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PureBytes Links
Trading Reference Links
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As a bona fide newbie, I will say that this list and its users have
been a tremendous help. I always try to go to the User Guide and UKB
first, but for someone just learning AFL, things can get confusing.
In the last two months, I've posted a few dumb questions on this board
and a few not so dumb. The snippets of code offered by members in
response, really helped me to understand things. Then the kind
programming of my trading ideas into AFL by a couple of volunteers,
really accelerated matters for me. I figure I made a year's worth of
progress in the last two months with that help vs without. In fact,
without that help I might have just given up at the six month mark, if
I was trying to figure this all out on my own.
Just ordered a copy of Howard's book thanks to this thread.
And Progster, thanks for the link to CFT. That looks to be a useful
resource. We need a web board, in addition to this Yahoo list, that
breaks things down into as many sub forums as possible - maybe not so
much for discussion (that's what Yahoo is for) but for archiving and
easier searching.
--- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Dennis Brown <see3d@xxx> wrote:
>
> 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@> 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.
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