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ALLMVC.DOC [70375,1070]	OCTOBER 1983

This is brief, but I hope, complete documentation of the use of MiniVC.
Features up to the .JGB version are included.

1.	What is MiniVC ?
MiniVC is a small electronic spreadsheet program written in Basic.  The
original was written by Terry Dettmann and published in Basic Computing
magazine.  Terry uploaded a copy to the Model 100 SIG and several others have
added to the program.

2.	What can it do ?
MiniVC can do relatively simple arithmetic on a matrix of rows and
columns.  It has a limited ability to make decisions when computing a
value.  It can be used for timesheets, cost proposals, or anything that you
would do with a pencil, paper and calculator that could be laid out in
rows and columns of numbers.  MiniVC will let you change values in the
spreadsheet and quickly see the results, i.e. you can play "What If?"

3.	The "MODEL"
A MODEL is the definition of your spreadsheet.  It has ROWs and COLUMNs.
The item at each row/column intersection is an ELEMENT.  Each element
can be empty, or a LABEL, or a NUMBER (value).  Numeric elements can be
pure numbers or computed from other numbers in the model. As downloaded,
MiniVC defaults to 20 rows and 20 columns (set by MR=20:MC=20 in line
8010.)  You can change MR & MC, limited by your available memory.

4.	Defining Elements
After MiniVC starts you will see a window showing the upper left corner of
the model.  A "cursor" is shown in reverse video.  Move the cursor with
the arrow keys.  Column identifiers (Alphabetic) and row IDs (numeric) are
shown for reference.  An element is uniquely identified by columnrow, such
as A1 or D14.  The current element is where the cursor is shown.  If there is
a definition for the element, it will be shown on the top line.

	A LABEL is defined by starting the definition with any non-numeric
character.  For leading blanks, use a " for the first character (will not be
part of the label.)  MiniVC.JGB will preserve lower case in labels.  Labels
are used to identify what a row or column is.  You can also use "--------"
type labels to show totals.  If a label is included in arithmetic, it is
treated as a zero.

	Rows are defined by using a number or math symbol as the first
character.  "A1+B1" would be a label.   "+A1+B1" defines a value element that
 equals the value of element A1 plus the value of element B1.  Constants
are just typed in as numbers: 25  -or-  +A1+B2/2

5.	Arithmetic
Arithemtic can be performed using values from other elements.  The model is
evaluated down columns from left to rigth (normally), so you should not use
an element in a calculation that has not been evaluated yet. (If calculating
twice gives different results, you have used a "forward" reference.)
	MiniVC supports common arithmetic:	+ - * / ^
It is similar to Basic, but the evaluation is strictly left to right.
Parentheses can be used but they do not work quite the way you may expect.  Try
any complex calculation to make sure it is doing what you want.

6.	Functions
MiniVC goes beyond simple arithmetic by using FUNCTIONS.  A function always has
an "@" for its first character.  Arithmetic functions include:
 @ABS @INT @SQRT @EXP @LN
The argument is enclosed in (): @INT(A1) -or- @SQRT(A1+B1)

	A frequent requirement is to add up a row or column.  @CSUM(r1,r2) and
@RSUM(c1,c2) will do this with one instruction. "c1,c2" and "r1,r2" are
the start and end col or row numbers to include in the sum.  "c1,c2" are
expressed as numbers rather than letters: A=0, B=1, etc.
	@RSUM(0,3) -and- +A1+B1+C1+D1
do the same thing, if the cursor is located on an element in Row 1.

7.	Decisions
Several @functions are available for simple decisions:
  @<<  @>>  @<=  @>=  @==  @<>
These require two arguments and return 1 if true or 0 if false.  They behave as
if the test was between the two arguments.  If A1 is 20 and B1 is 100,
@<<(A1,B1) will return "1" to the calculation, @>>(A1,B1) would be 0.

8.	@Miscellaneous
Other @functions:  @MIN  @MAX  @MOD
These take two arguments.  The @MOD returns the remainder of arg1/arg2,
@MOD(10,7) equals 3.
A useful, but abnormal, function is @ROUND.  You insert it in a calculation
at the point where you want rounding to occur (usually the end.)  The value at
that point will be rounded.  The function otherwise looks like a "1" in
the calculation:
  1.2*6.3*@ROUND(1) gives 7.6
The number in () is the number of decimal places right of the decimal
point to round.  1234*@ROUND(-2) would be 1200.

9.	F-keys
The F-key function keys finish out the capabilities of MiniVC.  Do not
confuse this discussion with the @functions. These are the row of 8
keys above your keyboard.  There are two sets of F-keys defined.  On the
"front" side are:

More	Flip to the "other" F-keys.
GoTo	Go directly to a specified element, rather than using arrow keys.
Scrn	regenerate the screen.
Calc	Recalculate the entire model by columns.  (Each element is computed
	when you enter it, but this does the whole model.)
Blnk	Reinitialize the cursor element (Blank.)
Repl	Replicate definition of one range to another range.  This is a
	limited replicate, but useful.
Prnt	Print the model.  You may "print" to any device.  The current
	cursor marks u/l corner, it asks for the l/r corner element.
Abrt	ABORT - this has caused some suspected problems - don't use it.

("More" functions)
F1	Flips you back to the normal set.
Load	Loads a previously SAVEd model.
Save	Save current model. Specify a file or CAS:file.  Can edited in TEXT.
Calc	Recalc by ROWs.
New	Reinitialize entire model.
Room	Shows how much memory and string space is available.  You can adjust
	the CLEAR in line 10, if you need to.
Frmt	All fields default to 8 letters or integer digits.  You can use any
	valid PRINT USING format, but 8 char is suggested, e.g. ##,###.#  or
	$$###.##  Only the cursor element is affected.
Quit	Normal way to leave MiniVC.

Have fun.  Play with it to get used to its quirks.  Many are using it, so
don't hesitate to ask questions.