What is BC?
Arithmetic operations are the simplest operation that we can perform in a programming language. When we start learning a certain language, we clear our basics through these operations only, and it helps us form a pace in the same. Operating systems such as Linux or Unix bring forth the bc command and the expr command for performing and evaluating various mathematical operations. Bc command is often exercised in the context of the command-line calculator. It is familiar to a normal calculator and can easily perform mathematical calculations while writing programs. It stands for Basic Calculator. We can also use them to interact in bash or shell scripts to estimate mathematical expressions.
When using the bc command, we must keep this in mind because we have to set the value of a built-in variable that we refer to as 'scale'. Scale variable is generally used for setting the number of decimal places in a given equation, data, or simply a specific value.
Sometimes, we also refer to it as 'Bash Calculator' as it can also perform floating-point mathematical operations.
BC command is initially used to assist unpredictable accuracy of values and the coordinated implementation of declarations. Initially, it grasps the code provided by the user and from all the files which are mentioned in the command list in a certified order. When all the files are processed, the bc command starts its procedure of reading and analyzing everything from the provided input. Once everything is completed, the code starts being executed as it is read. Optically, the bc command is used in shell script where they make use of the 'here' document to pass on the program details to bc.
It appears to be working in a very collaborative or, in simple terms, a coordinated mode where it easily grasps input from a given terminal and passes on the calculations when requested. Its contexts are similar to that of the C programming language. It is generally defined before processing any file. We must include a standard math library before the main function to run our code.
Features of BC Command
The BC command supports the following features, such as:
- Arithmetic Operators
- Increment and Decrement Operators
- Assignment Operators
- Comparison and Relational Operators
- Logical or Boolean Operators
- Math functions
- Conditional statements
- Iterative statements
Function Supported by BC
BC supports the following diverse functions:
Length (expression)
This function technically represents the total number of digits present in the expression.
Read ()
This function is generally used in reading an input value irrespective of where it is defined in the source code. It is best for a previously written code that only requires input from a user.
Scale (expression)
It is generally used for setting the number of decimal places in a given equation, data, or simply a specific value.
Sqrt (expression)
It is used for setting the number of digits after the decimal point in a given expression.
++ var
This function increments a given variable and places the new value as the result of the expression obtained.
var++
In this function, the result of the given expression is the variable's value, and then the variable is incremented by one.
–var
This function decrements a given variable by one and places the new value as the result of the expression obtained.
Var—
In this function, the result of the given expression is the variable's value, and then the variable is decremented by one.
(expr)
In this, we provide the parenthesis to exceed the precedence and deliberate the evaluation of a certain expression.
Var = expr
The variable 'var' is generally used to assign a given expression value.
What is BC Package?
The BC calculator proves to be command-line profitability, advancing more than just a simple scientific or financial calculator. It is well known to be a language that reinforces arbitrary precision of numbers with interactive execution of the statement. It has syntax much similar to that of a C programming language.
How do You Exit BC?
To exit a BC command, you can echo quit/ bc- q gpay> tgpay, which will enact like escaping quit right from the keyboard. On the contrary, there is another option available where you can type bc tgpay, which will directly pass on the data of gpay to stdin, and then the bc will be running in the non-interactive mode.
Syntax
If [ $# != 1]
then
echo “A number argument is needed”
exit
fi
bc <<END-OF-INPUT
scale = 6
/* first we state the function */
state myfunc(z){
return (sqrt(z) + 10);
}
/* then simply use the function to do the calculation */
z = $1
“Processing”; z ; “result is”; myfunc(z)
quit
END-OF-INPUT echo “(to 6 decimal places)”