Whats the best route to creating a calculator application.

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<hi,>

It's my first run at a web application and I'm looking for a 'road map'.

I want to take in some variables from a user do some calculations and then present the results on screen.
I also want to save the information and send the info via PDF if requested.

I'm currently learning Ruby Rails and Bootstrap.

What are the basic steps I need to create this application?

Posted 24-Aug-15 6:51am

Member 11931966

Updated 24-Aug-15 9:01am

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Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov · Answer 1 · 2015-08-24T08:05:00

Solution 2

You are thinking of some real overkill. The easiest way to make a calculator is JavaScript, just because it is already a calculator, already implemented, essentially, with just one function, eval. Please see my implementation and the article about it: JavaScript Calculator[^].

PDF: I could not possibly think of something uglier and more useless, but, for example, you could use jsPDF: http://mrrio.github.io/jsPDF/[^].

—SA

Posted 24-Aug-15 8:05am

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov

Comments

CPallini 24-Aug-15 14:17pm

I suppose that Ruby has (like most scripting languages) an eval function too.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 24-Aug-15 14:21pm

Sure, but I would still consider it as overkill. JavaScript solution doesn't even require an HTTP server, can work locally, and is damn simple.
—SA

Member 11931966 24-Aug-15 15:00pm

Thanks guys,

So where would I start? I am currently set up in Ruby Rails just at 'hello world' stage. I want to learn by doing.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 24-Aug-15 15:02pm

Why not? You can use any input control, and use it's value property in JavaScript, to read input value.
—SA

Patrice T · Answer 2 · 2015-08-24T08:03:00

Solution 1

My solution: Don't do it, not now.

Learning a language is not simply learning the syntax, there is a lot more.

My road map:
- Read the language documentation (at least a good part).
- Follow language tutorials.
- Remember that Google is your friend.
- Abuse of Debugger to see what the code is doing step by step, it gives you an invaluable understanding of what is going on, check variables.
- Master Boole Algebra, it is ubiquitous, Every time you test something, you use Boole algebra.
- Master some analyse methods, Dijkstra Top-Down method is a good start.

Don't skip steps.

Posted 24-Aug-15 8:03am

Patrice T

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Member 11931966 24-Aug-15 15:05pm

Thanks nice answer.
I have been learning c for the past two years through grinding out projects. I learn best this way.

I guess what I'm asking for is a big picture overview of the tools I need to complete a project like the one intend on building and then where to start.

Just to clarify, I want to build a 'return on investment' type application, 4 or five variables are input by the user, calculations are made, then the results presented or emailed if requested.

Patrice T 24-Aug-15 15:55pm

2 years of c ! This change the picture :)
Ruby is certainly a nice language, but if you don't have a project requiring Ruby, I would not focus on it now.
Since you will certainly have to build an internet site or app, HTML/JavaScript look like a better choice to me. Because it is visual, you get some fast reward, it can be motivating.
Sharpen your skills, practice analyse method.
With time the last 3 points of my solution have proven the most important.

Member 11931966 25-Aug-15 6:16am

Thanks.
I do have a project next inline which is a basic project management application. That's why I wanted to learn rails.