Automated viewing with a Script File in Aspen Graphics Charts or Quote Pages.

 

It is possible to display a user defined list of symbols in charts or quote pages with  Aspen Graphics (v401114 and above).  The list of symbols will appear one at a time.  By default the list will run through from start to finish one time.  Special instructions can be placed in the file to run it as a continuous loop, to change time frames for different symbols (or, for the same symbol in multiple time frames), or, to print some or all of the charts. 

You can also issue commands to the program via the script file.

 

Basic Procedure

1.      Add symbols to a text file, one symbol per line.

2.      Save the file in the same directory as the Qmaster.exe  (this is usually the root of the Apex directory).

3.      Display the list on a chart by typing .read FileName.txt, [timer] (timer = the number of seconds each symbol will be visible on the chart; any number may be entered here)

  1. Efficiency tip: Save the complete command above to a shortcut key!
  2. Multiple files: You may create and use multiple list files, assigning each to its own shortcut key, and run them in different windows simultaneously.

 

Advanced Procedures

·        Pause – Hit the PAUSE key on the keyboard to pause on a desired chart.  Hit the PAUSE key again to resume viewing the symbols.

·        Commands - In addition to the symbol list the file can contain other commands, one command per line or separated by a semi-colon ( ; ) on the same line, at the beginning of the file:

o       .dc – specify that the symbols be displayed in a default chart

o       ChartName – use this instead of .dc to specify an existing chart to display the symbols

o       .max – maximize the chart to full size

·        Time Frames – The time frame can be specified at the start of the file (e.g. – 5, 10, .day, etc.), or, the semi-colon ( ; ) can be used to specify a time frame for individual symbols.  The chart uses the last specified time frame value until a new value is entered.

o       Sample File

ibm

spy

dell;5

dell;60

intc;15

indu

indu;.day

qqq;15

·         Display Time - The timer will initially default to 5 seconds.  However, it will retain the last value assigned by the read command.  Generally, if a file is supposed to loop, the last line (i.e. - .read FileName.txt) should not have a timer value - that way it will retain the timer value first used to invoke the file read.

·         Printing – Replacing the timer parameter with the word print will cause a print command to be issued after each line in the file is processed (e.g. - .read FileName.txt print).

·        Additional print commands

o       Disableprint – subsequent entries will not print

o       Enableprint – subsequent file entries will print

o       Printtimer n – Overrides the normal Read timer.  The default is two seconds.  It can be used to rush through some parts of the file or to wait for more complex pages to fill in before printing

o        Sample File

disableprint;printtimer .25

clear

fullchart

.day

printtimer 2

enableprint

.dji

EUR=

SP#

·        Run the Script File at Start Up - Enter the following on a new line In the setup.txt file (the setup.txt file is also located in the Apex directory):  

                                             startup="read FileName.txt, 3"

(Note: The file must contain the .dc or ChartName command to use the startup feature.)  The next time Aspen Graphics is launched the Script File will begin displaying automatically.