TI-59
Encyclopedia
The TI-59 was an early programmable calculator
, manufactured by Texas Instruments
from 1977. It was the successor to the TI SR-52, quadrupling the number of "program steps" of storage, and adding "ROM Program Modules" (an insertable ROM chip, capable of holding 5000 program steps) and a magnetic card reader for external storage. It was one of the first LED
calculators with the capability and flexibility to take on many real-world calculation challenges, and quickly became popular with professionals in many fields.
The TI-58, and later TI-58C, were low-end versions of the TI-59, lacking the magnetic card reader and having half the memory, but otherwise identical. Although the TI-58C used a different chip than the TI-58, the technical data remained identical. The "C" in a TI (or HP) model name indicated that the calculator had a constant memory (or continuous memory, respectively) allowing retention of programs and data when turned off.
The calculator could be powered from an external adapter
or from its internal NiCd
rechargeable battery pack.
The red LED display showed 10 decimal digits of precision.
It was also possible to activate any of the programs in the pre-programmed memory module, and run it like any user-written program. Programs written by the user could also use programs in the module as subroutines. The module's programs ran directly from ROM
, so they left the calculator's memory free for the user.
However, exploiting the computerlike capabilities of the TI-59 was a different matter. Although the TI-59 was Turing-complete, supporting straight-line programming, conditions, loops, and indirect access to memory registers, and although it supported limited alphanumeric output on the printer only, writing sophisticated routines was essentially a matter of planning machine language and using a coding pad.
A large degree of sharing occurred in the TI-59 and TI-58 community.
Op-code Comment
LBL A You'll call the program with the A key
STO 01 stores the value in register 1
1 starts with 1
LBL B label for the loop
* multiply
RCL 01 by n
DSZ 1 B décrements n and back to B until n=0
= end of loop, the machine has
calculated 1*n*(n-1)*...2*1=n!
INV SBR end of procedure
Here is the same program written for TI Compiler:
#reg 01 counter
#label A factorial
LBL factorial
STO counter
1
FOR counter
* @counter
LOOP
=
RTN
#end
HP-67, the TI-59 had an extremely large memory
. The partition between program steps and memories was adjustable in increments of 80 program steps/10 memories, and as many as 960 program steps (with zero memories) or as many as 100 memories (with 160 program steps) could be configured. The TI-59 was the first programmable pocket calculator where the manufacturer provided a system for sharing memory between data registers and program storage. The memory was only about twice as large as in the SR-52, but more flexible, and thus the possible number of program steps was four times as high. Contents of this memory were lost, when the calculator was turned off.
The TI-58 had half the memory of the TI-59, and supported up to 480 program steps or 60 memories, and competed with the HP-25
and HP-25C.
The video also shows the dual use of the magnetic card as a program documentation menu. Notes could be printed or handwritten by the programmer on the top side of the magnetic card. Once read by the cardreader, the card could then be stored, as shown, in a slot between the top of the keyboard and the display, thus providing a notation indicating both the name of the program currently loaded and the purpose of each of the five label buttons A-E within the loaded program.
The TI-58 did not have a magnetic card reader.
The TI-59 and TI-58 were the first hand-held calculators to utilize removable ROM
program modules. The Master Library Module ROM was included with the TI-59 and TI-58, and contained several useful pre-programmed routines and even a game. Additional modules - for such applications as real estate
, investment
, statistics
, surveying
and aviation
- were sold separately.
(the PC-100A, B, and C models); the calculator was mounted on top of the printer and locked in place with a key.
The calculator could be programmed to request input from the user, and output results of calculations to the printer. Alphanumeric text (64 characters total, including space, 0-9, A-Z and 25 punctuation and mathematical symbols) could be output as well as numbers. A limited ability to plot graphs was provided. The printer was also valuable for program development because it could produce a hard copy of the calculator's program including the alphanumeric mnemonics instead of just the numeric codes normally visible on the display, as well as a dump of the data registers, a trace of the program's execution and other information about the program.
In the early model PC-100A, a switch inside the battery charger compartment allowed use with the earlier SR-52 and SR-56 calculators as well as the TI-58/59 series. In addition, it also worked with non-programmable TI machines of the era. (Remove the battery pack of a TI calculator and look for the row of printer interface pads on the circuit board below the battery terminals.)
Programmable calculator
Programmable calculators are calculators that can automatically carry out a sequence of operations under control of a stored program, much like a computer. The first programmable calculators such as the IBM CPC used punched cards or other media for program storage...
, manufactured by Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
from 1977. It was the successor to the TI SR-52, quadrupling the number of "program steps" of storage, and adding "ROM Program Modules" (an insertable ROM chip, capable of holding 5000 program steps) and a magnetic card reader for external storage. It was one of the first LED
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting...
calculators with the capability and flexibility to take on many real-world calculation challenges, and quickly became popular with professionals in many fields.
The TI-58, and later TI-58C, were low-end versions of the TI-59, lacking the magnetic card reader and having half the memory, but otherwise identical. Although the TI-58C used a different chip than the TI-58, the technical data remained identical. The "C" in a TI (or HP) model name indicated that the calculator had a constant memory (or continuous memory, respectively) allowing retention of programs and data when turned off.
The calculator could be powered from an external adapter
Adapter
An adapter or adaptor is a person that adapts or a device that converts attributes of one device or system to those of an otherwise incompatible device or system.Some adapters may only affect physical attributes:...
or from its internal NiCd
Nickel-cadmium battery
The nickel–cadmium battery ' is a type of rechargeable battery using nickel oxide hydroxide and metallic cadmium as electrodes....
rechargeable battery pack.
Display
The red LED display showed 10 decimal digits of precision.
Programming
Programming simple problems with the TI-59 or TI-58 was a very straightforward process. In programming mode, the TI-59 simply recorded key presses. Alphabetical keys provided easy access to up to ten entry points.It was also possible to activate any of the programs in the pre-programmed memory module, and run it like any user-written program. Programs written by the user could also use programs in the module as subroutines. The module's programs ran directly from ROM
Read-only memory
Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...
, so they left the calculator's memory free for the user.
However, exploiting the computerlike capabilities of the TI-59 was a different matter. Although the TI-59 was Turing-complete, supporting straight-line programming, conditions, loops, and indirect access to memory registers, and although it supported limited alphanumeric output on the printer only, writing sophisticated routines was essentially a matter of planning machine language and using a coding pad.
A large degree of sharing occurred in the TI-59 and TI-58 community.
Programming example
Here is a sample program that computes the factorial of an integer number from 2 to 69. For 5!, you'll type 5 A and get the result, 120. Unlike the SR-52, the TI-59 or TI-58 didn't have the factorial function built-in, but it did support it through the software module which was delivered with the calculator.Op-code Comment
LBL A You'll call the program with the A key
STO 01 stores the value in register 1
1 starts with 1
LBL B label for the loop
* multiply
RCL 01 by n
DSZ 1 B décrements n and back to B until n=0
= end of loop, the machine has
calculated 1*n*(n-1)*...2*1=n!
INV SBR end of procedure
Here is the same program written for TI Compiler:
#reg 01 counter
#label A factorial
LBL factorial
STO counter
1
FOR counter
* @counter
LOOP
=
RTN
#end
Memory
In comparison to its contemporary main competitor, Hewlett-PackardHewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard Company or HP is an American multinational information technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA that provides products, technologies, softwares, solutions and services to consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises, including...
HP-67, the TI-59 had an extremely large memory
Computer storage
Computer data storage, often called storage or memory, refers to computer components and recording media that retain digital data. Data storage is one of the core functions and fundamental components of computers....
. The partition between program steps and memories was adjustable in increments of 80 program steps/10 memories, and as many as 960 program steps (with zero memories) or as many as 100 memories (with 160 program steps) could be configured. The TI-59 was the first programmable pocket calculator where the manufacturer provided a system for sharing memory between data registers and program storage. The memory was only about twice as large as in the SR-52, but more flexible, and thus the possible number of program steps was four times as high. Contents of this memory were lost, when the calculator was turned off.
The TI-58 had half the memory of the TI-59, and supported up to 480 program steps or 60 memories, and competed with the HP-25
HP-25
The HP-25 was a hand-held programmable scientific/engineering calculator made by Hewlett-Packard between 1975 and 1978. The HP-25 was introduced as a cheaper alternative to the ground-breaking HP-65....
and HP-25C.
Magnetic card reader
The TI-59 could store programs and data on small magnetic cards when the calculator was turned off and quickly reloaded when needed. Click below for a video of the card reader in action.The video also shows the dual use of the magnetic card as a program documentation menu. Notes could be printed or handwritten by the programmer on the top side of the magnetic card. Once read by the cardreader, the card could then be stored, as shown, in a slot between the top of the keyboard and the display, thus providing a notation indicating both the name of the program currently loaded and the purpose of each of the five label buttons A-E within the loaded program.
The TI-58 did not have a magnetic card reader.
Solid State Software Library
Read-only memory
Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...
program modules. The Master Library Module ROM was included with the TI-59 and TI-58, and contained several useful pre-programmed routines and even a game. Additional modules - for such applications as real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
, investment
Investment
Investment has different meanings in finance and economics. Finance investment is putting money into something with the expectation of gain, that upon thorough analysis, has a high degree of security for the principal amount, as well as security of return, within an expected period of time...
, statistics
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
, surveying
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
and aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
- were sold separately.
Printer
Also available for the TI-59 and TI-58 was a thermal printerThermal printer
A thermal printer produces a printed image by selectively heating coated thermochromic paper, or thermal paper as it is commonly known, when the paper passes over the thermal print head. The coating turns black in the areas where it is heated, producing an image...
(the PC-100A, B, and C models); the calculator was mounted on top of the printer and locked in place with a key.
The calculator could be programmed to request input from the user, and output results of calculations to the printer. Alphanumeric text (64 characters total, including space, 0-9, A-Z and 25 punctuation and mathematical symbols) could be output as well as numbers. A limited ability to plot graphs was provided. The printer was also valuable for program development because it could produce a hard copy of the calculator's program including the alphanumeric mnemonics instead of just the numeric codes normally visible on the display, as well as a dump of the data registers, a trace of the program's execution and other information about the program.
In the early model PC-100A, a switch inside the battery charger compartment allowed use with the earlier SR-52 and SR-56 calculators as well as the TI-58/59 series. In addition, it also worked with non-programmable TI machines of the era. (Remove the battery pack of a TI calculator and look for the row of printer interface pads on the circuit board below the battery terminals.)
External links
- TI-59 homepage maintained by Dejan RistanovicDejan RistanovicDejan Ristanović , is a well known Serbian writer and computer publicist.In January 1981 he wrote the first article on personal computers for the popular science magazine Galaksija...
- TI-59 library maintained by Viktor Toth
- TI-59, TI-58, TI-58C on DataMath.org
- TI-59, TI-58, TI-58C on MyCalcDB (database about 70's and 80's pocket calculators)
- TI-59 birthday Short article published on the TI-59's 30th birthday Utilisateur TI, programmes en ligne TI User, programs on line. TI-59, TI-58C, TI-58 German documentation/ ti58c.ift.cx, TI-58C Emulator on Windows