HP-28S Syntax Errors

[William N Strew]

I have had a 28C for years and have had no problem with programming. Two weeks ago I bought a 28S (for more memory). It passed the self-test and keyboard test with no problem. I pulled out my "Mathematical Applications" booklet for the HP-28S and tried to use some of the programs. Most of the time, I receive "syntax error". A even used a second pair of eyes (a college student neighbor) to make sure I have input correctly and exactly what was written in the booklet. The same thing, "syntax error". This is VERY frustrating. I would appreciate any advice/ideas on this.

[Luiz C. Vieira (Brazil)]

Hi.

Can you provide more details? Like:

- last operation(s) prior to 'Syntax Error' message;

- arguments (data) in the stack levels;

- programs listings (the ones causing 'Syntax Error' message)

Just to guide us through and allow us to understand - and even replicate - these errors.

Cheers.

Luiz (Brazil)

[William N Strew]

Thanks Luiz. I was hoping you would respond. Give me some time to get this together. Also having the same trouble with the various step by step guides for it, Stats, college algebra, etc.

[William N Strew]

PROOT Main Program:

Program start (pointing left)
LIST (arrow pointing right), space, (arrow pointing right)ARRY
DUP 1 GET /
ARRY(arrow pointing right) LIST(arrow pointing right) space DROP 1
- DUP 2 + ROLL DROP
{NEG QUD CUBIC QUAR}
SWAP GET EVAL
Program end (pointing right)

I get syntax errors on: divide sign on line 2, both arrow signs on line 3, - and + signs on line 4, brackets on line 5.

This is unreal. Hope you can help. It basically doesn't like anything in this program. This is just one example of the problems I've been having.

[Gerson W. Barbosa]

It works perfectly here:

« LIST-> ->ARRY DUP 1

GET / DROP 1 - DUP 2

+ ROLL DROP { NEG

QUD CUBIC QUART }

SWAP GET EVAL

»

You can either use the alpha keys or the menus and soft keys (the first row in the main keyboard) to enter the program:

Method 1:

Press « L I S T ALPHA SHIFT -> SPACE SHIFT -> A R R Y SPACE D U P SPACE 1 ...

Method 2:

Press « SHIFT E LIST-> SHIFT A ->ARRY SHIFT G DUP 1 ...

SHIFT is the red key

ALPHA is the alpha key

SPACE is the space key

HTH

Gerson.

Edited: 15 July 2012, 3:25 p.m.

[Gerson W. Barbosa]

Quote:

---

Program start (pointing left) LIST (arrow pointing right),

---

Try Program start (pointing left) LIST alpha (arrow
pointing right). It appears you're entering LIST -> instead of LIST->.

alpha is the alpha key in the second keyboard at the lower right position.

[William N Strew]

Thanks so much AGAIN. I programmed it and it worked. Also programmed the curve fitting programs. Worked. You folks are invaluable.

[Luiz C. Vieira (Brazil)]

Hi.

I am glad to see that Gerson has already helped you the way you needed. That's totally good news, indeed!

I just would like to add that I had an HP28C for some time, but I must admit it was not time enough to use its features 'by heart', I mean when you no longer need to remember which key sequence does this or that, instead the subconscious part of your brain just takes control of your fingers and Voilà! It is done! And I gladly say it did not happen because there are some small differences in some modes and key responses from the hP28C to the HP28S that surely may cause some of these syntax errors. While in program entry mode, both the HP28S and the HP28C add extra spaces to the left of the input character - or sequence of characters, if a function/command key is pressed - as an aid to consistency entry syntax, and this consistency changes with the context if you change to algebraic mode while in program mode. The problem is that the HP28S does not react the same way to some keys as the HP28C when changing the entry mode while in program entry mode, which is done with the [ALPHA] key, when pressed more than one time in a sequence (cyclic entry mode selection). This way you can enter an algebraic object or a sequence with algebraic entry mode inside of a program.

I had to reconfigure my briefly trained brain to the new concepts in the HP28S, but later the HP48S added some extra, new, different key responses. Now I cannot remember them at all, must try the keys, look at the display and correct the command line prior to enter it, if applicable...

Cheers!

Luiz (Brazil)

Edited: 15 July 2012, 5:23 p.m.