Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions
Is NumericBase intended to replace other spreadsheets?
Why do you think that NumericBase is object oriented?
Why do you think that NumericBase is a spreadsheet?
What programming languages did you use to create NumericBase?
What other features are you planning?
What is wrong with other spreadsheets?
Your animated screenshots are too slow, what to do?
I typed a formula, but it wouldn't evaluate.
Who wrote NumericBase?
Where did the idea of "what you know" come from?


Is NumericBase intended to replace other spreadsheets?
Not the current version - but we are working on it. 

Although NumericBase have numerous features that you can not find in any other spreadsheet, it still needs some more work to be able to replace other spreadsheets. See the list of planned features.

Why do you think that NumericBase is object oriented?
To qualify as "object oriented" , a computing environment must have three features: inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism. NumericBase have all three of them.

1. Inheritance. NumericBase gives you three different kind of inheritance: The base row, the base column, and the base table. (these features are called the base rules).
2. Encapsulation. You can use table construct to encapsulate your data. You can also instantiate tables under different parameters, and access information in other tables.
3. Polymorphism. You can use the same formula to fetch information from different kinds of tables. as shown in following listing:

Listing: a polymorphism example.

Why do you think that NumericBase is a spreadsheet?
We are using a  "liberal" definition of what spreadsheet is: any software program that let you enter arbitrary formulas in cells, let you refer to other cells, and provide instant calculation. If you adopt this definition, then NumericBase is a spreadsheet.

What programming language did you use to create NumericBase?
NumericBase was written using the C++ programming language, together with the WIN32 API.

What other features are you planning?
This is a partial list of planned NumericBase features:

1. Ability to print documents.
2. More complete undo/redo support.
3. Enhancing the Panel window to help you navigate solutions better.
4. Support for the current spreadsheet model - using digit/character combination to refer to other cells. 
5. Ability to import complete solutions from other spreadsheets.  
6. A good expression builder to help write solutions faster.
7. Ability to work as a small database - including ODBC support.
8. More support for various  kinds of charts.
9. UI builder to help build custom user interfaces.
10. Adding a query line to the table to filter information.
11. More features that relate to the core object-oriented strength of NumericBase.

What is wrong with other spreadsheets?
Other spreadsheet, pioneered by VisiCalc in 1981, makes it very easy to solve simple problems. However, they have some major disadvantages.

One disadvantage, is that due to their simple model, it is difficult to solve advanced problems. If you have an advanced problem, then solving it using  the standard spreadsheet model may not be the easiest path.

Another disadvantage is that it is difficult to understand existing solutions. Thiss is due to the repetitive-formula nature of the spreadsheet model, and due to the method in which you typically refer to other cells - using digit/character combination rather than meaningful names.

Your animated screenshots are too slow, what to do?
We have noticed that after prolonged use of the computer, the animated screenshots that are used in this web site tend to run too slow. Two things that you can do to view the animated screenshot in their normal rate (about 10 frames per second), is to close other applications, or to restart your computer.

I typed a formula, but it wouldn't evaluate.
You need to use the equal sign as the first character of the formula. See the formula appearance page for more details.

Who wrote NumericBase?
See the about/credits section.

Where did the idea of "what you know" come from?
Spheresoft has a product called "Modeler". The fundamental idea behind this product is "what you know modeling". NumericBase was influenced by this product and uses the same temperature conversion example.