python)


  2. How would I go about coding such a program that could be implemented into a physical build?


  3. Where is a good place to purchase the necessary components for the build.



Any thing to help a gal out would be greatly appreciated <3










share|improve this question







New contributor




calccharlie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$





This question already has an answer here:




  • How to build a calculator?

    12 answers




As you can probably tell I am relatively new to the electronics scene and I'm rather stuck on a project I'm doing for school.



I am on my second year of an Electrical engineering degree, tasked to do a project. I chose to make a calculator as it seemed like a fun and doable challenge, but I'm stuck at square one with not much of an idea of where to go from here.



A few questions I have are:




  1. Which language should I use for such a project for someone with minimal experience?(mainly python)


  2. How would I go about coding such a program that could be implemented into a physical build?


  3. Where is a good place to purchase the necessary components for the build.



Any thing to help a gal out would be greatly appreciated <3





This question already has an answer here:




  • How to build a calculator?

    12 answers








programming electrical calculator






share|improve this question







New contributor




calccharlie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







New contributor




calccharlie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question






New contributor




calccharlie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked yesterday









calccharliecalccharlie

343




343




New contributor




calccharlie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





calccharlie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






calccharlie is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




marked as duplicate by Dmitry Grigoryev, W5VO♦ yesterday


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.









marked as duplicate by Dmitry Grigoryev, W5VO♦ yesterday


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.










  • 2




    $begingroup$
    What hardware are you thinking of using?
    $endgroup$
    – HandyHowie
    yesterday






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    "Building from scratch" does not match using a programming language, imho. What do you want to do? Plug three modules together and write a program? Build functions out of logic gates or transistors? Or something in between?
    $endgroup$
    – JimmyB
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    I'm agreeing with @JimmyB - you're in an EE program, posting on an EE site, but then talking about the project as though it is a software project. Which is it? Do you want to use programmable hardware to write a software calculator, or do you want to use logic hardware to design a calculator circuit?
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday














  • 2




    $begingroup$
    What hardware are you thinking of using?
    $endgroup$
    – HandyHowie
    yesterday






  • 4




    $begingroup$
    "Building from scratch" does not match using a programming language, imho. What do you want to do? Plug three modules together and write a program? Build functions out of logic gates or transistors? Or something in between?
    $endgroup$
    – JimmyB
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    I'm agreeing with @JimmyB - you're in an EE program, posting on an EE site, but then talking about the project as though it is a software project. Which is it? Do you want to use programmable hardware to write a software calculator, or do you want to use logic hardware to design a calculator circuit?
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday








2




2




$begingroup$
What hardware are you thinking of using?
$endgroup$
– HandyHowie
yesterday




$begingroup$
What hardware are you thinking of using?
$endgroup$
– HandyHowie
yesterday




4




4




$begingroup$
"Building from scratch" does not match using a programming language, imho. What do you want to do? Plug three modules together and write a program? Build functions out of logic gates or transistors? Or something in between?
$endgroup$
– JimmyB
yesterday




$begingroup$
"Building from scratch" does not match using a programming language, imho. What do you want to do? Plug three modules together and write a program? Build functions out of logic gates or transistors? Or something in between?
$endgroup$
– JimmyB
yesterday












$begingroup$
I'm agreeing with @JimmyB - you're in an EE program, posting on an EE site, but then talking about the project as though it is a software project. Which is it? Do you want to use programmable hardware to write a software calculator, or do you want to use logic hardware to design a calculator circuit?
$endgroup$
– J...
yesterday




$begingroup$
I'm agreeing with @JimmyB - you're in an EE program, posting on an EE site, but then talking about the project as though it is a software project. Which is it? Do you want to use programmable hardware to write a software calculator, or do you want to use logic hardware to design a calculator circuit?
$endgroup$
– J...
yesterday










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















6












$begingroup$

A good beginners platform would be arduino. For language you will need to know some C / C++



Hardware you could either use a plastic matrix keyboard or for more of a challenge use some micro switches on perfboard



Good places to purchase from are farnell, digikey, arrow, or RS to name a few (just google them they should be top of the results) Ebay and amazon can be good for small quantities



Here is an example project you could draw inspiration from
Arduino Calculator






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Thanks a bunch for that example! Super helpful stuff there, man I should have come here earlier...
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    No problem, if ive answered your question id appreciate if you could accept it with the tick :)
    $endgroup$
    – Andy West
    yesterday






  • 5




    $begingroup$
    ...keeping in mind that calculators were never made with micro controllers. This really makes a terrible EE project, to be honest. It's more a programmers solution to the problem. This is conceptually no different from writing a basic calculator app in any programming language, then using some wire to attach a handful of number keys other than the ones on your keyboard to the thing. For an EE project I'd rather see something done with a bit of memory, registers, an ALU - something to demonstrate an understanding of the electronics involved.
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Not that there's anything wrong with a programming project, mind you, but as far as programming projects go, this is pretty weak. Shouldn't take more than an afternoon, even for a beginner.
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I see what you mean @J... and youre right honestly, but I have discussed it with my teacher and he said that ill be fine to get the grade. Bearing in mind that its not just the making but all the pre work that needs to be done as well. According to him, it's rare for people to finish the actual build but people still get the marks for the prep work they've done.
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday



















2












$begingroup$

Maybe you can also try MicroPython, there are mutiple microcontrollers/development boards supported, and you should feel right at home with your previous knowledge of snake power.



That said, Arduino's probably a better choice, with all the libraries and tutorials and projects available. Also, it's using C/C++ with some baked-in libraries, which means you can still gain some reusable knowledge shall you go deeper in the field (most of which still runs on C and sometimes a touch of C++)






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    This is somewhat the route my lecturer advised me to take. Ive never heard of MicroPython but ill have a look. Thanks a million!
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday


















2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes








2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









6












$begingroup$

A good beginners platform would be arduino. For language you will need to know some C / C++



Hardware you could either use a plastic matrix keyboard or for more of a challenge use some micro switches on perfboard



Good places to purchase from are farnell, digikey, arrow, or RS to name a few (just google them they should be top of the results) Ebay and amazon can be good for small quantities



Here is an example project you could draw inspiration from
Arduino Calculator






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Thanks a bunch for that example! Super helpful stuff there, man I should have come here earlier...
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    No problem, if ive answered your question id appreciate if you could accept it with the tick :)
    $endgroup$
    – Andy West
    yesterday






  • 5




    $begingroup$
    ...keeping in mind that calculators were never made with micro controllers. This really makes a terrible EE project, to be honest. It's more a programmers solution to the problem. This is conceptually no different from writing a basic calculator app in any programming language, then using some wire to attach a handful of number keys other than the ones on your keyboard to the thing. For an EE project I'd rather see something done with a bit of memory, registers, an ALU - something to demonstrate an understanding of the electronics involved.
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Not that there's anything wrong with a programming project, mind you, but as far as programming projects go, this is pretty weak. Shouldn't take more than an afternoon, even for a beginner.
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I see what you mean @J... and youre right honestly, but I have discussed it with my teacher and he said that ill be fine to get the grade. Bearing in mind that its not just the making but all the pre work that needs to be done as well. According to him, it's rare for people to finish the actual build but people still get the marks for the prep work they've done.
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday
















6












$begingroup$

A good beginners platform would be arduino. For language you will need to know some C / C++



Hardware you could either use a plastic matrix keyboard or for more of a challenge use some micro switches on perfboard



Good places to purchase from are farnell, digikey, arrow, or RS to name a few (just google them they should be top of the results) Ebay and amazon can be good for small quantities



Here is an example project you could draw inspiration from
Arduino Calculator






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Thanks a bunch for that example! Super helpful stuff there, man I should have come here earlier...
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    No problem, if ive answered your question id appreciate if you could accept it with the tick :)
    $endgroup$
    – Andy West
    yesterday






  • 5




    $begingroup$
    ...keeping in mind that calculators were never made with micro controllers. This really makes a terrible EE project, to be honest. It's more a programmers solution to the problem. This is conceptually no different from writing a basic calculator app in any programming language, then using some wire to attach a handful of number keys other than the ones on your keyboard to the thing. For an EE project I'd rather see something done with a bit of memory, registers, an ALU - something to demonstrate an understanding of the electronics involved.
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Not that there's anything wrong with a programming project, mind you, but as far as programming projects go, this is pretty weak. Shouldn't take more than an afternoon, even for a beginner.
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I see what you mean @J... and youre right honestly, but I have discussed it with my teacher and he said that ill be fine to get the grade. Bearing in mind that its not just the making but all the pre work that needs to be done as well. According to him, it's rare for people to finish the actual build but people still get the marks for the prep work they've done.
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday














6












6








6





$begingroup$

A good beginners platform would be arduino. For language you will need to know some C / C++



Hardware you could either use a plastic matrix keyboard or for more of a challenge use some micro switches on perfboard



Good places to purchase from are farnell, digikey, arrow, or RS to name a few (just google them they should be top of the results) Ebay and amazon can be good for small quantities



Here is an example project you could draw inspiration from
Arduino Calculator






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$



A good beginners platform would be arduino. For language you will need to know some C / C++



Hardware you could either use a plastic matrix keyboard or for more of a challenge use some micro switches on perfboard



Good places to purchase from are farnell, digikey, arrow, or RS to name a few (just google them they should be top of the results) Ebay and amazon can be good for small quantities



Here is an example project you could draw inspiration from
Arduino Calculator







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered yesterday









Andy WestAndy West

386216




386216












  • $begingroup$
    Thanks a bunch for that example! Super helpful stuff there, man I should have come here earlier...
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    No problem, if ive answered your question id appreciate if you could accept it with the tick :)
    $endgroup$
    – Andy West
    yesterday






  • 5




    $begingroup$
    ...keeping in mind that calculators were never made with micro controllers. This really makes a terrible EE project, to be honest. It's more a programmers solution to the problem. This is conceptually no different from writing a basic calculator app in any programming language, then using some wire to attach a handful of number keys other than the ones on your keyboard to the thing. For an EE project I'd rather see something done with a bit of memory, registers, an ALU - something to demonstrate an understanding of the electronics involved.
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Not that there's anything wrong with a programming project, mind you, but as far as programming projects go, this is pretty weak. Shouldn't take more than an afternoon, even for a beginner.
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I see what you mean @J... and youre right honestly, but I have discussed it with my teacher and he said that ill be fine to get the grade. Bearing in mind that its not just the making but all the pre work that needs to be done as well. According to him, it's rare for people to finish the actual build but people still get the marks for the prep work they've done.
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday


















  • $begingroup$
    Thanks a bunch for that example! Super helpful stuff there, man I should have come here earlier...
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday










  • $begingroup$
    No problem, if ive answered your question id appreciate if you could accept it with the tick :)
    $endgroup$
    – Andy West
    yesterday






  • 5




    $begingroup$
    ...keeping in mind that calculators were never made with micro controllers. This really makes a terrible EE project, to be honest. It's more a programmers solution to the problem. This is conceptually no different from writing a basic calculator app in any programming language, then using some wire to attach a handful of number keys other than the ones on your keyboard to the thing. For an EE project I'd rather see something done with a bit of memory, registers, an ALU - something to demonstrate an understanding of the electronics involved.
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Not that there's anything wrong with a programming project, mind you, but as far as programming projects go, this is pretty weak. Shouldn't take more than an afternoon, even for a beginner.
    $endgroup$
    – J...
    yesterday






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    I see what you mean @J... and youre right honestly, but I have discussed it with my teacher and he said that ill be fine to get the grade. Bearing in mind that its not just the making but all the pre work that needs to be done as well. According to him, it's rare for people to finish the actual build but people still get the marks for the prep work they've done.
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday
















$begingroup$
Thanks a bunch for that example! Super helpful stuff there, man I should have come here earlier...
$endgroup$
– calccharlie
yesterday




$begingroup$
Thanks a bunch for that example! Super helpful stuff there, man I should have come here earlier...
$endgroup$
– calccharlie
yesterday












$begingroup$
No problem, if ive answered your question id appreciate if you could accept it with the tick :)
$endgroup$
– Andy West
yesterday




$begingroup$
No problem, if ive answered your question id appreciate if you could accept it with the tick :)
$endgroup$
– Andy West
yesterday




5




5




$begingroup$
...keeping in mind that calculators were never made with micro controllers. This really makes a terrible EE project, to be honest. It's more a programmers solution to the problem. This is conceptually no different from writing a basic calculator app in any programming language, then using some wire to attach a handful of number keys other than the ones on your keyboard to the thing. For an EE project I'd rather see something done with a bit of memory, registers, an ALU - something to demonstrate an understanding of the electronics involved.
$endgroup$
– J...
yesterday




$begingroup$
...keeping in mind that calculators were never made with micro controllers. This really makes a terrible EE project, to be honest. It's more a programmers solution to the problem. This is conceptually no different from writing a basic calculator app in any programming language, then using some wire to attach a handful of number keys other than the ones on your keyboard to the thing. For an EE project I'd rather see something done with a bit of memory, registers, an ALU - something to demonstrate an understanding of the electronics involved.
$endgroup$
– J...
yesterday




1




1




$begingroup$
Not that there's anything wrong with a programming project, mind you, but as far as programming projects go, this is pretty weak. Shouldn't take more than an afternoon, even for a beginner.
$endgroup$
– J...
yesterday




$begingroup$
Not that there's anything wrong with a programming project, mind you, but as far as programming projects go, this is pretty weak. Shouldn't take more than an afternoon, even for a beginner.
$endgroup$
– J...
yesterday




1




1




$begingroup$
I see what you mean @J... and youre right honestly, but I have discussed it with my teacher and he said that ill be fine to get the grade. Bearing in mind that its not just the making but all the pre work that needs to be done as well. According to him, it's rare for people to finish the actual build but people still get the marks for the prep work they've done.
$endgroup$
– calccharlie
yesterday




$begingroup$
I see what you mean @J... and youre right honestly, but I have discussed it with my teacher and he said that ill be fine to get the grade. Bearing in mind that its not just the making but all the pre work that needs to be done as well. According to him, it's rare for people to finish the actual build but people still get the marks for the prep work they've done.
$endgroup$
– calccharlie
yesterday













2












$begingroup$

Maybe you can also try MicroPython, there are mutiple microcontrollers/development boards supported, and you should feel right at home with your previous knowledge of snake power.



That said, Arduino's probably a better choice, with all the libraries and tutorials and projects available. Also, it's using C/C++ with some baked-in libraries, which means you can still gain some reusable knowledge shall you go deeper in the field (most of which still runs on C and sometimes a touch of C++)






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    This is somewhat the route my lecturer advised me to take. Ive never heard of MicroPython but ill have a look. Thanks a million!
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday
















2












$begingroup$

Maybe you can also try MicroPython, there are mutiple microcontrollers/development boards supported, and you should feel right at home with your previous knowledge of snake power.



That said, Arduino's probably a better choice, with all the libraries and tutorials and projects available. Also, it's using C/C++ with some baked-in libraries, which means you can still gain some reusable knowledge shall you go deeper in the field (most of which still runs on C and sometimes a touch of C++)






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    This is somewhat the route my lecturer advised me to take. Ive never heard of MicroPython but ill have a look. Thanks a million!
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday














2












2








2





$begingroup$

Maybe you can also try MicroPython, there are mutiple microcontrollers/development boards supported, and you should feel right at home with your previous knowledge of snake power.



That said, Arduino's probably a better choice, with all the libraries and tutorials and projects available. Also, it's using C/C++ with some baked-in libraries, which means you can still gain some reusable knowledge shall you go deeper in the field (most of which still runs on C and sometimes a touch of C++)






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$



Maybe you can also try MicroPython, there are mutiple microcontrollers/development boards supported, and you should feel right at home with your previous knowledge of snake power.



That said, Arduino's probably a better choice, with all the libraries and tutorials and projects available. Also, it's using C/C++ with some baked-in libraries, which means you can still gain some reusable knowledge shall you go deeper in the field (most of which still runs on C and sometimes a touch of C++)







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered yesterday









Richard the SpacecatRichard the Spacecat

64948




64948












  • $begingroup$
    This is somewhat the route my lecturer advised me to take. Ive never heard of MicroPython but ill have a look. Thanks a million!
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday


















  • $begingroup$
    This is somewhat the route my lecturer advised me to take. Ive never heard of MicroPython but ill have a look. Thanks a million!
    $endgroup$
    – calccharlie
    yesterday
















$begingroup$
This is somewhat the route my lecturer advised me to take. Ive never heard of MicroPython but ill have a look. Thanks a million!
$endgroup$
– calccharlie
yesterday




$begingroup$
This is somewhat the route my lecturer advised me to take. Ive never heard of MicroPython but ill have a look. Thanks a million!
$endgroup$
– calccharlie
yesterday



Popular posts from this blog

Bruad Bilen | Luke uk diar | NawigatsjuunCommonskategorii: BruadCommonskategorii: RunstükenWikiquote: Bruad

Modern approach to radio buttons

A word for worn pool table felt