BC wrapper

This wrapper turns bc into an easier-to-use CLI calculator. One could say it is better, but then that would make it bbc... Let's not get ahead of ourselves, so let's stick to bc for now. This wrapper started as a fun project because GNU BC's prompt is non-existent. Having a prompt is crucial, otherwise, how can the user know where to type numbers and funny-looking math symbols as input? Without an interactive prompt, how can the user know when the resulting number shall emerge, abiding by the noble laws of True Mathematics™? These profound inquiries find their resolution within this extraordinary wrapper. But it did not end with the mere addition of a prompt, it escalated by adding multiple functionalities, such as:

• dynamic prompt
• dynamic autocomplete
• manipulation of a list of numbers being pasted into the input
• better control over loops and defining functions
• concurrent input with the option to turn it off
• extra options, like history, numeric base change, Bash access, help for custom library
• library with functions calculating complex numbers

Installation

The wrapper can contaminate your impeccable system by running:

git clone https://github.com/Slate5/bc-wrapper.git
cd bc-wrapper
make

Uninstallation

To expunge the wrapper from your system, run the following command from the repository:

make remove

Desktop application

To use the wrapper as a desktop application, xfce4-terminal is required. Install it now to have the most exciting, thrilling and euphoric experience of your life!

*(Possible side effects may include headache, diarrhea & constipation, impotence & increased libido, social anxiety & extraversion)

Behold, for true beauty is about to mesmerize you with splendor:

Usage examples

The command bc on a terminal will run this BC wrapper, overriding GNU's bc except for these cases:

• when executed with flags, e.g. bc -l
• when bc's STDIN and/or STDOUT are not opened on a terminal, e.g. echo 2 + 2 | bc

Base option

In a normal bc session, if the ibase has been set to 2, to switch to the hexadecimal base, it is necessary to type ibase = 10000 (16 in binary), since bc expects input in base 2. The wrapper, unlike the original bc, allows changing numeric base using the decimal system, regardless of the current ibase (input base):

BC:01> base = 2; 11 * 11
=> 1001
BC:02> base = 16; A + 5
=> F
BC:03>

base is a custom special variable that changes ibase and obase (output base) at once.

Bash access

Bash can be accessed within the wrapper in two ways:

1. by typing $$:

BC:01> $$
user@host:~$ echo 2 + 2
2 + 2
user@host:~$ logout
BC:02>

2. by typing $ followed by a Bash command or line of code, in which case Bash's output will be forwarded to the wrapper's input:

BC:01> $ echo 2 + 2
Warning: Bash output goes into BC's input automatically.
=> 4
BC:02>

BC:01> ibase = 16
BC:02> $ sha256sum <<< 'I wonder what the checksum in base 10 is' | awk '{ print toupper($1) }'
Warning: Bash output goes into BC's input automatically.
=> 88459510309798899909798798732095866506639491774003091853698086386101035626053
BC:03>

List options

If a list of numbers is pasted into the input, as in:

12
213
4
35
5

the wrapper will give different options to manipulate the list:

BC:01> 12
List detected: 12, 213, 4, 35, 5

Available options [+-*/aosdq]: [ ]
(a - average, o - output, s - sort, d - descending sort, q - quit)

output prints the list as output e.g., if the user wants to convert the list of numbers to another numeric base:

BC:01> obase = 2
BC:02> 12
List detected: 12, 213, 4, 35, 5

Available options [+-*/aosdq]: [o]
=> 1100
=> 11010101
=> 100
=> 100011
=> 101
BC:03>

Help functionality

The help functionality ?, either appended or prepended to one or multiple custom functions, shows the help for those functions, e.g.:

BC:01> isprime(x)?
Help: isprime(x)
      Checks whether the argument is a prime number.

      Returns:
        - 1 when arguments is prime
        - 0 when it is not

BC:02> ? sin() cos()
Help: sin(angle_deg)
      Calculates the sine of an angle.

      The function receives any angle in degrees as argument.

      Returns value.

Help: cos(angle_deg)
      Calculates the cosine of an angle.

      The function receives any angle in degrees as argument.

      Returns value.

BC:03>

The custom library can be modified and new functions can be added to it.