A computing utility that allows instant computation at your desktop.
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Dicom calculates, converts and computes. The first ever computing tool that
deals with dimensions of physical quantities in mathematical expression, Dicom,
has the answer to expression like: 30 mi./h.+6 ft./s.+15.24 m./s. to ft./s. Dicom can evaluate expressions anywhere in a rich text formatted document. It
has a built-in rich text editor. Process your words, numbers, and measurements
at one place. Good luck!!!
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Yes, conventional software based calculator usually simulates the real calculators. Dicom has a calculator which is very different. It is rather an expression
evaluator. And probably for the first time, you can evaluate dimensional
expression. It has a unit converter too. That allows you to quickly convert from
one unit to another. And as stated already, it has a built in rich text editor
that can process texts as well as dimensional expressions.
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6*5/3+2-1 is a mathematical expression, for example. This expression is dimension-less. The result of the expression is 11. But it is just a number and does not represent any physical quantity like length, mass, time, etc., unless you explicitly mention what it represents.
On the other hand, 30 mi./h.+6 ft./s.+15.24 m./s. is another mathematical expression which has got dimensions of physical quantities. In this expression mi.,h., ft., s., and m., are mile, hour, feet, second, and meter respectively that represent either length or time. Thus each term of the expression has two dimensions, length and time. In combination they represent the speed or velocity of something. You can express the result of a dimensional expression to another consistent or homogeneous unit. To express the result in ft./s., for example, you need to write following expression in dicom:
30 mi./h.+6 ft./s.+15.24 m./s. to ft./s.
Dicom will happily respond to that, giving you the result, which is of course
100 ft./s.
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There are seven base quantities, assumed to be mutually independent, on which the International System of Unit (SI) is founded. Following table describes these base units.
Table: SI Base Units| No. | Base quantity | Name | Symbol |
| 1 | length | meter | m |
| 2 | mass | kilogram | kg |
| 3 | time | second | s |
| 4 | electric current | ampere | A |
| 5 | thermodynamic temperature | kelvin | K |
| 6 | amount of substance | mole | mol |
| 7 | luminous intensity | candela | cd |
In addition there are two SI supplementary units (so-called dimension less derived unit): the radian, the SI unit of the quantity plane angle; and the steradian, the SI unit of the quantity solid angle. Supplementary units are as follows:
Table: SI Supplementary Units| No. | Base quantity | Name | Symbol |
| 8 | plane angle | radian | rad |
| 9 | solid angle | steradian | sr |
Dicom deals with all these independent units or dimensions plus another special unit for currency. A total of 10 dimensions, that Dicom can consider to evaluate an expression.
Table: Dicom Special Unit for Currency
| No. | Base quantity | Name | Symbol |
| 10 | currency | us dollar | USD |
Although, Dicom can recognize around 90 physical quantities and 650 units, it
is not limited to this set. User can easily add new physical quantity and unit
to the Dicom database. Once added to the database, user-defined units can be
used exactly like Dicom factory-defined units in a dimensional expression.
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Dicom document is rich text formatted (RTF) file, which is portable across
many applications and platforms. Dicom document, however, is not meant to be a
word processed file, there are already robust software to do that business of
word processing. In a Dicom document you can write your formatted text and
expression together which form the Dicom Input Document. Later you can process
the file to evaluate the expressions within the document. Dicom will generate a
corresponding Output Document.
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Dicom can be useful in many areas, especially in science and
engineering. Besides the need of quick calculation or unit conversion, some
possible applications of Dicom can be, design verification, quick estimates,
surveying, laboratory calculation, research, student's work sheet, etc. If you find Dicom
is helpful in your area, the Author would be pleased to know about that along
with your comments and suggestions.
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DICOM version 4.0,
www.knowbotron.com
Copyright © 2002, Debasish C Saha