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In the very early days of my Amibroker learning curve, The best help that I
received was from this board when an experienced user was kind enough to
quickly code an example or what I was asking.
Then, I would play with what they had given me, and I started to understand
how to use Amibroker.
For example, REF(c>ref(c,2),5); says that the close that happened five days
ago has to be higher than the close that happened on the sixth day ago.
Whereas, SUM(c>ref(c,2),5); only requires that any one or more of the
closes over the last five days has to be higher than the previous days
close.
The above examples of simple english explanations from this board are how I
started learning Amibroker. Ron D
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Close" <ken45140@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 12:15 PM
Subject: RE: [amibroker] Re: The best way to help newbies, oldies, ... and
AmiBroker ...
> 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
>
>
>
------------------------------------
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
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