Create My Calculator

Purpose

Use Create My Calculator to turn your own qCalc calculation code into a named calculator that you can save, open, and reuse. A saved calculator appears in your personal qCalc catalog and can be used like other qCalc calculators.

This tool is best when you have a calculation you want to keep, rather than a one-off expression. For a single multi-step calculation, use the Simple Expression Evaluator eva instead.

Create a Calculator

Enter a calculator name and its code. Your code needs two functions with the same name:

• The calculator function performs the calculation.
• The __info() function provides the calculator title shown to users.

For a calculator named addlen, use this basic structure:

def addlen(x='7 ft', y='8 m'):
    return Qty(x) + Qty(y)

def addlen__info():
    return {
        'title': 'Add Two Lengths'
    }

The function name and the calculator name must match. Input values with defaults, such as x='7 ft', let qCalc show a starting value and allow the Validate Input check to run the calculator.

You can leave the calculator name field (Cal Name) blank when saving. In that case, qCalc uses the name of the calculator function it finds in your codebase.

Code Controls

Format Code

Formats the code and adds a basic matching __info() function when one is missing. Check and adjust the generated title before saving.

Check Syntax

Checks whether qCalc can read and run the code, and validates each matching __info() function. Use this after making changes and before saving.

Validate Input

Runs each calculator function using its default input values. Every input that is needed for validation must have a default value. The result identifies the functions that passed validation or explains the problem that needs correcting.

Save

Saves the code as your calculator. Saving a calculator with the same name updates that saved calculator. The result includes an Open link so you can open and use the calculator immediately.

Load Code

Enter the name of one of your saved calculators, then select Load Code to place its current code in the editor.

Delete Code

Enter the name of one of your saved calculators, then select Delete Code to remove it from your personal calculator catalog.

My Catalog

Select My Catalog to browse your saved calculators.

Results

After saving, Remarks lists the functions qCalc found and confirms the name used to run the calculator. The Open result opens the saved calculator.

Note

qCalc only saves code that it can validate. Make sure the calculator function and its matching __info() function use the same name, for example addlen() and addlen__info().

Changing code in the editor does not change an existing saved calculator until you select Save. Deleting code removes the saved calculator, so use it only when you no longer need that calculator.