Sharp PC-1403

Sharp PC-1403

200px Sharp PC-1403 handheld BASIC computer
Type	Pocket computer
Introduced	1986
Calculator
Entry mode	Infix, BASIC,
Display type	LCD dot-matrix
Display size	24 characters
CPU
Processor	CPU: Hitachi SC61860 (8-bit CMOS)
Frequency	768 kHz
Programming
Programming language(s)	Unstructured BASIC
User memory	8 KB
Firmware memory	72 KB
Interfaces
Ports	1x proprietary (11 pins)
Other
Power supply	2x CR2032
Power consumption	0.03 W

The Sharp PC-1403 was a small scientific calculator and pocket computer manufactured by Sharp. It was the successor of the Sharp PC-1401, and had better display, more RAM and better system software.

Technical specifications

File:Sharp PC-1403H front.jpg

File:Sharp PC-1403H rear.jpg

• CPU: Hitachi SC61860 (8-bit CMOS) 768 kHz
• Memory: 8 KB RAM (6863 bytes available), 72 KB ROM; 32 KB RAM in PC-1403H model
• Display: Monochrome LCD 1 line with 24 5×7 characters
• Power: 6 V DC - 2× CR2032, 0.03 W
• Connector (11 pins) for external devices
• Integrated speaker (4 kHz beep only)
• Contrast adjustment wheel
• Software: Simple BASIC interpreter; calculator mode
• Matrix calculations

Manufacturing started in 1986.

Calculator

Calculations could be performed in two modes CALulator and RUN. In the former the PC-1403 would behave like a normal scientific calculator at the time with formulas entered in algebraic logic or in RUN mode BASIC statements could be entered for immediate execution and print out. The later was similar to the Direct algebraic logic employed by modern calculators.

Programming

The programming model employed was unstructured BASIC for which the PC-1403 distinguished between RUN and PROgram mode. The later being used to enter and edit program and the former being used to execute them.

Programming example

Here is a sample program that computes the factorial of an integer number from 2 to 69. It can be called by pressing DEF F in run mode. The program is 66 bytes long.

10 "F"                                 ''allows to start the program with DEF F
20 INPUT "N=?";N                       ''Ask for n
30 LET F=1                             ''Set start value of F to 1
40 FOR I=1 TO N STEP 1                 ''counts I from 1 to N
50 LET F=F*I                           ''calculates F=F*I
60 NEXT I                              ''repeats loop from line 40
70 PRINT USING "##";N;"!="; USING ;F   ''print result - i.E. 5!=120
80 END                                 ''end of program