If you will need a math parser to let your application evaluate expressions at runtime, the very best way to appreciate
uCalc Fast Math Parser's advantage will be to first try other available parsers in your application. Take note of the limitations that you encounter. Then come back and try uCalc FMP to see the difference. Meanwhile, based on feedback from existing uCalc customers, here are a couple of things to consider as you compare parsers:
1.
Speed. Some parsers also bill themselves as "fast". In fact, you may find that several of them are comparable in speed to uCalc Fast Math Parser, when simple tests are performed. But once you start working with multiple expressions simultaneously, you find that uCalc is much faster. (Check to see if the other parser even lets you work with more than one expression at a time). The following link compares the speed of various math parser solutions. Notice how uCalc FMP is up to hundreds of times faster than Microsoft Script Control, depending on the test. If that page still has a 2007 date, then the comparison used an older and slower version of uCalc. The latest version of uCalc is even faster.
www.garybeene.com/reviews/rev-parsers.htm
2.
Price. There is a price for everyone.
- Standard License - If your company needs the full functionality offered by uCalc FMP, and/or if uCalc FMP will play an integral role in your application, then this might be the best option.
- Free License - This option is ideal for casual hobbyists, students, or individuals working on simple projects where a math parser is not a critical part of your application. You may also use the free license in commercial projects. However, this option does not include technical support. If you want just the basics -- the equivalent of other free parsers -- then the Free License might be all you need.
3.
Cost. Here are cost factors to consider:
- "Free" may not really be "free". Take careful note of whether the license for the other parser is free for commercial use, or if "free" is only for personal projects. What kind of support is offered? uCalc FMP is designed for commercial use up front. And once you pay, there are no additional royalty fees.
- "Free" may actually cost more. Limitations you encounter in "free" math parsers will likely cost your company much more than the price of the uCalc Standard license, once you factor in the time it takes to develop workaround solutions. Such solutions might be complex. So in addition to the time it takes to develop these solutions, you must take time to maintain them. Bugs can easily hide in complex workarounds, which can diminish sales of your products. If you simply work within the confines of another parser's limitations and create a less powerful product, this can also translate into fewer potential sales for your company.
- uCalc also has a free option. If you must use something "free" at all cost, you are still better off with uCalc's free license, instead of another parser, because it is the very same math parser engine, except with less functionality available. If you later decide you want advanced functionality, you will be able to use the same product you are familiar with, but with more features. The transition from the free license to the Lite or Standard license will be smooth. However, if you start with another parser before migrating to uCalc, although you'll find uCalc easy to implement, it may still cost you time to undo the older parser code in your program and replace it with uCalc.
4.
String handling. uCalc FMP goes beyond just math expressions. Expressions can include string data as well. Some other parsers simply do not support this, or have very limited string support.
5.
Ease of use. This can be considered subjective. However, uCalc is designed to require fewer and simpler lines of code than other parsers, so that you can spend more time solving problems than figuring out how to use the math parser.
6.
Flexibility. uCalc allows you to customize the syntax of expressions. It supports many data types (not just a generic numeric type). It lets you control how exceptions such as Division-by-0 or Overflow are handled. The list goes on.
7.
Scripting. People who are looking for a math parser sometimes need something with scripting ability. uCalc FMP is based on the underlying
uCalc Language Builder, which is designed specifically for dealing with scripting languages. The transition from uCalc FMP to scripting should be smooth.
