 






          Software
          Product
          Description

          ________________________________________________________________

          PRODUCT NAME:  VAX DECalc, Version 3.1              SPD 25.79.10

          DESCRIPTION

          VAX DECalc is an electronic spreadsheet package for creating,
          editing, and manipulating numbers in a worksheet format. VAX
          DECalc is specifically designed for use on multiuser systems
          and over a network. VAX DECalc executes in native mode under the
          VMS Operating System and drives VT100, VT200, or VT300 series
          terminals. VAX DECalc comes with an extensive reference manual
          containing practice sessions and therefore, requires little
          computer experience.

          Features

          The VAX DECalc spreadsheet consists of a rectangular grid (702
          columns x 9999 rows). Each box or cell in the grid can contain:

          o  An alphanumeric label (up to 255 characters long)

          o  A numerical value (up to 12 decimal digits, or up to 12
             significant decimal digits within a range of .294E-38 to
             1.7E-38)

          o  A relationship

             A relationship is a a mathematical expression that defines
             the value of the box as a function of the value of other
             boxes. Among the features and limitations of relationships
             are:

             -  Relative/Absolute Referencing - Absolute and relative box
                referencing, the ability to put the $ symbol in a box name
                to differentiate between relative and absolute row and
                column references.

                                       DIGITAL                   June 1990

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          VAX DECalc, Version 3.1                             SPD 25.79.10



             -  Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and expo-
                nentiation are supported; as well as various mathematical,
                statistical, and trigonometric functions.

             -  The user can specify, on a global basis, whether expres-
                sions are evaluated according to standard algebraic order
                of precedence, or strictly left to right. The order can
                also be modified by parentheses.

             -  Comments may be included after an expression.

             -  Maximum length of any box entry is 255 characters (includ-
                ing comments).

             -  Recursive relationships are not permitted; they are de-
                tected and reported as errors.

          The maximum theoretical size of the grid is 702 columns by 9999
          rows. The practical limit is a function of available memory
          and/or storage space. VAX DECalc allows multiple grids to be
          stored and retrieved, but users can access only one grid at a
          time.

          Upon entering VAX DECalc, the terminal display screen is divided
          into:

          o  A window onto the grid

          o  A set of reserved areas for messages, prompts, and other user
             interaction

          The window displays a portion of the total grid. The current
          value of each box within the window is displayed. For boxes
          containing relationships, the resulting values are displayed.

          The number of boxes displayed at any time is a function of
          various parameters (start-up = 7 columns x 20 rows). Various
          portions of large grids can be viewed by scrolling the window
          over the grid.

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          VAX DECalc, Version 3.1                             SPD 25.79.10



          The user can specify the displayed width for each column and
          the display positions formats for each box. Labels, values,
          and relationships are entered interactively, via the terminal
          keyboard, as follows:

          o  The marker (highlighted grid box pointer) is positioned to
             the desired box using the cursor keys. The window will scroll
             as necessary.

          o  As new data is entered, it is displayed outside the window.
             It may be altered or canceled at any time prior to termina-
             tion, leaving the grid unchanged.

          o  When the data-entry is terminated with the RETURN key or
             one of the marker keys, the new data replaces the previous
             contents of the box. The new value is displayed within the
             window.

          o  In the normal AUTOMATIC RECALCULATION mode, if the box just
             changed is referenced directly or indirectly by other boxes,
             all of the affected boxes will be recalculated. The new
             values will be displayed if they appear within the window.

          VAX DECalc also provides commands for grid manipulation. During
          command input the user is prompted for any options or subop-
          tions. The user can abort at any point prior to completing entry
          of the command, leaving the grid unchanged. Some of the major
          commands are:

          o  BLANK the contents of one or more boxes or the entire grid.
             The user has the option of blanking formulas, values, or
             both.

          o  INSERT, DELETE, or MOVE multiple rows, columns, or grid
             sections. Grid references within relationships are adjusted
             to maintain the original logical relationship.

          o  Specify a CONTINUOUS LABEL that will continue from left
             to right across boxes in the display, ignoring the space
             character that normally separates grid columns.

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          VAX DECalc, Version 3.1                             SPD 25.79.10



          o  CONSOLIDATE - Retrieves grid sections from up to 99 other
             grids and overlays them onto a section of the current grid
             and either adds, subtracts, multiplies, divides or replaces
             the overlaid values.

          o  ORDER - Used to sort data. Two sort keys are allowed with
             either ascending or descending precedence. Sorts can be done
             by column or row.

          o  REPRODUCE - Copies the contents of a box or section of boxes
             into one or more new locations.

          o  TITLES - Locks headings and descriptions on the screen.

          o  WINDOW - The screen can be split either horizontally or ver-
             tically into two windows. The windows can be scrolled inde-
             pendently or together. A grid box can be given a different
             format within each window.

          o  NAME - Any section of a grid can be named and that name used
             to represent that section in any other VAX DECalc operation.

          Other important features include:

          o  Using the LINK_VALUE function, users can extract a single
             box value from another grid and use that value in a grid
             calculation in the current grid.

          o  Many keystroke combinations are available to move the marker
             up, down, left, or right by pages, to the top or bottom of a
             row or column and to the next filled box.

          o  The Privacy Key Sequence (PF1 twice) - Toggles the screen
             image on or off, without affecting the contents of the grid.

          o  The HELP Keys (PF2 and HELP) - Provide assistance in the
             use of VAX DECalc. If the user does not specify a topic, VAX
             DECalc provides help on the user's current activity.

          o  The Edit Key (PF3) - Permits simple modification of the
             contents of a box.

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          VAX DECalc, Version 3.1                             SPD 25.79.10



          o  The Retrieve Key Sequence (PF4, PF3) - Retrieves the last box
             that was altered.

          o  Tabular Data Entry and Automatic Summation allow strings of
             numbers to be entered into successive boxes via the keypad,
             and summed, with a minimum number of keystrokes.

          o  An ``If, Then, Else'' logical function allows the user to
             specify different results for a box based upon a user-
             specified criterion. Nested ``If, Then, Else'' functions
             are allowed as well as the Boolean operators AND, OR, and
             NOT.

          o  The ability to specify via special format descriptor charac-
             ters exactly what the display of the box on the screen should
             look like. Special characters such as ``$'', ``,'', ``CR'',
             ``DB'', ''+'', ``-'', and ``%'' can be included with the dis-
             play of a box's value. The user can specify the number of
             decimal digits.

          o  Extensive financial functions including Internal Rate of
             Return, Net Present Value, Depreciation, Payback, and Cash
             Flow Analysis.

          Storage

          o  Complete grids (including all relationships and formats) can
             be saved and restored as VMS files. The names of the grids
             stored within a directory can be listed either one at a time,
             or as a group. The grid data storage format is unique to
             VAX DECalc. This format is not usually accessible to other
             programs.

             In addition to normal operating system security, grids can
             be stored keyed to a password. Without this password, grids
             cannot be restored.

          o  Dump-format Print files are standard ASCII files containing
             commands that reconstruct the grid. The grid can be re-
             created from a Dump file by reading it in as a Command file.

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          VAX DECalc, Version 3.1                             SPD 25.79.10



             A Dump Command file may also be mailed to others on the
             network.

          o  Print files are standard ASCII files that contain the image
             of a grid. Only the displayed values of boxes are included,
             thus the grid cannot be reconstructed from this type of
             file. These files are intended for printing and editing into
             documents.

             Any contiguous portion of the grid (up to 255 characters
             wide) can be output. A special default permits selection of
             the current window image. Multiple selections may be appended
             to a Print file, or written to any valid VMS filename speci-
             fied by the user. If the filename the user specifies already
             exists, then the user can choose to have the data appended to
             the existing file, or create a new version of the file.

          Integration

          o  VAX DECalc can also be used with VAX DECgraph. Spreadsheet
             data is loaded from VAX DECalc into VAX DECgraph to be manip-
             ulated and plotted as desired.

          o  VAX DECalc can be used with VAX DATATRIEVE. VAX DECalc uti-
             lizes VAX DATATRIEVE's callable interface to enable users
             to retrieve information from VAX DATATRIEVE for use in VAX
             DECalc, and to use VAX DATATRIEVE interactively.

          o  From within VAX DECalc users can access:

             -  A mail utility of their choice

             -  An editor of their choice

             -  The VMS DIRECTORY command to view the directory of their
                choice

             -  VMS DCL (may be disabled if desired)

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          VAX DECalc, Version 3.1                             SPD 25.79.10



          o  Using VAX Xway, users can translate grids from one spread-
             sheet format to another. Supported formats are DECalc/DECalc-
             PLUS, Lotus 1-2-3[TM], Multiplan [TM], DIF [R], and ASCII
             tabular, and ASCII field.

          LICENSE MANAGEMENT FACILITY SUPPORT

          This layered product supports the VMS License Management Facil-
          ity.

          License units for this product are allocated on a CPU-capacity
          basis.

          For more information on the License Management Facility, refer
          to the VMS Operating System Software Product Description (SPD
          25.01.xx) or the License Management Facility manual of the VMS
          Operating System documentation set.

          For more information about Digital's licensing terms and poli-
          cies, contact your local Digital office. HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

          VAX, MicroVAX, VAXstation, or VAXserver configuration as speci-
          fied in the System Support Addendum (SSA 25.79.10-x.)

          SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

          VMS Operating System
          VMS Workstation Software

          Refer to the System Support Addendum (SSA 25.79.10-x) for avail-
          ability and versions of required software.

          OPTIONAL SOFTWARE*

          VAX DECgraph
          VAX DATATRIEVE
          VAX Xway

          *  Refer to the System Support Addendum for availability and
             required versions of Prerequisite/Optional software (SSA
             25.79.10-x).

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          VAX DECalc, Version 3.1                             SPD 25.79.10



          ORDERING INFORMATION

          Software Licenses: QL-310A*-**
          Software Media: QA-310A*-**
          Software Documentation: QA-310A*-GZ
          Software Product Services: QT-310A*-**

          *  Denotes variant fields. For additional information on avail-
             able licenses, services and media, refer to the appropriate
             price book.

          SOFTWARE LICENSING

          This software is furnished under the licensing provisions of
          Digital Equipment Corporation's Standard Terms and Conditions.
          For more information about Digital's licensing terms and poli-
          cies, contact your local Digital office.

          SOFTWARE PRODUCT SERVICES

          A variety of service options are available from Digital. For
          more information, contact your local Digital office.

















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          VAX DECalc, Version 3.1                             SPD 25.79.10



          SOFTWARE WARRANTY

          Warranty for this software product is provided by Digital with
          the purchase of a license for the product as defined in the
          Software Warranty Addendum of this SPD.

          [R]   DIF is a registered trademark of Lotus Development Corpo-
                ration.

          [TM]  Lotus 1-2-3 is a trademark of Lotus Development Corpora-
                tion.

          [TM]  Multiplan is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

          [R]   The DIGITAL Logo is a registered trademark of Digital
                Equipment Corporation.

          [TM]  VMS, VAX, MicroVAX, VAXstation, VAXserver, VAX DECalc,
                VAX DATATRIEVE, DECwindows,VAX DECgraph and VAX Xway are
                trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.



















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