skankman@ux1.lbl.gov (David Schurig) (03/16/90)
I have written an accounting program for the HP-28s, and if enough people are interested in using it I may be persuaded to post it with instructions and comments to the net. I had originally intended it for my personal use only, but after wasting quite a bit of time developing it I thought I might as well see if others are interested. The program requires knowledge of, and adheres to general accepted accounting principles. I have implemented the following aspects of accounting procedures: General Journal -enter transactions -view previously entered transactions -delete previously entered transactions -automatically generate closing entry transactions -print journal General Ledger -asset, liability, equity, revenue and expense accounts -check balance of account -insert account -delete account Account Alarms ( signals user if account exceeds or drops below limit ) -set account alarm -unset account alarm -check account alarm Some features of the program are as follows: -A hierarchy of menus are used to access various aspects of the program. -Account names are only entered when created. When account names need to be entered a menu of appropriate account names is displayed. -Transactions are built on the stack, thus edit may be used to correct lengthy transactions, and stack operations may be used to calculate entries. -Account balance requests return amount to the stack for further calculations. -Transactions are thoroughly checked and only balanced and correct transactions are posted. -User input is requested in a consistent manner in all parts of the program. -Only one function and one subdirectory appear in home directory . The other ~90 functions are hidden to prevent clutter. The program uses ~7 Kbytes for code. The memory used for data depends heavily on how many accounts are maintained, and how many transactions are entered between dumps to an output device. I have used the program to chart 50 to 60 accounts without non-human error for over a year now. A handheld is definitely the only way to go for personal finance. I find it very convenient to be able to enter transactions as I make them, thus my account balances are always up to date. I never worry about bounced checks or being rejected for a credit purchase, since I simply check the relevant account blances prior to purchase or rely on the the account alarms to inform me if the balances have reached too low or high a level. I have also found it not inconvenient to track my spending in many different areas. Interested? email me at skankman@ux1.lbl.gov. David Schurig Lawrence Berkeley Lab 1 Cyclotron Rd. MS 110A Berkeley, CA 94720