|
PureBytes Links
Trading Reference Links
|
Amen. Amen! AMEN!
While Tomasz has done so much to improve and expand the training/manual
since the early days (he really has!), the fact there is continual questions
on the same stuff or "small stuff", suggests there is still room for and
benefit from improvement.
I am constantly reminded (or remind myself) that Tomasz has to say "Read the
Manual". Some questions are almost obvious that a quick trip to help would
answer the question, but other "simple" questions are not. Many of us do
attempt to find the answers in help but cannot.
For example, yesterday, I wanted to know how to make subscripted arrays. I
did not remember that VarGet and VarSet was set up to do this. So a trip to
Help and typing in "subscripted arrays" found 9 entries none of which led me
to VarSet or VarGet. I think one of the improvements would be a search
system which allowed more complex search logic or strings, or some way to
zero in on the specific request. As Tomasz says, it is almost always in
there, it just is hard to find.
Ken
-----Original Message-----
From: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Dennis Brown
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 11:58 AM
To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [amibroker] Re: The best way to help newbies, oldies, ... and
AmiBroker ...
Brian,
You are correct. I switched to AB because I wanted a programming language
that was fundamentally tied into the realtime price arrays and the charting
for the same. RT quotes --> Database --> AFL -->
Charts. That was all I wanted, and that is pretty much all I use.
There is a lot of overhead associated with getting and maintaining the data,
interacting with the user, and outputting the the data in a useful form. I
only wanted to be concerned with the algorithms that decided to buy or sell.
Interestingly, even with all the support functions handled by AB, I still
spend 80% of my time coding UI things! I think it is some kind of computer
programming law.
AFL was my real destination with AmiBroker, and I had a hard time because it
was not well defined. A lot of assumptions were made about prior knowledge
of specific programming language conventions in C like languages. Languages
I had no experience with. These are middle level languages. My experience
was with machine level assembler code, and very high level like
Revolution/SuperCard/HyperCard, and a
smattering of BASIC and APL from the original versions 40 years ago.
I had no idea that I was supposed to go learn C syntax before I could use
the AFL documentation. IMHO this is a documentation hole big enough to
drive a truck through.
Then what happens when someone has no experience with any programming
language at all. Perhaps some Excel experience, or maybe experience using a
programmable calculator. I can't imagine the bewilderment with AFL. It
takes a lot of handholding from support or this list to get over the first
hump.
I believe it would be appropriate to define the AFL language in the
documentation as if it were the only language that exists on the planet.
For instance "+" is defined as "Addition". Whereas, in reality the "+"
operator is data type dependent. It will add two numbers, add a number to
every element in an array, add two arrays element by element, or concatenate
two strings. It will not add a number or array to a string.
As I have suggested before, I would have liked to see a "Complete"
listing of all operators, functions, reserved words, syntax characters,
directives, etc., in one live list index that points to a page that explains
each one in the same way that the functions are now described. Then
additional "see also" pointers on those pages to point to more in depth
documents when available. In fact the current functions list could simply
be expanded to do this.
This would have saved me many weeks off the learning curve.
I don't know if Howard is planning on doing this in his new book, but it
should be part of the on-line documentation.
Best regards,
Dennis
On Aug 28, 2008, at 10:34 AM, brian_z111 wrote:
> I didn't explain myself very well there.
>
> What I am saying is that I think we are making it harder by not
> admitting that it is a programmers program and just getting on with
> teaching AFL.
>
> If anyone held told me that at the start I would have run for it but
> the fact is that the help manual is about 'AmiBroker the program' but
> eventually I came to realise it is all about programming -
> specifically AFL.
>
> So, if I do want to get on with it where do I go?
>
> The AFL section of the help manual is condensed.
> The first few chapters of Howards Book are a basic intro to AB and the
> rest of the book is orientated around SystemDesign & Evaluation?
>
> Where is the next stop on the AFL line?
>
>
> brian_z
>
>
>
>
> --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "brian_z111" <brian_z111@xxx> wrote:
>>
>> Herman,
>>
>>> I always figured that sticking with AFL would have provided a more
>>> continuous path for users to develop their programming expertise.
>>
>> This is a new point, not really discussed much before, I think.
>>
>> I really don't know how to put it in words but you are so right.
>>
>> Tomasz should be proud of me because if I am a programmer at all I
> am
>> an array programmer...... but sometimes I am left reaching for AFL?
>>
>> Perhaps there are conventions that people with 2 or more
> programming
>> languages automatically understand?
>>
>> Do I have to go and learn C++ as well.
>>
>> Should I need too?
>>
>> brian_z
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> 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:
http://www.amibroker.com/devlog/
For other support material please check also:
http://www.amibroker.com/support.html
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:amibroker-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
mailto:amibroker-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
amibroker-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
|