AmiBroker 4.90 User's Guide Technical information

concepts.

•

broker.master − binary data file containing the table of all symbols available in the database. Used for quick loading of symbols. The table of symbols includes information about assignments of symbols to categories (markets, groups, sectors, industries, watch lists, indices and favorites). If you delete this file AmiBroker will re−create it because this information is available also in the individual symbol data files.

•

broker.workspace − binary data file containing the information about the database settings (interval, data source used, etc), category names, global advance/decline data, etc. If you delete this file you will lost database settings and category names will be reset to defaults.

•

default.awl, *.awl − Amibroker Workspace layout files. Text files that contain the information about the

layouts and chart sheets . The default.awl file stored in "Layouts" subfolder inside database folder

contains default LOCAL layout for this database. The default.awl file stored in "Layouts" subfolder of

AmiBroker main directory contains default GLOBAL layout (used when there is no local layout present). If you delete this file then default layout will be generated based on default.layout file that is supplied with AmiBroker.

•

broker.charts − binary file containing information about all custom indicators (including settings and formulas). If you delete this file you will loose all custom indicators.

•

broker.bcharts − binary file that contains interpretation/additional code for built−in indicators. If you delete this file you will loose all interpretation code that is included with built−in indicators

•

broker.layers − text file that contains information about chart layers . If you delete this file layers will

be reset to factory defaults.

•

broker.groups, broker.markets, broker.sectors, broker.industries − text files that contain default names for groups, markets, sectors and industries. Used only at the database creation time. Later this information is stored per−database in broker.workspace file. If you delete them, AmiBroker will default to group n, market n, sector n, industry n names, where n is 1...256

•

broker.prefs − binary file that contains user preference settings (available from

Tools−>Preferences ).

If you delete this file AmiBroker will reset to factory default settings

•

broker.params − text file that contains persistent information about user−defined indicator parameters .

Crash recovery system and automatic bug reporting

AmiBroker features a system of detecting and reporting bugs called "Crash recovery system". The name suggests that AmiBroker is now able to recover from such unexpected situations and indeed it can!.

How could this be done? Well... some tricks are needed to wrap the exception handling mechanism used by

Windows :−)

Normally when Windows application performs some illegal memory access, illegal operation (for example division by zero) or illegal instruction the system pops the dead−end message box saying "This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down". Now you have got no choice − the application is terminated when you click on OK button.

AmiBroker's crash recovery system introduced in v3.47 beta intercepts the exception generated by Windows and instead of standard dead−end message box it displays the following dialog:

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As you can see there is a window that displays important system information and there are three buttons

Continue, Bug report, Copy to clip, Troubleshoot, Exit program. Clicking on the Exit program button works exactly the same as clicking on "OK" button in the standard Windows dead−end message box. But the first two buttons give you brand new possibilities. If you click on Continue button AmiBroker will try to recover from the error and continue running. In most cases you will be able to save your work and modifications you have made so you will not lose anything. In fact you will be able to work normally. There are however some cases when recovery will not succeed and AmiBroker may be unstable, so it is advised just to save your data and exit. It may also happen that this window will pop up for a couple of times − then you should just click on

Continue several times.

The recover function is quite nice but the main purpose of this system is to find and fix the problems in future version and this is why the most important function was provided − Bug report. If you the crash recovery window popped up on your screen please click on Bug report button before attempting to continue work. This will automatically launch your default mail program and prepare the new e−mail with the following information:

To: [email protected]

Subject: Bug Report (automatically generated by AmiBroker)

Steps needed to reproduce the bug:

>>PLEASE ENTER THE DESCRIPTION HERE<<

AmiBroker version 4.40.3

( cooltool.dll 4.40.3, mfc42.dll 6.0.8665, msvcrt.dll 7.0.2600 )

Microsoft Windows XP version 5.1 (Build 2600)

Service Pack 1.0

Common Controls: 6.0

Unhandled exception

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Type: CSysException

Code: c0000005

Description: ACCESS VIOLATION

Address: 42af1e

Line 1, Column 16:

ROC(Close,Null);

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−^

(occurred during AFL formula execution)

AFL Parser status:

Processing stage: EXECUTE

Formula ID: 0 ()

Action 3 (SCAN)

Additional information:

Number of stock loaded: 9331

Currently selected stock: WTEL

Number of quotes (current stock): 155

Workspace:

Data source = QP2 , Data local mode = 2, NumBars = 5000

Preferences:

Data source = (local), Data local mode = 1, NumBars = 1000

Command history:

2828 − Shows Analyser − a tool to test systems & explore market−−Auto−Analyser

Cache manager stats:

Number of list elements: 2

Number of map elements: 2

Hash table size: 5987

Memory status:

MemoryLoad: 52 %

TotalPhys: 523760K AvailPhys: 246560K

TotalPageFile: 1281044K AvailPageFile: 1050008K

TotalVirtual: 2097024K AvailVirtual: 1950604K

Technical information

Last Windows message:

HWnd: 0x20eac

Msg: 0x0110 wParam: 0x00030ed6 lParam: 0x00000000

As you can see AmiBroker generates itself most important details for the bug report including even some history of menu selections (Command history) but the most essential thing at this point is to provide the description of steps needed to reproduce the bug. You should just type (in place marked by >>PLEASE

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AmiBroker 4.90 User's Guide Technical information

ENTER THE DESCRIPTION HERE<<) what you have done before the bug occurred, what special conditions must be met to reproduce it, maybe an AFL formula that you have tried and anything that you suppose might be important (even though AmiBroker includes a few lines of offending formula automatically). This is critical since automatically generated information is very nice but can not cover all the details. Then, when the bug report is complete just click Send in your mail program to send the report to me (note that address and subject fields are filled in for you).

Clicking Copy to clip button allows you to copy above report to the clipboard. You may use this button if automatic send does not work with your default e−mail program.

Clicking Troubleshoot brings up Troubleshooting page at http://www.amibroker.com/troubleshoot.html

that contains descriptions of most common problems and how to solve them.

Some final notes: I have put significant amount of work in making this system reliable, however you should be aware that not all exception and/or system errors could be handled by this system and it may happen that

AmiBroker will not be able to recover from some fatal error. It is also possible that this system would not be able to intercept all low level exceptions. In that case just prepare the report by yourself giving me as much details as possible.

Please remember that the final goal is making AmiBroker rock−solid and bug−free. This is what I am working on constantly.

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How to purchase AmiBroker ?

AmiBroker is a trialware. This means that you SHOULD evaluate the trial version of the program for a period of 30 days before buying it.

If you like the program and want to use it for more than 30 days evaluation period − you have to buy the license to use it. We assume that you installed AmiBroker before ordering and checked if it fits your needs.

AmiBroker software is currently available in 2 editions: Standard and Professional (RT). To learn about the differences between these two versions

click here

.

PRICING

One−time license fee is:

Standard

Professional

Edition

New Single−User

$149

$229

License

Buy Now!

BuyNow!

Upgrade License

(only for registered users of previous versions)

$75

$80 (from Standard Edition same version)

$100 (from earlier versions)

BENEFITS:

Here is what YOU gain purchasing AmiBroker:

•

the keyfile enabling all features of the program (database saving, no more annoying requesters)

•

four major upgrades free (keyfile is functional with 4 next versions numbered in 0.10 increments, so if you register v4.90, updates upto v.5.30 (incl) will be automatically registered)

• access to members−only zone featuring

♦

AmiBroker Developer Kit (for the developers of plugin DLLs)

♦ newest issues AmiBroker Tips weekly newsletter

♦ monthly Stocks&Commodities® Traders' Tips for AmiBroker

♦ newest, private versions of AmiBroker

♦ extra AFL formulas for indicators, commentaries, trading systems

• ability to influence the future of AmiBroker because your proposals of new features are much more likely to be implemented

•

50% discounts on further upgrades

•

12 month technical support via e−mail

• other bonuses

DELIVERY

After paying registration fee you will receive the personalized keyfile by e−mail. No other delivery methods are supported. When purchasing please supply your e−mail address.

HOW TO ORDER AMIBROKER?

ORDERING ON−LINE

If you would like to buy AmiBroker, you can do the purchase online via ShareIt Secure Web Site (SSL) using

How to purchase AmiBroker ?

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AmiBroker 4.90 User's Guide How to purchase AmiBroker ?

links below. Payment methods include all major credit cards as well as cheques and wire transfers.

To place an order−on line, please visit:

http://www.amibroker.com/order.html

AmiBroker online ordering is provided by SWREG.ORG (Atlantic Coast PLC) and ShareIt/element−5 AG a well established shareware registration and credit card processing agents. They handle registrations for over

7000 shareware programs. Their server uses your browser's powerful built in encryption and security, along with VeriSign/Thawte authentication, to encrypt your personal information and credit card details so that they cannot be intercepted by hackers or other third parties.

All credit card data are transmitted using the secure (encrypted) HTTP protocol according to the current SSL

(Secure Socket Layer) 128−bit strong cryptography standard. We have all heard a lot of talk about whether shopping on the internet is safe. The fact is that this year on−line shoppers will spend over $5.7 billion dollars according to International Data Corp. The main concern of on−line shoppers is that their credit card information will somehow end up in the wrong hands. SWREG.ORG and ShareIt/element−5 registration services use Secure Server technology, which encrypts your order information, keeping it private and protected. This technology is used by all the major commercial shopping sites. It is actually safer to transmit your credit card info over the Internet than it is to use your credit card around town.

For more information on security matters, please consult your browser's documentation. Also please note that all information submitted in the online shop is 100% confidential − we won't sell or give away your email address or other details!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

On−line purchasing is the fastest way to obtain your personal registration code(s). Once you complete your registration, you will receive your personal data within 24 hours.

It's of main importance that you give us a complete and correct Internet e−mail address. Entering an incorrect e−mail address (or an e−mail address that doesn't work correctly), you won't be able to register your software.

E−mail us if you have any further questions regarding registration, future versions, and so on.

How to purchase AmiBroker ?

850

Credits

Thanks

Many people make significant contributions to the development and testing of the AmiBroker. Thank you all.

Thanks to Bill Barack, Rick Perkins, Ken Close, Dimitris Tsokakis, Marek Ch³opek, Herman van den Bergen,

Ed Winters, Patrick Hargus, Mark Leon, Dan Clark, Rick Parsons, Charlie Hooper, Steve Wiser, Jim Ellis,

David Holzgrefe, Carlton McEachern, Geoff Mulhall, Richard Cloonan, Peter Gialames, Stephane Carrasset,

Dale Wingo, Fred Tonetti, Chuck Rademacher, Gary A. Serkhoshian, Rick Perkins, Tom Supera, Michael

Robb, Mark Allen, Geo Singleman, Anthony Faragasso, Jayson Casavant, Al Holzwarth, Sidney Kaiser,

William Peters, Ara Kaloustian and all the other AmiBroker users for giving me valuable feedback, comments, ideas, suggestions, test results and all the support. Special thanks to eSignal, myTrack, IQFeed, MarketCast for their generous support and co−operation. Thanks to Jerry Medved (QuoteTracker) for co−operation.

Thanks to Mark Jurik of Jurik Research for providing his tools. Special thanks to Gary Lyben of Quotes Plus for the help with interfacing to Quotes Plus database. Thanks to Yuki Taga for proof−reading parts of tutorial section. Many thanks to all the contributors to the AFL formula library for sharing their work. Many thanks to

Sharenet (Robin and Steve) and all South African users for their continuous support. Thanks to Jordan

Russell and Martijn Laan for their InnoSetup/ISX. Thanks to Donald Dalley for extensive support he provided for Amiga version of AmiBroker. The deepest thanks and love to my wife Elizabeth and kisses for our little children Julia and Jacob for bringing so much joy to my life everyday. And thank You, Dear User, for purchasing AmiBroker! With your kind support we can make dreams come true.

AmiBroker on the Web

For latest news, patches and updates please check out AmiBroker/Win32 WWW site at: http://www.amibroker.com

. (The backup site http://www.amibroker.net

)

Please check also AmiBroker Tips Newsletter available at: http://www.amibroker.com/newsletter

Visit support section of AmiBroker web page at: http://www.amibroker.com/support.html

Check AFL on−line library: http://www.amibroker.com/library/

DevLog: http://www.amibroker.com/devlog/

Knowledge Base: http://www.amibroker.com/kb/

AFL on−line reference: http://www.amibroker.com/guide/afl/

Third−part area (plugins, documentation): http://www.amibroker.net/3rdparty.php

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AmiBroker 4.90 User's Guide

Check AmiBroker message boards at: http://www.amibroker.net/boards/

Check AmiBroker mailing lists at: http://www.egroups.com/messages/amibroker−news (announcements) http://www.egroups.com/messages/amibroker (general discussion) http://www.egroups.com/messages/amibroker−ts (trading systems) http://www.egroups.com/messages/amibroker−afl (AFL coding)

Credits

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