Calculator

The Quasar Calculator is a built-in arithmetic tool available from every screen in the application. Unlike a typical on-screen calculator that only shows the current value, the Quasar Calculator features a scrolling calculation tape — a running transcript displayed alongside the keypad that records every number, operator, and result. This provides a clear audit trail showing exactly how a final answer was arrived at, making it easy to verify multi-step calculations. Access from the Calculator button in the top-right corner of any screen’s menu bar, or from the main window’s Calculator menu action.

Screen Layout

The calculator window is divided into two areas:

Keypad (left)

A standard arithmetic keypad arranged in a grid: digits 0–9, a decimal point, and operator buttons. Blue-highlighted digit keys provide visual separation from the grey operator keys.

Calculation Tape (right)

A read-only, right-aligned text panel that scrolls vertically. As you enter numbers and press operators, each step is appended to the tape on a new line. This builds a complete, readable record of the calculation — for example:

150.00
+ 25.50
x 2
= 351.00

The tape auto-scrolls to keep the most recent entry visible. It cannot be edited or clicked into — it is purely a display of calculation history.

Keypad Buttons

Button	Key	Description
0 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9	0–9	Enter digits. Each digit is appended to the current number and echoed to the tape.
.	. or ,	Decimal point. Both period and comma are accepted from the keyboard.
+	+	Addition operator. Writes + to the tape and begins the next number entry.
−	−	Subtraction operator, or negative sign if pressed before any value has been entered.
x	*	Multiplication operator.
÷	/	Division operator.
√	—	Square root. If a value is entered, computes the square root immediately and displays the result on the tape.
±	—	Sign toggle. Negates the current value and writes “Now” followed by the updated value to the tape, preserving the pending operator context.
=	Enter / Return / =	Evaluates the pending operation, writes the result prefixed with = to the tape, and locks the digit keypad until cleared.
C	—	Clear entry. Resets the current number and pending operator, writes “Cleared” to the tape, but preserves the tape history above.
←	Backspace	Deletes the last entered character (digit, decimal, or operator) from the tape and recalculates the current value.

Calculation Behaviour

Sequential Evaluation

The calculator evaluates operations in the order they are entered (left to right), not using algebraic precedence. For example, 2 + 3 x 4 evaluates as (2 + 3) x 4 = 20, not 2 + (3 x 4) = 14. Each operator triggers evaluation of the previous pending operation before recording the new one.

Operator Switching

If you press an operator immediately after another operator (before entering any digits), the new operator replaces the previous one on the tape rather than triggering a calculation. This allows you to correct an operator choice without affecting the result.

Negative Number Entry

Pressing the minus key (−) when no value has been entered yet (or after a clear) treats it as a negative sign rather than a subtraction operator, allowing direct entry of negative numbers.

Post-Equals Lockout

After pressing =, the digit keys are disabled to prevent accidental continuation. Press C (clear entry) or the Clear button to begin a new calculation.

Action Buttons

Button	Description
Clear	Completely resets the calculator: clears the tape, zeroes all values, and re-enables the keypad. Use this to start a fresh calculation session.
Cancel	Closes the calculator window without returning a value. Keyboard shortcut: Alt+X.

Keyboard Support

The calculator accepts full keyboard input, making it fast to use without the mouse. All digit and operator keys map directly to their on-screen equivalents:

Key	Action
0 – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9	Digit entry
+ − * /	Arithmetic operators
. or ,	Decimal point
Enter / Return / =	Evaluate (equals)
Backspace	Delete last character
Alt+X	Close calculator

Related Screens

Main Window