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As noted debugging AB with includes is not easy . The nature of AFL makes it quick and easy to write/test simple stuff but as complexity grows debugging any sizeable AFL project can be quite tricky, particularly if running RT as there is a lot going on.
"Modular" programming is only catered for in AB by Includes (which is just a soure code copy preprocessor). The AB program structure model is therefore basically just one big chunck of code - which is why (unless you are very careful what you code inside Inlcudes) you can get some very hard to find problems (the problems can even change or disappear depending on the roder of Includes).
IMO improving AFL to support procedure/function calls to external files would be a big plus to enabling better modular program design. Specifically:-
a =xyx(p1,p2) would call the external proc/func "xyz" (unless xyz is defined in current source file).
The benefits as I see them:-
1. #Inlcudes are no longer required for procs/fucntions.Compiler would pull them from library specified via preferences. No more searching for which Include file is that function in, which version of that was I using .. etc.
2. External functions matched by filename. i.e one function name = one filename, no ambiguity, easily portable.
3. External files are closed boxes - can only receive/pass data via parameters, return value or global variables. Everything else inside file is local. No interference bewteen files.
4. Faster code development/maint. For example if we have the facility in Preferences to define multiple paths to external proc/func library it becomes easy to test out changes without having to resort to all the usual suffixing fillenames, changing calls etc. i.e.
path1=AB_Function_Library_Test
path2=AB_Function_LIbrary_Live
So to test out a mod just copy the function file to the Test library, make the changes and test. Compiler searches paths in order specified so anything with matching name in Test takes precedence over same name in Live.
5. Easier debugging? ;-)
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "jtoth100" <jtoth100@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 2:26 PM
Subject: [amibroker] Re: Run time debugging for includes
> Hi all,
>
> debugging includes is not easy and handy in any script language. So
> instead of making the GUI to reduce clicks my suggestion would be to
> reduce possible error cases.
>
> Most errors come from undefined/uninitialized variables. If AFL
> language would have an "OPTION" to require definition of all
> variables then most common errors could be vanished.
> Visual Basic 6.0 never was my favorite language and environment. It
> was for average Joe to do basic level programming. It did not require
> declaring variable just like AFL or any script language. But I had to
> use it years ago. At that time all serious developer started each
> module in VB with "Option Explicit On". This caused an error at
> parse/compile time if a variable was not defined explicitly but was
> referenced anywhere in the code.
>
> How would it help?
> Most probles come from just creating variables by assigning a value
> to an "identifier". However if you misstype an "identifier" or code
> execute in a code path where variable does not get
> defined/initialized you get an error. The worst thing is that these
> errors are hidden until the rearly executed code path is executed
> (typical runtime error). If definition of variables are required even
> these code paths are checked for proper variable usage.
>
> This should be an option for advanced users which is turned on on
> purpose. So all code out there could run with no change.
>
> Variable assignment and definition could be merged to one statement
> like in any modern language (e.g.: var x = 0.5;) This way declaration
> is required and initialization can be done as well.
>
> I know it does not guaranty that all runtime error are gone. But with
> disciplined coding most can be avoided and the need for debugging is
> vastly reduced.
>
> So I would not go for GUI change request but to improve AFL as a
> script language.
>
> Regards,
>
> Y
>
>
>
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**** IMPORTANT ****
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*********************
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