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Sidhartha,
Thanks for asking, I would be glad to explain. I don't expect
everyone helping will be able to understand what I was referring to
unless they have used AFL this way before. I have, and I know some of
the old hands have.
The basic Idea is that AFL is a general purpose programming language
in it's own right within its domain. AFL has the ability to read a
text file and write a text file. AFL has plenty of text string
functions and the ability to create string arrays after a fashion with
functions that can dynamically name variables. It also has a
parameter UI window that allows for numbers, flags, and strings to be
passed to the program and buttons to "Do it now". So all the
programming elements are available to take a text file, parse its
contents and write out another file based on user selections.
So then, an AFL program could be written that based on user input
could generate a file with the desired format. That format might be
an abbreviated glossary that just included AFL program elements with
their calling syntax that could be printed out as a cheat sheet. Or
the format might be an HTML document that could be uploaded to the UKB.
A third option is possible, but I don't know how to do this one. That
would be to write a program in JavaScript that ran on a web page and
dynamically generated the HTML formats from user inputs. I am sure it
will come to that eventually, but even fewer could help with that or
change it for their own uses.
I am proposing something simple that can be shared and is in the realm
of "Rapid Prototyping" of a solution that can be institutionalized
later by the pros.
BR,
Dennis
On Sep 2, 2008, at 8:06 AM, sidhartha70 wrote:
> Dennis,
>
> Can you expand, practically & operationally, on how you would see this
> AFL program working...? It's still not quite clear to me.
>
> Thanks
>
> --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Dennis Brown <see3d@xxx> wrote:
>>
>> Keith you are inspiring my thinking,
>>
>> I am going to formally propose a two pronged approach to move forward
>> from here.
>>
>> 1. We create a simple text only template to gather information
>> initially for the glossary project -- more than one person can work
>> in
>> parallel gathering data.
>>
>> 2. We write a simple AFL program that reads in this text file, and
>> generates an output text file in whatever format we want.
>>
>> As ridiculous at it sounded when I first wrote it, I am not so sure
>> it
>> is a bad idea anymore. We all have AB running on our machines and we
>> all know (or are learning) how to make AFL programs. So even though
>> a VB or JS or C++ or EMACS or whatever language might be the best
>> choice for one of us, AFL is a common denominator. And it will
>> make a
>> great example too of using it for something useful other than
>> trading.
>>
>> The output file could be just like what you generated or it could an
>> HTML file complete with links inserted that could sit in the UKB.
>>
>> This approach would keep us from having to define and fiddle with
>> formatting issues on a finished document that could slow us down or
>> limit the ultimate uses of the data. Instead we could concentrate on
>> gathering the data as one phase and formatting the output in another
>> phase. The two phases can be independent and actually proceed in
>> parallel. The skills needed are different for each. We could even
>> have two different AFL programs. One to generate text documents and
>> another for HTML docs. It takes a different skill set to know how to
>> generate HTML vs just a text document. We can use parameters to
>> define the formatting we want. Also anyone would be free to write
>> any
>> other formatting program in any other language they want to generate
>> other outputs.
>>
>> New data can be added at any time without messing with formats later,
>> because it is auto generated from the raw data. Since formatting is
>> not an issue we could take a integrated or distributed approach to
>> the
>> initial data phase. People can take a section and work on it as a
>> separate text doc and merge them later, or we could use a
>> collaborative doc editing setup on the web. Either way or both way
>> would work to start with. The collaborative way might be better for
>> the long term, but I am no expert on these setups --I usually work
>> alone at home on local data.
>>
>> Suggested template filled out for abs and CCIa examples:
>> Notes: a n t for data type, 'for text of arg (see examples),
>> unused fields can be deleted without harm, only Entry: is required.
>>
>> Entry: abs()
>> Returns: a n
>> Args: a n
>> ABLink: http://www.amibroker.com/guide/afl/afl.php?id=3
>> UKBLink:
>> VideoLink:
>> Name: Absolute value
>> Use: Returns absolute value of a number or array
>> ABVer: 1.0
>> Hierarchy: Functions, Math
>> Tags: absolute, sign, positive
>> Related: sign()
>>
>> Entry: CCIa()
>> Returns: a
>> Args: a, n 'period=14
>> ABLink: http://www.amibroker.com/guide/afl/afl.php?id=29
>> UKBLink:
>> VideoLink:
>> Name: Commodity Channel Index
>> Use: Returns Commodity Channel Index of an array
>> ABVer: 4.2
>> Hierarchy: Functions, Indicators
>> Tags: CCI, Woodie, overbought, oversold
>> Related: CCI()
>>
>> Comments?
>>
>> Best regards,
>> Dennis
>>
>> On Sep 1, 2008, at 6:14 PM, Dennis Brown wrote:
>>
>>> Keith,
>>>
>>> Thanks, Nice work. You put some good thought into this.
>>>
>>> I like the way you added the full calling form and array vs number
>>> and I suppose a t for text results.
>>>
>>> An extract of a couple of simple ones from your doc for everyone to
>>> see:
>>>
>>>
>>>> The 'a' and 'n' at the beginning of each function below indicates
>>>> that the function returns an 'array' or a 'number' respectively.
>>>> Some functions return neither, while some can return either.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> AB -- AmiBroker
>>>>
>>>> Search: amibroker.com, TJ, Tomasz Janeczko
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> a n abs(a|n) -- absolute value.
>>>>
>>>> Search: math, sign
>>>>
>>> I could see this also as a good *generated* output format from the
>>> basic data set. Could we have our cake and eat it too? Meaning
>>> have an input format that captures potentially more information, and
>>> automatically generate this or similar documents that can be
>>> downloaded or uploaded to the UKB.
>>>
>>> Comments?
>>>
>>> BR,
>>> Dennis
>>>
>>> On Sep 1, 2008, at 5:23 PM, Keith McCombs wrote:
>>>
>>>> Dennis and others --
>>>> I've started a very simple version of a glossary, just plain text
>>>> and no columns or links. As simple is it is, I believe that it
>>>> satisfies the primary need -- helping the user find what to look
>>>> for in the already existing documentation.
>>>>
>>>> If I include it in this Yahoogroups form, it gets all reformatted
>>>> and is difficult to read. Therefore, I've uploaded it to:
>>>> http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/files/ Look for:
>>>> "Preliminary AB Glossary km080901-1.doc"
>>>>
>>>> BTW, I tried to put it in Googledocs in both .odt and .doc formats,
>>>> but Googledocs wouldn't include the leading spaces in sentences.
>>>> And I'm not very good at using 'cryptic' indentation techniques.
>>>> If we were to do shared documents on Googledocs, would I have to
>>>> learn the 'cryptic' secrets?
>>>>
>>>> -- Keith
>>>>
>>>> Dennis Brown wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Keith,
>>>>>
>>>>> Great! I can't wait to see what you come up with. 20 sounds like
>>>>> a lot to tackle first round though.
>>>>>
>>>>> I have been trying to think about what KIND of information (not th
>>>>> e actual format) would be useful to include also. We don't have
>>>>> to have everything first pass.
>>>>>
>>>>> I was just making a list here. It still feels like I am groping
>>>>> in the dark, but a little light at the end of the tunnel.
>>>>>
>>>>> Glossary Entry: "Only one entry per form"
>>>>> Doc Link: Link to the best AB doc place to learn about this
>>>>> entry --by clicking on the entry
>>>>> UKB Link: Optional link to a UKB page --could be a substitute
>>>>> manual
>>>>> Other Link: Optional link to another doc page --could be a
>>>>> tutorial video
>>>>> Description: "Short descr iption of the entry"
>>>>> AFL version: First AB version number to support this
>>>>> Hierarchy: "TopLevel", "Level2",... "LastLevel" --used for
>>>>> creating a sorted list and as search terms
>>>>> Search Tags: "SearchTerm1", "SearchTermN"
>>>>> Related Entries: "Glossary Entry1", "Glossary EntryN" --the see
>>>>> also kind of thing
>>>>>
>>>>> ~Dennis
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sep 1, 2008, at 2:41 PM, Keith McCombs wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Dennis --
>>>>>> I'm still here. I've been working on a sample. Very sim ple,
>>>>>> plain text, no columns, or tags. I'm trying to supply only
>>>>>> enough information so someone can get an idea of what to look for
>>>>>> in the documentation. Presently, I am avoiding making any
>>>>>> specific reference to section or page in the manual or anywhere
>>>>>> else (too much work and would change with every major AB
>>>>>> revision.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I should be posting to the group with the first twenty or so
>>>>>> entries, this afternoon, US EDT.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't expect the format that I am using will be the final one
>>>>>> --- its just a starting point.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks for your support and comments, past, present, and future.
>>>>>> -- Keith
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Dennis Brown wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Keith,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> You still with us?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I figured you would have a few things to say about the
>>>>>>> formatting issues (unless you are away right now).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I consider you a critical partner in making this happen since it
>>>>>>> was primarily your proposal that got it moving.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The startup is a bit messy until we get our feet planted firmly
>>>>>>> on the ground.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> What do you think about the idea of a spreadsheet as the initial
>>>>>>> form to hold the raw data during the creation phase?
>>>>>>> We can kick things around in text on the list, then add to the
>>>>>>> spreadsheet doc as we go.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Answer on list if appropriate for all.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Aug 30, 2008, at 12:07 AM, Keith McCombs wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sounds good to me.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> However, is there somewhere we could have a document that we
>>>>>>>> could all collaborate on without the text getting all garbled
>>>>>>>> up by Yahoogroups, adding carriage returns, line feeds, and >?
>>>>>>>> I believe there is some way to do this -- just don't know what
>>>>>>>> that way is.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dennis Brown wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I have moved this thread to its own topic so that it will not
>>>>>>>>> get
>>>>>>>>> mixed up with the other thread going forward. I have added
>>>>>>>>> three
>>>>>>>>> replies at the top level here ~Dennis
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Peter,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I believe it should ultimately end up as part of the official
>>>>>>>>> docs.
>>>>>>>>> However, creating a separate one to start with and getting the
>>>>>>>>> bugs
>>>>>>>>> worked out of it would help everyone now. If it is a
>>>>>>>>> successful and
>>>>>>>>> useful document, then I am sure Tomasz will take note and
>>>>>>>>> figure out
>>>>>>>>> how to incorporate its usefulness into the AB docs.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Identifying a need that does not require the brightest brains
>>>>>>>>> in the
>>>>>>>>> AFL world to contribute to it is a liberating experience.
>>>>>>>>> Instead of
>>>>>>>>> begging for someone else to solve it, ordinary and
>>>>>>>>> extraordinary users
>>>>>>>>> alike can make it happen in bite sized chunks.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I think the way to approach this is for one lead person to
>>>>>>>>> take a
>>>>>>>>> small section, say the first 10 items in alphabetical order
>>>>>>>>> from the
>>>>>>>>> functions list and take a stab at filling them out completely
>>>>>>>>> and post
>>>>>>>>> them here for comments. Then perhaps a few volunteers could
>>>>>>>>> follow
>>>>>>>>> the lead and each take the next few in sequence. And do the
>>>>>>>>> same
>>>>>>>>> thing. This way there could be parallel efforts and feedback
>>>>>>>>> in an
>>>>>>>>> open way that would encourage more participation from anyone
>>>>>>>>> who
>>>>>>>>> thinks they could do the same thing to a small set. It would
>>>>>>>>> not take
>>>>>>>>> too long to assembl e a good size Glossary that way --one
>>>>>>>>> section at a
>>>>>>>>> time.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> BR,
>>>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Aug 29, 2008, at 10:37 PM, peterjldyke wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>>>> Would it be feasible to work on the existing manual without
>>>>>>>>> re-
>>>>>>>>>> writing another document? The headings and information, as
>>>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>>>>> stand are already there, set out years ago by TJ and others.
>>>>>>>>> What is
>>>>>>>>>> lacking is a keyword search in newbie plain english. Maybe a
>>>>>>>>> start
>>>>>>>>>> could be made on the Function headings.
>>>>>>>>>> Peter
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Mike,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks. Yes that is what I meant by extracting everything from
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> docs. Those are the basics, but it does take a bit more
>>>>>>>>> detective
>>>>>>>>> work to make sure nothing is missed. But if a complete list is
>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>> easily available, then we will just have to compile it the
>>>>>>>>> best we can
>>>>>>>>> and fill in the blanks later. There are a number of single
>>>>>>>>> character
>>>>>>>>> tokens used in different contexts, like in a text field.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> BR,
>>>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Aug 29, 2008, at 6:19 PM, Mike wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> It would sure help to get started if Tomasz or someone else
>>>>>>>>> has a
>>>>>>>>>>> current text list of all keywords and tokens that AFL
>>>>>>>>> recognizes
>>>>>>>>>>> to get started with -- that way nothing would be missed and
>>>>>>>>> it is
>>>>>>>>>>> just adding info to each one.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> The existing documentation offers this.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.amibroker.com/guide/a_language.html
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.amibroker.com/guide/a_keywords.html
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.amibroker.com/guide/afl/afl_index.php?m=1
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Mike
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Keith,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> You did such a good job explaining your proposal, would you
>>>>>>>>> like to
>>>>>>>>> take the first 10 to get us started?
>>>>>>>>> The functions list is easy in some respects because it is
>>>>>>>>> already half
>>>>>>>>> way there. But the one line definitions would likely want to
>>>>>>>>> be a bit
>>>>>>>>> more descriptive about its intended use. Search words might
>>>>>>>>> also
>>>>>>>>> include a category or two so the list could return functional
>>>>>>>>> groups.
>>>>>>>>> The search words might be the largest part of the entry.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I would be happy to assemble the whole list off line and
>>>>>>>>> keep it
>>>>>>>>> updated as we work through the total and publish it in an
>>>>>>>>> acceptable
>>>>>>>>> form, and try to keep the momentum going --unless someone else
>>>>>>>>> wants
>>>>>>>>> that role.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I can think of some other projects that could be handled the
>>>>>>>>> same way
>>>>>>>>> that would be of general help to all if this effort is
>>>>>>>>> successful.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Test group:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> #include - preprocessor include command (AFL 2.2)
>>>>>>>>> #include_once - prep rocessor include (once) command (AFL
>>>>>>>>> 2.70)
>>>>>>>>> #pragma - sets AFL pre-processor option (AFL 2.4)
>>>>>>>>> abs - absolute value
>>>>>>>>> AccDist - accumulation/distribution
>>>>>>>>> acos - arccosine function
>>>>>>>>> AddColumn - add numeric exploration column (AFL 1.8)
>>>>>>>>> AddTextColumn - add text exploration column (AFL 1.8)
>>>>>>>>> AddToComposite - add value to composite ticker (AFL 2.0)
>>>>>>>>> ADLine - advance/decline line (AFL 1.2)
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Begin forwarded message:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> From: Dennis Brown <see3d@xxx>
>>>>>>>>>> Date: August 29, 2008 6:02:30 PM EDT
>>>>>>>>>> To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [amibroker] Re: The best way to help newbies,
>>>>>>>>>> oldies, ... and AmiBroker ...
>>>>>>>>>> Reply-To: amibroker@xxx oogroups.com
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Keith,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks for rescuing my post from the oblivion of the chaos
>>>>>>>>> that came
>>>>>>>>>> after it.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I like your more detailed suggestion and yes we are talking
>>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>>>> the same thing. From a practical point, this is not
>>>>>>>>> something that
>>>>>>>>>> one person should have to take on by themselves -- it could
>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>> overwhelming. This is perfect for a collaborative effort
>>>>>>>>> initially,
>>>>>>>>>> but would require a Wiki sort of thing to do that in the
>>>>>>>>> broadest
>>>>>>>>>> sense. Once it is all pieced together, it would not be too
>>>>>>>>> hard to
>>>>>>>>>> maintain in the UKB or in another way. Perhaps a text file
>>>>>>>>> could be
>>>>>>>>>> uploaded with the partial document and "checked out" to be
>>>>>>>>> worked
>>>>>>>>>> on. Eventually it would be complete enough to post as a good
>>>>>>>>>> resource, but of course would have to be updated regularly
>>>>>>>>> as AFL
>>>>>>>>>> evolves.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I think my extension to this is that I would like to see the
>>>>>>>>> entries > link to the place in the documentation tha t defines
>>>>>>>>> them, or
>>>>>>>>>> perhaps an auto search for references in the docs. Not clear
>>>>>>>>> to me
>>>>>>>>>> yet what would be the most helpful if they are not
>>>>>>>>> integrated into
>>>>>>>>>> the official docs.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> It would sure help to get started if Tomasz or someone else
>>>>>>>>> has a
>>>>>>>>>> current text list of all keywords and tokens that AFL
>>>>>>>>> recognizes to
>>>>>>>>>> get started with -- that way nothing would be missed and it
>>>>>>>>> is just
>>>>>>>>>> adding info to each one.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Otherwise, like you said, the first job to piece them
>>>>>>>>> together from
>>>>>>>>>> the various places in the docs.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Any other ideas about how to make this a reality without
>>>>>>>>> killing one
>>>>>>>>>> person?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On Aug 29, 2008, at 4:34 PM, Keith McCombs wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Dennis --
>>>>>>>>>>> Your comments below reminded me of something I've always
>>>>>>>>> wanted for
>>>>>>>>>>> AFL. You called it an "AFL to English Dictionary ", while I
>>>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>>>>>> thinking "Glossary". But, I believe, we may be looking for
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> same thing.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Many times I knew what I wanted but couldn't find it in the
>>>>>>>>> help
>>>>>>>>>>> documentation just because I didn't know what AB called it.
>>>>>>>>> For
>>>>>>>>>>> example, when I first wanted to plot multiple or different
>>>>>>>>> or other
>>>>>>>>>>> equities, all on the same chart, I was pretty sure that it
>>>>>>>>> could be
>>>>>>>>>>> done but had a hard time figuring out how. It was quite a
>>>>>>>>> while
>>>>>>>>>>> ago, so I'm not sure exactly how I tried to solve the
>>>>>>>>> problem. But
>>>>>>>>>>> I probably opened up Help and did a Search for 'multiple',
>>>>>>>>>>> 'different', 'other', or 'many'. Somehow, eventually, I
>>>>>>>>> discovered
>>>>>>>>>>> the 'foreign' function, which, by the way, took me longer
>>>>>>>>> than to
>>>>>>>>>>> write and debug my final code.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Had there been an "AFL to English Dictionary" or 'Glossary'
>>>>>>>>> with an
>>>>>>>>>>> entry like,
>>>>>>>>>>> "foreign( ) -- refers to symbols other primary symb ol.
>>>>>>>>> Search -
>>>>>>>>>>> different, many, multiple, other."
>>>>>>>>>>> it would have been of great help at the time.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Another hard one, at least for me, to come up with on my
>>>>>>>>>>> own,
>>>>>>>>>>> "AddToComposite() -- used to create composite indicators.
>>>>>>>>>>> Search - different, index, indicator, many, multiple, other.
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> "ATC -- abbreviation for AddToComposite."
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Note: Making such a glossary should not be very difficult.
>>>>>>>>>>> It
>>>>>>>>>>> would consist of:
>>>>>>>>>>> 1. Make a list of all the keywords, functions, and other
>>>>>>>>> useful
>>>>>>>>>>> terms in AFL.
>>>>>>>>>>> 2. Add very brief description for each. Best done by users
>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>>>> 'intermediate' experience.
>>>>>>>>>>> 3. Add Search words. Best done dynamically by newer users,
>>>>>>>>>>> especially those who had difficulty finding the particular
>>>>>>>>> keyword
>>>>>>>>>>> or function.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> This could be a very useful addition to the UKB.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Oh yes,
>>>>>>>>>>> "Users Knowledge Base -- very helpfu l "how to" articles by
>>>>>>>>>>> users. http://www.amibroker.org/userkb/glossary
>>>>>>>>>>> Search - user, more, help, tutorial.
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> "UKB -- abbreviation for Users Knowledge Base."
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> "AFL -- abbreviation for AmiBroker Formula Language."
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> BTW, given such a 'Glossary' or 'AFL to English
>>>>>>>>> Dictionary', I see
>>>>>>>>>>> no need for an "English to AFL Dictionary". Just search for
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> English word that you think might lead you in the right
>>>>>>>>> direction.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> -- Keith
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Dennis Brown wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Ron, and other posters to this thread,
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> This is a good example of where some of the problems in
>>>>>>>>>>>> understandin g come from. AFL is cryptic and concise. It
>>>>>>>>> takes a
>>>>>>>>>>>> good long while to make the connection between a natural
>>>>>>>>> language
>>>>>>>>>>>> expression of the desired result and the AFL to say the
>>>>>>>>>>>> same
>>>>>>>>>>>> thing. I had ask for an AFL to English dictionary. You and
>>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>>>>>> posters are asking for an English to AFL phrase book. I
>>>>>>>>> really
>>>>>>>>>>>> like that idea. There are a large number of one liners
>>>>>>>>> that are
>>>>>>>>>>>> very useful and are great at teaching how things work in
>>>>>>>>> AFL. How
>>>>>>>>>>>> many times have I seen a question for "How do I plot a
>>>>>>>>> vertical
>>>>>>>>>>>> line at x?" or "How do I change the background color by
>>>>>>>>> bar to
>>>>>>>>>>>> indicate some indicator condition?". Almost the kind of
>>>>>>>>> thing
>>>>>>>>>>>> that could make up an AFL FAQ section. This seems like one
>>>>>>>>> of the
>>>>>>>>>>>> things the UKB was created to handle. However, each item
>>>>>>>>> is too
>>>>>>>>>>>> small to warrant a wh ole UKB article in itself. The TOC
>>>>>>>>>>>> structure is not set up for that IMO. However, having a
>>>>>>>>> dozen one
>>>>>>>>>>>> liners about plotting, etc., in one subject would be very
>>>>>>>>>>>> helpful. Just the fact that a number of question would be
>>>>>>>>>>>> answered under one general heading makes i t more likely
>>>>>>>>> that a new
>>>>>>>>>>>> user would find the answer to the thing he wanted quickly.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I am hearing so many good ideas on this and similar
>>>>>>>>> threads in the
>>>>>>>>>>>> last couple of days from new and old hands.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I am a great fan of "Cheat Sheets". Condensation of all key
>>>>>>>>>>>> points to a subject on one page. There are many areas of
>>>>>>>>> AFL that
>>>>>>>>>>>> could fit into this model.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Of course the problem with the UKB is that each article
>>>>>>>>> has to
>>>>>>>>>>>> have an owner who is responsible to input and update its
>>>>>>>>> content.
>>>>>>>>>>>> There are also some barriers to becoming a UKB author. Not
>>>>>>>>> big
>>>>>>>>>>>> ones, but just big enough to keep busy people from
>>>>>>>>> crossing over.
>>>>>>>>>>>> &n bsp;One suggestion was made to have AB support help out
>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>>>>> that so there would be an easy as email way to make a
>>>>>>>>> contrib
>>>>>>>>>>>> ution for these snippets. Support already has offered to
>>>>>>>>> post
>>>>>>>>>>>> articles for authors, but I think it is stil l a barrier
>>>>>>>>> to have to
>>>>>>>>>>>> write a "complete" article to post anything. Adding to an
>>>>>>>>> article
>>>>>>>>>>>> that is already structured with a small think like people
>>>>>>>>> post
>>>>>>>>>>>> hers would not be so daunting.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I think it is a great idea to have a topic related AFL
>>>>>>>>> phrase
>>>>>>>>>>>> book. Of course it would also be appropriate for any UKB
>>>>>>>>> author
>>>>>>>>>>>> to put up his hand and say he will sign up to maintain a
>>>>>>>>>>>> particular topic UKB entry for the phrase book.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Perhaps if a few of us could take a topic and get the ball
>>>>>>>>>>>> rolling, others would join in. The idea is that instead of
>>>>>>>>>>>> writing a UKB article, you just email a snippet to the
>>>>>>>>> responsible
>>>>>>>>>>>> person to add it to the article.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> This list itself could be used to vet things first to
>>>>>>>>> reduce the
>>>>>>>>>>>> editing of completed articles. That way someone would not
>>>>>>>>> have to
>>>>>>>>>>>> be an expert to maintain one topic.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> If severa l people like this basic idea, the we could
>>>>>>>>> expand the
>>>>>>>>>>>> concept and create an outline for the subjects.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Should we start organizing the topics for a phrase book?
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> It is one thing to complain, another to suggest
>>>>>>>>> improvements, and
>>>>>>>>>>>> still another to be willing to contribute to the
>>>>>>>>> suggestions.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> What do people think of this idea, and contributing to it?
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>>>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> On Aug 28, 2008, at 3:13 PM, <professor@xxx> <professor@xxx
>>>>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ron,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> The examples that you used were perfect. Even I could
>>>>>>>>> understand
>>>>>>>>>>>>> how they worked and learn how to do things that I wanted
>>>>>>>>> to do
>>>>>>>>>>>>> but didn't know how to do it. I spent a lot of time using
>>>>>>>>>>>>> barssince and ref trying accomplish this.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Tom
>>>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>>>> From: Ronald Davis
>>>>>>>>>>>>> To: amibroker@xxx oogroups.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 11:36 AM
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [amibroker] Re: The best way to help newbies,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> oldies, ... and AmiBroker ...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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 l earning Amibroker. Ron D
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Ken Close" <ken45140@xxx>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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 o ther "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: T hursday, 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 be cause 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 kin d
>>>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> computer
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> programming law.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> AFL was my real destination with AmiBroker, and I had a
>>>>>>>>> hard
>>>>>>>>>>>>> time because
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> was not w ell 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 c an't imagine the
>>>>>>>>> bewildermen t 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 h elp 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 l eft
>>>>>>>>> reaching
>>>>>>>>>>>>> for AFL?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Perhaps there are co nventions 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
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
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