Last Updated : 22 Oct, 2024
The dc command is a versatile calculator found in Linux systems, operating using reverse Polish notation (RPN). This command allows users to perform arithmetic calculations and manipulate a stack, making it ideal for complex mathematical tasks directly from the command line.
SyntaxThe basic syntax for using the dc command is as follows:
dc [OPTION] [file ...]Examples of dc Command Example 1: Basic Addition
To illustrate how dc works, consider this simple example:
echo "5 3 + p" | dc
Output: 8
In this case, the command adds 5 and 3, then prints the result.
Example 2: Basic Arithmetic Operations Example 3: Changing Output Radix Note: In second example, the output changes because we changed the output-radix. Key Options Commonly Used with the CommandThe dc command includes several options and operations for stack manipulation. Below is an overview of some essential commands:
Command Operation p Prints the value on the top of the stack and ends the statement with a newline. n Prints the value on the top of the stack and ends the line with a null statement. f Prints the entire stack, without any alteration. P Pops the value from the top of the stack. c Clear the stack. d Duplicates the top value and push it into the main stack. r Reverses the order of top two elements in the stack. Z Pops the value from the stack, calculate the number of digits in it and pushes that number. X Pops the value from the stack, calculate the number of fraction digits in it and pushes that number. z Pushes the stack length into the stack. i Pops the value from the stack and uses it as input radix. o Pops the value from the stack and uses it as output radix. k Pops the values from the stack and uses it to set precision. I Pushes the value of input radix into the stack. O Pushes the value of output radix into the stack K Pushes the precision value into the stack.The dc command provides a powerful means to perform arithmetic operations directly from the terminal. Its use of reverse Polish notation may take some getting used to, but its ability to handle arbitrary precision makes it a valuable tool for both simple calculations and more complex mathematical tasks.
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