HP-42S Features http://www.hpmuseum.org/features/42sf.

htm

The Museum of HP Calculators

HP-42S Features
Features in optional ROMs are listed as Option.
Features in HP mag card or tape Application Pacs are listed as +.
Other software is not included.
Display and Keyboard HP-42S
Display type LCD
Display format 2 Line
FIXed number format Yes
SCIentific number format Yes
ENGineering number format Yes
STanDard / ALL number format Yes
Alpha messages and prompts Yes
Softkeys labeled by mag. card or overlay -
Softkeys labeled by display menus Yes
Softkeys with neither labeling system -
Status annunciators Yes
Redefinable keyboard Yes

Logic HP-42S
Logic system RPN
Stack levels 4
Last x Yes
Undo -
Precedence -
Parentheses -
Storage Addition (STO +) Yes
Storage Arithmetic (STO +, -, , ) Yes
Storage Exponentiation (STO ^) -
Recall Arithmetic Yes
Named variables Yes*
Multiple data types Yes*
Directories -

Math HP-42S
+, -, , Yes
1/x Yes
sq. root Yes

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x2 Yes
LOG x Yes
10x Yes
LN x Yes
ex Yes
yx Yes
pi Yes
% Yes
% change Yes
INTeger truncation and ABSolute value Yes
Trigonometric functions (SIN, COS etc.) Yes
Hyperbolic trig. (SINH, COSH etc.) Yes
# of trig. modes (degrees, radians, grads) 3

Advanced Math HP-42S

Solver / root finder Yes
Numeric integration Yes
Complex numbers Yes
Matrix operations Yes
Matrix writer -
Equation writer -
Symbolic operations -
Fractions -
Plotting and graphics (display) Yes
Plotting and graphics (printer / plotter) Option

Statistical HP-42S
Mean, standard deviation (# of variables) 2
Summation of n, x, x2 Yes
Summation of n, x, x2, y Yes
Summation of n, x, x2, y, xy Yes
Summation of n, x, x2, y, y2, xy Yes*
Summation of lists -
Random number generator Yes
Linear regression, estimate Yes
Curve fitting Yes
Correlation coefficient Yes
Normal distribution -
Factorial Yes
Gamma Yes

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Combinations and permutations Yes

Scientific and Time HP-42S

Polar / rectangular conversions Yes
Base conversions (2, 8, 10, 16) Yes
Arithmetic in bases 2, 8 and 16 Yes
Bit operations (AND, OR, XOR, ...) Yes
Selectable word size (1-64 bits) -
Selectable complement mode (1's, 2's, unsigned) -
Decimal hrs / hrs.min.sec. conversions Yes
Hrs.min.sec arithmetic Yes
Time of day clock -
Timer -
Dynamic calculations (timer rate) -
Alarms -

Unit Conversions HP-42S

Centimeters / inches -
Millimeters / inches -
Meters / feet -
Kilograms / pounds (mass) -
Newtons / pounds (force) -
British thermal units / joules -
Liters / gallons -
Celsius / Fahrenheit -
Other -
User-defined units -

Time Value of Money HP-42S

Number of payments (n) -
Interest rate (i) -
Present Value (PV) -
Payment (PMT) -
Future Value (FV) -

Cash Flow Analysis HP-42S

Net present value (NPV) -
Internal rate of return (IRR) -

Amortization HP-42S
Accumulated Interest (ACC INT) -

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Balance (BAL) -

Depreciation HP-42S
Straight line (SL) -
Sum of the years digits (SOYD) -
Declining balance (DB) -

Bonds and calendar functions HP-42S

Bond price -
Bond yield -
Date arithmetic / calendar functions -

Memory and Programming HP-42S

Programming language(s) RPN
7200 bytes /
RAM / Max # of variables or addressable registers
895 registers
Max # of program steps 7200*
RAM / Max vars or regs with full optional RAM -
Max # of prog steps with full optional RAM -
Merged program steps Yes
Manual register / program memory allocation Yes
Automatic register / program memory allocation -
Overlapped register and program memory -
Continuous memory Yes
Flags 100
Conditional tests 12
Subroutine levels 8
Indexed looping (increment by +/- 1, end at 0) Yes
Indexed looping (choice of increment and end) Yes
Multiple index / loop registers Yes
Line number addressing -
Branching by relative line number -
Global program label addressing Yes
Local program label addressing Yes
Indirect / computed addressing and control Yes
Multiple indirection registers Yes
Pause Yes
Alpha messages and prompts in programs Yes
Alpha program listings Yes
Alpha string manipulation Yes
Program step insert / delete Yes

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I/O and Expansion Features HP-42S

ROM modules -
RAM modules or expansion option -
General expansion slots / connector -
Magnetic card reader/writer -
Tape drive -
Disk drive -
Upgradeable firmware -
Optical wand -
Serial port -
Infrared input -
Infrared output Yes
Printer Option
Networking -
Other -

General HP-42S
Sounds Yes
Self test Yes
Hard case (in addition to soft case) -
Additional Features -
Batteries 3 SR 44
Length (inches) 5.85"
Width 3.15"
Height 0.6"
Weight (oz or lbs) 5 oz
Year of introduction 1988
Features in optional ROMs are listed as Option.
Features in HP mag card or tape Application Pacs are listed as +.
Other software is not included.

Unlim means limited only by available memory.

HP-42S notes:

Named variables AND numbered registers.

Manual presented basic Time Value of Money formula as an example of using the Solver.
Besides n, x, x2, y, y2, xy, the calculator also summed: ln x, (ln x)^2, ln y, (ln y)^2, ln x ln y, x ln y,
and y ln x
Data types were real, complex, string and alpha. Any type could be stored in the stack or in a variable,
but only single numbers could be stored in numeric registers and you had to convert all registers to
complex to store a complex number in any register.

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Maximum number of program lines assumes no registers and only single byte instructions.
To start the self test, with the calculator on, press and hold the LOG key and press the ON/EXIT key.
Pressing the + key will step through a series of tests (including printing a copyright) until you see
KBD. Then you must press each key from the upper left from left to right and then down until you see
KBD OK. Pressing + will show OK-42S-E. If there is a problem, you will see a FAIL message. To exit
the test, at any point, press and hold the square root key and then press the ON/EXIT key. Instead of
stepping through the general tests, you can start some specific self tests after pressing LOG+ON/EXIT
by pressing
SUM+: Speed
1/x: Beep
square root: DISP
LOG :ROM
LN: DRAM
XEQ: URAM
RCL: ESD (electro-static discharge test?)
STO: KBD
Roll down: Displays the OK message
A continuous test (minus the keyboard test) can be started by holding 1/x and pressing ON/EXIT. Exit
this test in the same way as the individual test.

Go to the feature comparison page

Go back to the main exhibit hall

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