HP41C integer mode module - allows doing Bin/Oct/Dec/Hex stuff
author Neil Franklin, last modification 2010.10.22


Prehistory

HP65 has built in f ->OCT and f^-1 ->DEC convertions, range 10*3=30bit
HP67 only has cards for conversion, Math Pac 1
  solver style, ->DEC and DEC->, 2digit per Hex digit
HP41C also has built in OCT and DEC, not on keyboard
  Math Pac ported from 67, also own conversions based on Alpha mode
  later usually with DEC in X, non-DEC in Alpha, lots of typing
  myself wrote direct convertion, with 2digit per Hex digit, for 41C and 11C
    http://neil.franklin.ch/Projects/RPN_Hex_Dec


The Specialist

HP16C has ist all built in, the best implementation, never fully copied
  full Bin/Oct/Dec/Hex, separate A..F keys
  range selectable word size 1..64bit, unsigned,1s,2s, display window
  direct any base operations +,-,*,/,MOD with carry and overflow
  full AND,OR,XOR,NOT, shift,rotate,leftjustify
  masking, bitcount, bitset,bittest, *,/,MOD with double


Advantage Module

adds semblance of 15C and 16C like stuff to 41C, within limits
  Matrix stuff from W&W Software is considered excellent
  Complex is just MCODEed rehash of Math Pac/Module 2-level stack
  integer stuff is unfriendly converters to/from Decimal
    range base dependant, Bin 10bit, Oct 10*3=30bit, Hex 8*4=32bit
    VIEW X->Alpha, IN uses special prompt mode A..F and 0..9
    also offers decimal/X-only operations AND,OR,XOR,NOT,BIT?,ROTXY


RPL Family

28C has Binary menu, range selectable word size 1..64bit, separate A..F keys
  keyboard direct any base operations +,-,*,/
  menu also direct AND,OR,XOR,NOT,shift,rotate,real<->bin
  but requires # even if in menu, unless base is Dec
28S adds temporary base change with suffix, second best if # ignored
48S/SX moved Binary menu to 2nd level Math Base, and A..F collide with menu


Pioneer

42S has an updated/improved Advantage module built in, as Base menu/app/mode
  hierarch menu, top Bin/Oct/Dec/Hex, A..F in submenu, then exit,range 36bit
  keyboard direct any base operations +,-,*,/
  second submenu also direct AND,OR,XOR,NOT,BIT?,ROTXY
others only base conversion and +,-,*,/, without AND,OR,XOR,NOT, range 36bit
  best of these is 20S, no menus, no collision of A..F and Bin/Oct/Dec/Hex
    but is an algorithmic calculator, nor RPN, there was no similar 30S Pioneer
  second best 32S/32SII, Bin/Oct/Dec/Hex switch/conv menu disappears, then A..F
    still fastest RPN calc for just conversion/arithmetic, no AND,OR,XOR,NOT


What I would like

HP41C module, MCODEd, 42S improved Advantage style app/mode
  range full HP41 56bit, stored as NNNs 1 full word each
    no 65/67/41/Pioneer style 30/36bit in 10/12 digit 14*4bit BCD
    no 16C style full 64bit in multiple 56bit words
    and full 56bit words also usable for easy synthetic programming
    also unsigned,2signed and display window stuff as in 16C
    use 2 flags for current base selection Bin/Oct/Dec/Hex
    use 4 display flags for 0:Minus 1:Overflow 2:Zero 3:Carry
  no menu, no collisions, keys 0..9 and A..F, other keys Bin/Oct/Dec/Hex
    keys +,-,*,/, keys AND,OR,XOR,NOT,shift,rot,etc, all interesting functions
      also masking and inserting bit fields
    including non-normalising STO/RCL/X<> with .XYZTL and .MNOPQ`abcde
  for this Angel Martin 41Z like keyboard mode, call this one 41I
    all functions direct callable with I* names
      then keytable function with XROM 2nd half numbers
    will require duplication of the entire input editing loop
      because of this as "I mode", not just an "Z shift" for one function
    can then use SIGMA- to enter, as only done once at beginning
      this requires an "exit" key, most likely same as for entering
  possibly also an Hex memory editor for programs, synthetics
    with 7 * 00 Byte at current position inserter/remover