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Hello,
1. We have 64 bit version because:
a) several users asked for that 3+ years ago
b) 3 years ago there was all the "hype" about 64 bit coming and it looked as everyone would jump onto 64 bit soon and as AB is constantly leading
the innovation, I decided to implement AB in 64 bit
c) there was expectation that 64 bit will be faster
d) 64-bit version allows to use more than 4GB of RAM
2. Advantates:
a) allows you to use more than 4GB of RAM, which may speed up backtests for very, very large databases
b) Runs slightly faster, when EQUAL versions are compared. (The speedup is biggest in floating point calculations, so if you for example calculate FFT, or lots of artihmetic in AFL
you will see it. The "overall" speed however is mostly limited by memory/disk).
3. Limitations:
As of today NO data vendor provides 64 bit API . Therefore it is impossible to write 64 bit data plugins for those vendors.
Also any 3rd party plugins will not work UNLESS they are compiled with 64 bit compiler. General rule is that 64 bit application can only load
64 bit DLLs.
4. No, because of data vendors that do not provide 64 bit APIs.
5. Yes, AB 64 bit can use full 64 bit addressable space
6. Into two different directories
7. Yes, 32 bit AmiBroker runs under any 64 bit Windows (Vista and XP Professional x64 included)
8. It applies only to those who created their own DLL plugins.
"Why doesn't I do this for you?" - because I don't have your source files AND it is not as easy as just "compiling" because
moving to 64 bit also requires code review for any incompatibilites with 32 bit AND (in case of data plugins) because no data vendor offers 64 bit API
9. Simply use 32 bit version. It runs fine under 64 bit Windows and all plugins work exist and work OK.
10. No. 32 bit version is enough as it contains all features.
11. No
12. No, you don't have to. But if you experience Windows Vista "elevation prompt" (from OTHER apps, not AmIBroker) several times a day, you will quickly understand what the whole story is about.
The whole nervousness about "setting up for optimum performance" is somewhat overdone. In my opinion just leave the defaults and that is OK.
Instead of worrying about tweaking hardware and AB for 'optimum' perfomance you should rather make sure that no other software is consuming most of the resources.
Nowadays, computers are loaded with performance killers such as Norton Antivirus (and any other "real-time virus scanners"), Desktop search (that
constantly index all data on all hard disks), "accelerators" that decelerate your system, "enhancers" that cause compatiblity problems, firewalls that eat CPU,
and all other kind of programs that just eat the resources, etc, etc.
I am sorry, but I am busy with work on v5.13 so I will stop here.
Best regards,
Tomasz Janeczko
amibroker.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Herman
To: Tomasz Janeczko
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 10:16 AM
Subject: [amibroker] Is Amibroker x64 For "Traders"
TJ,
for us non-techies and non-programmers, those who simply want to trade, the whole 64 bit issue (mess) is utterly confusing and frustrating. We need a clear, comprehensive, and official opinion from AB on where we stand and how to set up AB for optimum performance. Contrary to your opinion this is, for the silent majority, not simple. For example:
- Why do we have AB64?
- What are the advantages of using AB64?
- What are the limitations of using AB64?
- Is AB64 of any use to real-time traders using real-time data?
- Is the greater memory range of V64 used by AB32?
- How do we install AB32 + AB64?
- Does AB32+all Plugins run under Vista64?
- It seems you are addressing programmers and not traders...What does it mean: "You need 64 bit compiler to compile your own plugins." If this is so simple wht doesn't AB do this for us?
9. What does a 64 Bit Vista user have to do to maintain ALL Amibroker capabilities?
10 we need to run BOTH AB32 and AB64 to enjoy all AB features?
11 Do we need two partitions... this has been mentioned a few times.
12 Do we, or do we not, have to fiddle with the UAC?
... Other 64 bit users please feel free to add your own questions here ...
Contrary to the general opinion that setting up AB for optimum performance is simple and easy this is, for most "Traders", not the case. We want to trade not become techies. I already spend a lot of time browsing, searching, emailing, buying hardware, changing orders, printing notes from many places, ... If I need another two week of this headache I'll chuck AB64.
Best regards,
herman
For tips on developing Real-Time Auto-Trading systems visit:
http://www.amibroker.org/userkb/
Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 2:32:04 AM, you wrote:
> Hello,
> First the performance increase was measured using version 4.90 (4.90 32 bit vs 4.90 64 bit).
> Since that time AFL engine has changed (there were significant speedups and assembly-level
> optimizations to the code).
> You can only compare *same* versions. So you would need to wait until 5.10 arrives
> because 5.10 again is faster than 5.00.
> The gain in 64 bit version had was due to the fact that extended instruciton set was used
> that had slightly faster floating point arithmetic (register based as opposed to stack based).
> Plugins work BUT only 64 bit versions of plugins. You need 64 bit
> compiler to compile your own plugins.
> Best regards,
> Tomasz Janeczko
> amibroker.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "dloyer123" <dloyer123@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 9:00 PM
> Subject: [amibroker] Re: Amibroker x64
>> Wow. That is a big performance gain. I am a bit surprised. Most 64
>> bit programs I have worked with, including databases have no
>> performance gain. The main advantage to 64bit is the ability to
>> address more memory in a single process.
>> Do plugins work at all? Or, do they just need to be built using
>> 64bit? I wrote a few myself, just performance hacks, so I can
>> rebuild them if I need to.
>> --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "sidhartha70" <sidhartha70@xxx>
>> wrote:
>>> http://www.amibroker.com/x64/
>>> Yes, it's about 25% faster... but it doesn't support real time
>>> feeds... so it's mainly of off-line use or backtesting.
>>> --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "dloyer123" <dloyer123@> wrote:
>>> >
>>> > Where can we find the 64bit download? I did not see it on the
>>> > download page.
>>> >
>>> > Also, is there an advantage to using the 64bit version? Is it
>> any
>>> > faster?
>>> >
>>> > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Tomasz Janeczko" <groups@>
>>> > wrote:
>>> > >
>>> > > Hello,
>>> > >
>>> > > Sometime in July 2008.
>>> > > x64 comes only with official releases because very few users
>>> > actually use 64 bit Windows
>>> > > (mainly because 64 bit windows are problematic due to lack of
>>> > drivers for many external hardware).
>>> > > Also no data vendor as of today offers 64-bit API. Until data
>>> > vendors catch up with 64 bit technology
>>> > > using of x64 version is limited to local database only.
>>> > >
>>> > > Best regards,
>>> > > Tomasz Janeczko
>>> > > amibroker.com
>>> > > ----- Original Message -----
>>> > > From: "tipequity" <l3456@>
>>> > > To: <amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> > > Sent: Monday, June 23, 2008 7:46 AM
>>> > > Subject: [amibroker] Amibroker x64
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > > Tomasz
>>> > > >
>>> > > > Have you set a date to release a x64 version of 5.1? If so,
>> when?
>>> > > > Addtionally, is it feasible to concurrectly publish a x64
>> version
>>> > of
>>> > > > the beta release?
>>> > > >
>>> > > >
>>> > > > ------------------------------------
>>> > > >
>>> > > > Please note that this group is for discussion between users
>> only.
>>> > > >
>>> > > > To get support from AmiBroker please send an e-mail directly
>> to
>>> > > > SUPPORT {at} amibroker.com
>>> > > >
>>> > > > For NEW RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENTS and other news always check
>> DEVLOG:
>>> > > > http://www.amibroker.com/devlog/
>>> > > >
>>> > > > For other support material please check also:
>>> > > > http://www.amibroker.com/support.html
>>> > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
>>> > > >
>>> > > >
>>> > > >
>>> > >
>>> >
>> ------------------------------------
>> Please note that this group is for discussion between users only.
>> To get support from AmiBroker please send an e-mail directly to
>> SUPPORT {at} amibroker.com
>> For NEW RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENTS and other news always check DEVLOG:
>> http://www.amibroker.com/devlog/
>> For other support material please check also:
>> http://www.amibroker.com/support.html
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
> ------------------------------------
> Please note that this group is for discussion between users only.
> To get support from AmiBroker please send an e-mail directly to
> SUPPORT {at} amibroker.com
> For NEW RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENTS and other news always check DEVLOG:
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