Programming a calculator in Delphi Essay Example

I can implement into the calculator (for example, square rooting, trigonometric ratios, memory features) then the better, but I need to make sure that they work properly and that they don't hinder the reliability of the program in any way.

The first thing I need to do is get the simplest form of a calculator up and running: a calculator that can add, subtract, multiply and divide. This in itself can take some time, but once I have accomplished this then I have a firm base from which to expand and include further features. My main aim (apart from getting it to actually work!) is to make the programming as tidy and efficient as possible. Instead of having messy, hard to read code, I want to try to make the code progressive and easy to follow.

To do this, I intend to comment my code thoroughly where needed. The calculations involved may well get rather complicated hence I will try and organise the code to the best of my ability.The first thing that comes to light when designing the calculator is the layout. I need to decide what I'd like on the calculator, and specify what each button is to do. Designing the calculator like this beforehand will pay off later when it comes round to the coding.

Included overleaf is an initial sketch of how I'd like the calculator to appear and work in its simplest form. Obviously, the further I get into the project, the more likely my initial design is to change as I implement further features, or change things that don't fit for some reason etc.Now that I've got a small idea

in my head of how I want the calculator to look, I can get on with the initial implementation phase. This will basically involve creating the layout of the calculator in Delphi. At that point, I will take a screenshot of the calculator and then advance from there.Also, I've decided to call the calculator 'Easy Calculator v1.

0'. This is a good, simple name, and I've included a version number in case I'd like to produce a newer version of the finished program in the future (yeah right :)).Annotated sketch of Simple Calculator (1st Draft)ProblemsBelow is a screenshot of an early stage in the development of the calculator:So far, all that has been considered is the layout and preparation for the proper coding that is to come to add functionality to the calculator. In the screenshot, there is a 'basic' layout of the calculator, which includes all the features that you would expect in any standard calculator.

Also included is a Main Menu at the top of the page, which is empty at the moment, but will be filled later for further interactivity and ease of use. Already, the initial design has changed slightly.All the objects on the form have been given suitable names so that they are easily identifiable and so that it's easier to work with.Now it's time to get dirty and into some proper programming! I would like to start off by getting the basic features working first. After analysing the problems presented, I've managed to put together a list of the problems that need to be solved in order to get the basic calculator up and running on the following page.