Re[2]: [amibroker] Re: How NOT to show all the built-in metrics in the backtester?, AmiBroker Email List Archive

I fully agree; we already need about half a dozen special programming languages and tools. I refuse to learn any more. This group is turning more into a programmers club than a traders group.

A simple function like HideColumns( 1, 3-5, 10) would be a one line solution. No files, no CBT, no XML, etc. To many AB features turn out to be brain teasers while simple solutions, that probably take less time to implement, are overlooked.

As a user, who has already invested much time in learning AFL, I would rather not have to learn yet another language such as XML (assuming it is a language). What's wrong with an AFL function/procedure like AddColumn() or AddCustomMetric()? In fact, don't we already have them?

Steve Dugas wrote:

I am glad you liked it. 8 - ) I don't know anything about XML or how that would work, but I would guess that most users would prefer not to write all their own stat functions from scratch, so perhaps your XML idea ( which sounds more flexible ) might be appreciated by more users?

Steve

----- Original Message -----

From: Tomasz Janeczko

To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxx ps.com

Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 3:46 PM

Subject: Re: Re[2]: [amibroker] Re: How NOT to show all the built-in metrics in the backtester?

That's not bad idea :-). Either this or XML config file that you can manually edit would be solution for advanced users.

Best regards,

Tomasz Janeczko

amibroker.com

----- Original Message -----

From: Steve Dugas

To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxx ps.com

Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 8:17 PM

Subject: Re: Re[2]: [amibroker] Re: How NOT to show all the built-in metrics in the backtester?

Perhaps, if TJ doesn't plan on implementing individual column control, a much simpler feature might be just a switch allowing us to turn all columns on or off. Speaking for myself, I have written my own code for many of AB's stats, as well as other stats, originally for use in my charts but now I have added them to the backtest results also via the CBT, so I would be happy to just turn off AB's built-in stats ( would save a lot of scrolling and moving columns around ). Anyway just a thought, I don't know how others feel about it...

Steve

----- Original Message -----

From: Herman

To: Tomasz Janeczko

Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 4:43 AM

Subject: Re[2]: [amibroker] Re: How NOT to show all the built-in metrics in the backtester?

Column control was suggested long ago and I still think that being able to select, by disabling from afl (of course NOT using check boxes!) would be a good idea. I, without exception after each and every Backtest, have to use the scroll bar to see my columns of interest. I greatly miss being able to add/suppress columns without the use of the CBT.

Since in the back tester column layout is fixed a simple afl function like HideColumns( 3, 2-9, 15 ) would do the job.

A alternate solution would be for Tomasz to publish a CBT backtester on the KB that would mimic the standard BT but provided the above option.

... while on the topic of reports ... it would also be nice to have the AddSummaryRows() enabled for portfolio backtests :-)

We have a wonderful product but there are always more wishes ;-))

Best regards,

herman

Sunday, January 18, 2009, 7:34:01 PM, you wrote:

Hello,

"that no columns be displayed by default, and that the all columns and their widths be specified programmatically and/or in a settings page."

Since there are 46 build in stats, implementing your idea means 46 new checkboxes

and 46 edit fields (to define widths)

That's 92 new controls (to be placed on dialogs, docs and so on).

More settings -> more problems for beginners -> Lower sales. Plus more support

(every beginner asking "where is K-ratio", and "why there are no metrics produced?"

and "why there are so few metrics?")

From my perspective it would not be improvement. Just the opposite.

Best regards,

Tomasz Janeczko

amibroker.com

----- Original Message -----

From: Keith McCombs

To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxx ps.com

Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 10:48 PM

Subject: Re: [amibroker] Re: How NOT to show all the built-in metrics in the backtester?

Ozzy --

Yes, at this point it seems to be easier to live with all the extra columns than to learn how OLE works.

I believe, long ago, before the suggestion page was implemented on AB site, that I suggested to TJ that no columns be displayed by default, and that the all columns and their widths be specified programmatically and/or in a settings page. Obviously the suggestion was not implemented. IMHO, it would be a significant improvement over the present system.

I did get your previous response. But I understand your concern. I had to post my request three times before it finally went through. My two others were on 1/14, 1:04am and 1/16, 1:39am. Just recently these were finally delivered. Yahoogroups can be unbelievably slow at times.

-- Keith

ozzyapeman wrote:

Seems my response did not go thru. Reposting:

Keith - did not get around to implementing any OLE. Living with the

extra columns for now. But if I do write any code for it, will post it

here in the future.

--- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxx ps.com, Keith McCombs <kmccombs@xxx> wrote:

> Ozzy --

> Any chance you have already gone through the pain of implementing the

> appropriate OLE code. If so, would it be possible to share it and some

> brief instructions on how to use it? That would be greatly appreciated.

> Thank you.

> -- Keith

> ozzyapeman wrote:

> >

> > I asked this Q on the board a few weeks ago, and the consensus was

"no".

> >

> > But you can export the report using OLE and run an exploration showing

> > only the columns you want:

> >

> > http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/message/132540

> > <http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/message/132540>

> >

> > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxx ps.com

<mailto:amibroker%40yahoogroups.com>,

> > "huanyanlu" <huanyan2000@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I just learned to add some custom metrics into backtester. But

then I

> > > find that some of the built-in metrics in the backtester are not

> > > important in my way of analysis. So is there a way to show only

some of

> > > the built-in metrics , together with my added custom metrics ?

> > >

> > > According to the help file, it seems that the backtester object can

> > > allow you either show all the built-in metrics, or not show any of

> > > them .

> > >

> > > Thanks for any help

> > >

> > > Huanyan

> > >

> >