Share Gallery 1/share_gal_1.zip/share_gal_1/BF/BF023A.ZIP/SMENTRY2.HLP

Text File | 1989-02-15 | 13KB | 244 lines

DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ENTRY SCREEN          RELEASE 2.54         PAGE 1 OF 11

The data entry screen can display the volume and prices for up to 11 trading
periods (days or weeks) at a time.  A selector block is visible on the screen,
in the form of a solid bar which covers a single data item.  A trading period
is selected (for making changes, etc.) when the selector block is on the same
line as the date of that period.  The selector block can be moved through all
of the trading periods, and also to the volume or high, low or closing prices,
by means of the cursor keys on the right side of the keyboard.

The up-arrow key moves the selector block up one line each time it is pressed.
If necessary, the display will scroll one line towards the earliest (least
current) volume and price data.

The down-arrow key moves the selector block down one line each time it is
pressed.  If necessary, the display will scroll one line towards the latest
(most current) volume and price data.

The left- and right-arrow keys move the selector block horizontally to the
volume or high, low or closing price.  It cannot be moved to any of the other
data items.


DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ENTRY SCREEN                               PAGE 2 OF 11

The PgUp key moves the display 10 lines up towards the earliest price data.
There is an overlap of 1 line.  The selector block is placed on the top line.

The PgDn key moves the display 10 lines down towards the latest price data.
There is an overlap of 1 line.  The selector block is placed on the bottom
line.

The Home key moves the display to the earliest price data and places the sel-
ector block on the least current trading period.

The End key moves the display to the latest price data and places the selector
block on the most current trading period.

If this security is being updated weekly, all the dates on the left side of the
screen will fall on Fridays.

The other functions are invoked by typing the corresponding letter keys.
These other functions are described in the next screens.



DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ENTRY SCREEN                               PAGE 3 OF 11

I = IMPORT historical prices from an external ASCII file, for only this one
    stock.  This function is normally used to fill in the price history file
    for a stock that has just been added to the system.  Here's how it works:

    First, another program module is loaded and a different heading will appear
    at the top of the screen. Then you will be asked for the beginning date for
    data to be imported. If you just added the stock to the system, press ENTER
    by itself.  Otherwise you should enter a beginning date, to insure that ex-
    isting data you don't want to disturb won't get changed.  This date applies
    to the volume and prices you want to import, and not necessarily to the
    dates on the file.  What this means is that if you are importing DAILY data
    into a WEEKLY-updated file, you should specify a beginning-of-the-week date
    so that volume and price data for the whole week gets combined.

    After that, you will be asked to specify the order in which data items
    appear on the ASCII input file.  Here you can press H for HELP to get more
    information about the translation process.  Note that data in files with
    names ending in .WKS, .WK1, .CAL, .DBF and other extentions cannot be used;
    those are not ASCII files.  Usually, ASCII files have names ending with
    .ASC, .DOC, .PRN, or .TXT.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ENTRY SCREEN                               PAGE 4 OF 11

I = IMPORT historical volume and prices (continued).

    Finally, you will be asked for the name of the ASCII input file.  This file
    does not have to be in the same sub-directory or on the same diskette as
    your price history files; you must include the full path name if it is not
    in the default directory.  The program will read the ASCII file, convert
    the data to the Stock Charting System's own internal format, and return you
    back to the Data Entry screen so you can "browse" through your data.  You
    will be prompted when to switch data diskettes.

    If the ASCII input file contains data for dates that are later than those
    on the price history file, new dates will automatically be added as re-
    quired.  Thus, the IMPORT function might be used to update individual price
    history files with current data if you are several days or several weeks
    behind with your file maintenance.

    WARNING: If you are working with a DAILY-updated file, you will have to
    manually insert all of the holidays.  Otherwise, the program will assume
    that data is missing, and will not properly compute moving averages.


DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ENTRY SCREEN                               PAGE 5 OF 11

U = manual UPDATE of volume and prices for the next trading date which is shown
    in the menu at the bottom of the screen.  The new trading period date will
    replace the earliest previously existing date.  The new date is computed by
    the program.  If data for this stock is being updated weekly, the trading
    period date will always fall on a Friday.  If data is being updated daily,
    the program will ask if the new date is a holiday.  Weekend days are auto-
    matically skipped.  To cancel, press the Esc key at any time.

    The UPDATE function works in the same way regardless of where the selector
    block is at the time the "U" key is pressed.  After the data has been en-
    tered, the screen will show the most current volume and price data, along
    with newly updated moving averages, P/E ratio, yield and annualized poten-
    tial return.  The caption N/A means Not Available or Not Applicable.

    For a mutual fund, you can bypass entry of volume and high and low prices
    by pressing the Enter key twice.  Then enter net asset value for the close.

C = CORRECT the selected data item only.  This function is normally used for
    making corrections.  Only the volume or high, low or closing price can be
    changed.  Other data items are computed by the program.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ENTRY SCREEN                               PAGE 6 OF 11

E = ENTER volume and prices for the selected existing trading period.  This
    function is used mainly for initial data entry for a new stock that has
    just been added to the system, or it can also be used to correct errors.
    If data has been updated daily, the program will ask if the selected date
    is a holiday.  After any change is made to a closing price, all moving
    averages are automatically re-computed and re-displayed.

    For a mutual fund, you can bypass entry of volume and high and low prices
    by pressing the Enter key twice.  Then enter net asset value for the close.

    Fractional entry of prices is permitted; a space must be left between the
    whole number and the fraction.  For examples: 2 1/32; 98 13/16.

    If you press the Esc key before all of the data has been entered for the
    selected trading date, the Enter function will be cancelled and all of
    the original values for that trading date will be restored.





DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ENTRY SCREEN                               PAGE 7 OF 11

S = STOCK SPLIT or stock dividend.  This function applies a stock split or a
    stock dividend to all trading periods BEFORE the selected trading period.
    The program assumes that post-split data has already been entered for the
    selected trading day or week.  Volume, prices and moving averages are auto-
    matically adjusted. Adjustment of earnings, dividends, price goals and stop
    limit are optional, in case the correct values have already been entered.

D = DISTRIBUTION.  This function applies a capital gain distribution (normally
    for a mutual fund or utility stock) to all trading periods BEFORE the se-
    lected trading period.  The program assumes that post-distribution data has
    already been entered for the selected trading period.  Volume, prices and
    moving averages are automatically adjusted.  Adjustment of earnings, divi-
    dends, price goals and stop limit are optional, in case the correct values
    have already been entered.

    In the STOCK SPLIT function, you enter the ratio directly, as in 3-for-2.
    In the DISTRIBUTION function, the ratio is computed by the program from the
    dollar amount of the distribution and the net asset value just prior to the
    distribution.  Otherwise, both of these functions perform the same task.


DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ENTRY SCREEN                               PAGE 8 OF 11

M = change either or both of the MOVING average periods.  This function will
    automatically perform all necessary computations.  A moving average period
    cannot be greater than the total number of days or weeks for which volume
    and price data are being kept for this stock.  If a moving average is not
    wanted, specify zero.  If only one moving average is wanted, it is better
    to specify it as the long-term average because it will be shown as a solid
    line on the bar graph.

    The program will ask if you want the moving average computations to be
    temporary or permanent.  If permanent, the moving averages will be saved
    to disk and will replace the previous computations.  If not permanent, the
    just-performed moving average computations will be lost when you EXIT to
    the Stock Select screen or QUIT the stock charting system.

    In either case, you can freely switch between data entry and bar graph
    displays to observe the effects of changing the moving average periods.





DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ENTRY SCREEN                               PAGE 9 OF 11

L = Linear or Log display option.  After pressing L, you will be asked if you
    want linear or log scales.  Reply L for linear, or N for logarithmic,
    scales; or press Esc to leave the existing option intact.  This applies to
    both the volume and price scales which appear on the right-hand side of the
    chart.  The program will "remember" the option for each stock individually
    until it is changed again.

G = draw a bar GRAPH for the selected stock.  Your computer must be equipped
    with IBM-compatible color graphics.  Some "compatible" computers such as
    Compaq models and the AT&T 6300 already have color graphics capabilities
    built-in.  Either a monochrome or color monitor may be used.

    If you are using a computer equipped with Hercules or other "monographics"
    capability - or if you are using a Leading Edge Model D with a monochrome
    monitor - refer to the special instructions on the second page of the
    installation guide.  The Stock Charting System by itself does NOT support
    Hercules graphics.  A special software module will be required.




DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ENTRY SCREEN                              PAGE 10 OF 11

P = PRINT volume and price history in tabular format on the printer.  Data for
    all trading periods is shown, for the selected stock only, in a format
    similar to the screen format. The report is 80 columns wide and pagination
    is automatic.  It contains no graphics or special characters and so should
    work with almost any printer (there is a separate graphics print function
    from the bar graph screen).

    If you are using single sheets, reply (Y)es when asked if you wish to pause
    between pages.  The printer will then pause after ejecting each page, until
    you press the Enter key to continue.  You can press the Esc key to cancel
    printing after the next line of data.  However, this may be delayed or may
    not even work if your printer has a large buffer, because much of the in-
    formation may have already been sent to the printer itself.

    If there is a printer problem, the program should detect it and flash an
    error message.  However if the computer "hangs up" (appears to wait forever
    and do nothing), press Ctrl-Break and it should come alive again.

    WARNING: If you have just printed a bar graph, you may have to re-set your
    printer manually before printing data in character format.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA ENTRY SCREEN                              PAGE 11 OF 11

H = HELP.  Displays the explanatory information you are reading now.

X = EXIT back to the stock select screen.  You must go back to the Stock Sel-
    ect screen to add or delete a stock, because the Stock Select screen and
    the Add/Delete Stocks screen are one in the same.

Q = QUIT this program and exit to DOS, so you can run a different program
    system, make a backup copy of a disk, etc.

    When you EXIT or QUIT, all volume and price data are automatically saved
    to disk, if any changes have been made.