Simple maths calculator loop.


 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Top Forums Shell Programming and Scripting Simple maths calculator loop.
# 1  
Old 12-19-2011
Simple maths calculator loop.

Hi, I am trying to make a maths calculator that:

1. Prompts the user for a number.
2. Prompts the user for an operation (add, subtract, divide or multiply)
3. Prompts the user for a number.
4. Prompts the user for another operation (same as above) OR the option to get the result for the equation.
5. The script should loop back if the user chooses to add another operation, and ask for another number (repeat until result)

Now, i already have the arithmetic sorted, and i know i have to add an UNTIL loop, but i'm not very good with loops as i find them hard to understand.

Here is a copy of my code so far:

-----
Code:
echo "please enter a number"
read n1

echo "please choose an operation"
echo "1. add"
echo "2. subtract"
echo "3. divide"
echo "4. multiply"
read opr

echo "please enter a number again"
read n2

if [ $opr = "1" ]
   then
      echo $((n1+n2))
elif [ $opr = "2" ]
   then  
      echo $((n1-n2))
elif [ $opr = "3" ]
   then
      echo $((n1/n2))
elif [ $opr = "4" ]
   then
       echo $((n1*n2))

fi
exit 0

-----

Can anyone give me any pointers? I really have tried to look for solutions but this is my last hope. ANTHING WILL HELP. THanks

Moderator's Comments:
Mod Comment How to use code tags when posting data and code samples.

Last edited by Franklin52; 12-19-2011 at 12:56 PM.. Reason: Please use code tags for data and code samples, thank you
# 2  
Old 12-19-2011
Here are a couple of examples that should illustrate enough to get you going. You should be able to figure out how to 'plug' your code into a loop like one of these:

Code:
#!/usr/bin/env ksh

# simple loop examples
# this will work in both bash and kshell
buf="x"                         # seed to enter loop
while [[ -n $buf  ]]            # until they enter an empty buffer
do
    printf "enter a string or nothing to quit: "        # prompt
    read buf
    if [[ -n $buf ]]
    then
        printf "${buf//[aeiou]/}\n"                     # do something with valid input
    fi
done


# this illustrates a different technique, the prompt will only work in kshell
# the two command prompting mechanism from the previous example can 
# be substituted for portability. 
while true          # forever
do
    read buf?"enter a string or nothing to quit: "  # prompt and read user input
    if [[ -z $buf  ]]        # also (silently) support end of file
    then
        printf "\n"         # if they used ^D ensure prompt is on next line
        exit 0
    fi

    printf "${buf//[aeiou]/}\n"     # do something with user input and print
done                # loop for more

# 3  
Old 12-19-2011
Something like this:
Code:
echo -n "number:"
read res
PS3="select operation (ENTER=menu again, e=end):"
select f in add sub div mul
do
        [ "$REPLY" = "e" ] && break
        echo -n "number:"
        read n

        case "$f" in
                add)  (( res+=n )) ;;
                sub)  (( res-=n )) ;;
                div)  (( res/=n )) ;;
                mul)  (( res*=n )) ;;
        esac
        echo "res:$res"
done

echo "res:$res"

This User Gave Thanks to kshji For This Post:
# 4  
Old 12-19-2011
Using as much of the orginal code as possible we can create a simple "while true loop around the decision whether to quit or do another calculation. We enter the value for $n1 once at the top of the script and from that point on seed $n1 with the value of a running total in $total.

Code:
echo "please enter a number"
read n1

total=0

while true
do
     echo "please choose an operation (or press c/r to exit)"
     echo "1. add"
     echo "2. subtract"
     echo "3. divide"
     echo "4. multiply"
     read opr
     # Exit if user pressed carriage-return
     if [ "${opr}""X" = "X" ]
     then
         break
     fi

     echo "please enter a number again"
     read n2
     # Do the calculation required
     if [ $opr = "1" ]
         then
              total=$((n1+n2))
         elif [ $opr = "2" ]
         then  
              total=$((n1-n2))
         elif [ $opr = "3" ]
         then
              total=$((n1/n2))
         elif [ $opr = "4" ]
         then
              total=$((n1*n2))
     fi
     # Display running total
     echo ""
     echo "     Running total: $total"
     echo ""
     # Seed $n1 with the current value of $total
     n1=$total 
done

The modified script keeps on asking for more calculation on the running total until the user presses carriage-return.
You could add a line just before "break" to display "Final total is $total" if that is a requirement.
Try it and enjoy.

Last edited by methyl; 12-19-2011 at 08:38 PM.. Reason: inconsistent f1 n1
# 5  
Old 12-19-2011
And the cheats method ... using the unix command "bc".

Code:
echo "Enter calculation" ; read calc
echo "${calc}"|bc

10+10+10
30

1024*1024
1048576

((1000*1000)/25+(20*20))
40400

Login or Register to Ask a Question

Previous Thread | Next Thread

10 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting

1. Shell Programming and Scripting

Simple Scientific calculator for ADE, the UNIX environment for the AMIGA A1200(HD).

ADE is a UNIX environment for the ancient AMIGA A1200. By default this does NOT have the 'bc' command line calculator. Although I did a DEMO code to create a C source and compile it under python 1.4.0 and ADE using ksh88 and the gcc of the day, I decided to create this baby that requires no Python... (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: wisecracker
2 Replies

2. Homework & Coursework Questions

Simple Calculator

Use and complete the template provided. The entire template must be completed. If you don't, your post may be deleted! 1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known/data: Script a simple calculator. In the command line enter the script file /home/etc/mycalc or /home/etc/mycalc 1 +... (6 Replies)
Discussion started by: herb bertz
6 Replies

3. Shell Programming and Scripting

Simple calculator with menu input - Need Help

I am trying to make a calculator. The user Enters number 1, chooses and operation, enters number 2, then chooses another operation or for the answer to be displayed. eg. 1 + 1 = or 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = Both of these should be possible. #!/bin/bash read -p "what's the first number? " n1... (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: redshine6
3 Replies

4. Shell Programming and Scripting

a simple loop

Does any body can help me with a loop in this example? if then if then runner=$(grep "$1" "$2") runne=$(grep "$1" "$3") run=$(grep "$1" "$4") fi fi # # Message on screen... (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: bartsimpsong
3 Replies

5. Shell Programming and Scripting

Maths with variables

Hello, I'm trying to write a while loop for a decimal value in tcsh which I know can't be done. Instead I want my increments to be one order of magnitude too large and then divide it by 10 when I use the variable. However, I don't know how to divide my variable and set it as another. set... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: DFr0st
1 Replies

6. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Simple loop

I need to chmod a bunch of files with a specific extension in one directory. If I understand correctly first I would run ls command like this ls -R | grep .mp3 > /tmp/list once I have the output file I should be able to run a loop to chmod all the files in the list created. This is where... (5 Replies)
Discussion started by: eugenes18t
5 Replies

7. Shell Programming and Scripting

Simple using For loop

Hi expert, I'm using csh Code: #!/bin/csh set x = 0 set number = `awk '{array=$0} END {print array;}'` i want to use for loop to store data to $number repeatly untill x = 23 How to use c shell for loop? (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: vincyoxy
2 Replies

8. Shell Programming and Scripting

simple for loop

i have the following process running in background: when i give "ps -lef" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ user2 user1 user1 user3 user1 user4 user5 user4 user3 user4 user2 user1 user1 user3 user1 user4 (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: ali560045
3 Replies

9. Shell Programming and Scripting

a simple while loop

Hallo everyone I might just be being dumb, but I am using the BASH shell and cannot get the following script to work: x=0 while do echo $x x=´echo "$x + 1" | bc´ done Can anybody help me out. I am just get a repeating output saying: bc: command not found 0 + 1: command not... (5 Replies)
Discussion started by: syno
5 Replies

10. Shell Programming and Scripting

Problem with Maths

Heres a script i wrote as a bit of practise. What it does is insert a line in the middle of a file. The line being $1 and the file being $2 #!/bin/bash rm tempfile touch tempfile count=1 linenum= `wc -l < $2` if then echo $1 >> $2 else even=`expr "$linenum" % 2` if then... (3 Replies)
Discussion started by: Quesa
3 Replies
Login or Register to Ask a Question