Technical Information

4.1. Error Conditions

If you perform an invalid calculation, gcalctool indicates the error condition as follows:

  • Displays the word Error in the display area.
  • Displays an error message in the status bar.
  • Makes all calculator buttons unavailable, except Clr.
  • Makes all calculator options unavailable.
  • Makes all calculator menu items unavailable, except Calculator ▸ Quit and Help ▸ Contents.

To clear the error condition, click Clr or press Shift+Delete.

4.2. Changing Modes

If the user tries to change modes when a partial calculation is being displayed, a warning dialog is displayed, telling the user that the current calculation will be cleared, and the base will be reset to decimal.

There is a checkbox present, that if checked, prevents the dialog from being shown again.

If the user presses the Cancel button, the change mode operation is cancelled. If the user presses the Change Mode button, the mode is changed and has the following side-effects:

  • Clears the display.
  • Sets the base to decimal.
  • Sets the numeric display to fixed.
  • Sets the accuracy to nine places after the numeric point.
  • Clears the display of the thousands separator.
  • Clears the display of trailing zeroes after the numeric point.
  • Dismisses the register window if the new mode is Basic.

4.3. Changing The Display Area

It is possible to use the mouse to click on the display area and edit it.

All the normal keyboard shortcuts will work, plus the addition of:

  • Ctrl+Delete which will delete the character to the right of the text cursor
  • Home which moves the text cursor to the beginning of the display area
  • End which moves the text cursor to the end of the display area

UsageQuick Reference: Keyboard Shortcuts