AAC Based Scientific Calculator

A scientific calculator project with multiple implementations - all with the aim to work with AAC Software:

1. Vanilla HTML Calculator. This is the current main way we recommend to use this. Its offline, works in the browser and as such as a webview in a AAC software system such as the Grid. Try it here
2. Python CLI Calculator. This is a command line calculator that can be used in any system that can execute Python scripts. It requires either a pythoon interpreter or a comppiled version. We build this together with a web server that can be used to serve the calculator. IF you want/must have a calculator with minimal screen space eg. in the message bar you need this
3. React Version. This is a modern React implementation of the calculator. It is a work in progress and does not yet have all the features of the other implementations.

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Vanilla HTML Calculator

Located in /vanilla-html/

See a demo of this in action here

• Single HTML file calculator that runs in any browser
• No dependencies or installation required
• Supports keyboard shortcuts and memory operations
• Windows installer available for Grid 3 integration

Features

• Basic arithmetic operations (+, -, *, /)
• Scientific functions (sin, cos, tan, log, etc.)
• Memory operations
• Expression history with recall
• Adjustable decimal places (0-15)
• Radians/Degrees toggle
• Unicode math symbol support
• Algebraic expressions
• Random number generation
• Bracket completion preview

Input Methods

The calculator accepts both text and Unicode math symbols:

Text Input	Symbol Input	Description
sqrt(x)	√x	Square root
pi	π	Pi constant
*	×	Multiplication
/	÷	Division
^2	²	Square
^3	³	Cube
e	ℯ	Euler's number

Example Expressions

Basic Math

2 + 2 = 4
1/2 × 20 = 10
√16 = 4
π × 2 = 6.283185307

Scientific Functions

sin(45) = 0.7071067812
log(100) = 2
√(π) = 1.7724538509

Random Numbers

rand() = 0.7324846372         # Random number between 0-1
floor(rand() * 6) + 1 = 4    # Roll a die (1-6)
floor(rand() * 100) + 1 = 42 # Random number 1-100

Algebraic Expressions

x^2 + 2x + 1                 # Quadratic expression
2x + 2y                      # Linear expression with variables

Memory Operations

• Store current result: Ctrl/⌘ + P (M+)
• Subtract from memory: Ctrl/⌘ + M (M-)
• Recall memory: Ctrl/⌘ + R (MR)

Line References with @

Maybe slightly easier that using M+,M- etc you can reference previous results using the @ symbol followed by the line number. Each line in the history is numbered for easy reference.

1. 10 + 5 = 15
2. 20 + 12.5 = 32.5
3. @2−@1 → (32.5)−(15) = 17.5

Examples

• @1 references the result from line 1
• 1000 - @3 subtracts line 3's result from 1000
• @2 * @1 multiplies results from lines 2 and 1
• floor(@1 * 6) uses line 1's result in a function

The calculator will show both your expression with @ references and the expanded calculation with actual values.

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Enter or = - Evaluate expression
• Escape - Clear workpad
• ↑ - Previous expression
• ↓ - Next expression
• Alt/⌘ + D - Toggle Degrees/Radians
• Ctrl + (0-9) - Set decimal places

Tips

• Brackets are automatically completed as you type
• History is scrollable and expressions can be recalled
• Click the DP button or use Ctrl + number to set decimal places
• Toggle between degrees/radians for trigonometry
• Unicode symbols can be typed directly or using text equivalents

Installation

Download the latest installer from the Releases page.

Python CLI Version

Located in /python-cli/

• Command-line interface calculator
• Python implementation with web server option
• Clipboard integration
• Designed for AAC software integration

Features

• Command-line operation
• Clipboard monitoring mode
• Web server interface
• Full mathematical function support

Examples

scicalc "2+2"              # Basic arithmetic
scicalc "sin(30)"          # Trigonometry (degrees)
scicalc "log₂(8)"         # Logarithms
scicalc "√16"             # Square root
scicalc "5!"              # Factorial
scicalc "200+10%"         # Percentages
scicalc "2π"              # Implicit multiplication
scicalc "2EE3"            # Scientific notation

Output Formats

You can control how results are displayed using the --return option:

scicalc --return answer "2+2"        # Only shows the result: "4"
scicalc --return answer,calc "2+2"   # Shows both: "4\n2+2 = 4"
scicalc --return full "2+2"          # Shows full: "2+2 = 4" (default)

Clipboard Integration

The calculator can interact with the system clipboard in two ways:

Watch Mode

scicalc --readpasteboard

This mode continuously monitors your clipboard. When you copy a mathematical expression, it automatically calculates the result and updates the clipboard with both the expression and its result. Great for doing a series of calculations!

Output to Clipboard

scicalc --output-to-pasteboard "2+2"

This copies the result directly to your clipboard instead of displaying it. Can be combined with --return options:

scicalc --output-to-pasteboard --return answer "2+2"  # Only copies the number

Note: You cannot use --output-to-pasteboard with --readpasteboard

Integration with AAC Software

This calculator is designed to work seamlessly with AAC software. The command-line interface makes it easy to:

• Call from any AAC software that can execute commands
• Copy results to clipboard for pasting
• Use with keyboard shortcuts or switch access

Example AAC Integration

1. Basic Calculation: Set up a button that runs:

   scicalc --return answer "YOUR_EXPRESSION"

2. Clipboard Watch Mode: Create a button for continuous calculation:

   scicalc --readpasteboard

   Then users can copy expressions and get results automatically.

3. Direct to Clipboard: For AAC systems that work better with clipboard:

   scicalc --output-to-pasteboard --return answer "YOUR_EXPRESSION"

Development

Requirements

• Python 3.8 or higher
• Dependencies listed in pyproject.toml
• uv (Python package installer)

Setup Development Environment

# Install uv if you haven't already
curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

# Clone and install
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/scicalccli.git
cd scicalccli
uv pip install -e ".[test]"

Running Tests

uv run pytest

Input Methods

The calculator accepts both text and Unicode math symbols:

Text Input	Symbol Input	Description
sqrt(x)	√x	Square root
pi	π	Pi constant
*	×	Multiplication
/	÷	Division
^2	²	Square
^3	³	Cube
e	ℯ	Euler's number

Examples:

• 2×π or 2*pi → 6.283185...
• √25 or sqrt(25) → 5
• 3² or 3^2 → 9

Both notation styles work interchangeably, so you can mix and match based on your preference.

React Version

Located in /react/

• Modern React implementation
• Component-based architecture
• Enhanced UI/UX
• Work in progress

(NB: this was the precursor to the vanilla html version. We are not actively developing it further. I ❤️ old skool html)

Development

Each implementation has its own development setup. Its pretty obvious. Read the code.

License

GPL-3.0

Credits

• Will Wade @ AceCentre
• Marion & Katie Stanton @ Candle for nudging me towards how to do this
• Desmos for the math rendering engine inspiration (its still good and free! but there is no clear shortcut and its not easy to run offline)

User Testing / Inspiration

• Patrick McCabe and Failbroome Academy for the initial idea and testing