mirror of
https://github.com/DanilaFe/abacus
synced 2024-11-18 08:29:33 -08:00
28 lines
1.2 KiB
Markdown
28 lines
1.2 KiB
Markdown
---
|
|
in_header: true
|
|
layout: page
|
|
title: About
|
|
permalink: /about/
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## So... what IS Abacus?
|
|
It's a calculator. Obviously. But what makes it better than
|
|
what already exists? There's a few things. Abacus is:
|
|
* Programmable, and not in TI Basic.
|
|
* Precise. With the "precise" option, Abacus can keep up to 50 significant figures.
|
|
* Capable. Ever wonder what 2<sup>700</sup> is? How about 8!!? Abacus can tell you!
|
|
* Offline. While Wolfram Alpha can do powerful math, it needs internet connection!
|
|
* Built for the desktop. Why use buttons on the screen when there's buttons on the keyboard?
|
|
* Open source. Don't like something? Help is always welcome!
|
|
|
|
## Why was Abacus made?
|
|
The initial project was proposed for the [Northwest Advanced Programming Workshop](http://nwapw.org/about/).
|
|
You can read the project proposal on the main GitHub page, although the idea has
|
|
changed quite a bit, mostly in shifting from "fast" to "precise".
|
|
|
|
## What is Abacus made with?
|
|
Java and Kotlin. Java provides a good layer of abstraction and a great standard
|
|
library, while Kotlin allows for the reduction of boilerplate code and null
|
|
safety. Using JVM-based languages also allows Abacus to expose its entire
|
|
API to plugins, and load them at runtime.
|