Download printable version

 
What's In The QM?

The QM contains 3 different ASCII drivers and the latest MetaStock/Computrac and Primate drivers. The ASCII drivers support files using comma delimited, tab delimited, and fixed field formats. These formats are respectively called ASCII CSV, ASCII TXT, and ASCII Fixed Field.

What Are These ASCII Files Used For?

ASCII files may be used to bring your data into spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel, database programs such as DBase or Microsoft Access, many different charting and analysis programs, or programs that you have written yourself. Although you can use this data with many types of programs, YOU SHOULD NEVER WRITE TO OR MODIFY ANY ASCII FILE CREATED OR USED WITH ANY PRIMATE PROGRAM. These drivers depend on the data being in the files in a certain format and the files have dependencies on each other that could be compromised by changing the files with anything other than a Primate program.  You have been warned.

How Do I Create An ASCII File?

In Quote Monkey! you would create a new ASCII portfolio just like creating a new MetaStock or Primate portfolio. Once you select Create from the Portfolio menu, you will be asked what type of portfolio to create. Select the appropriate ASCII file type. Continue through the next screen(s) as you would for a MetaStock or Primate portfolio. Once the ASCII portfolio is created you can then add symbols to it and download data.

How Do I Find The ASCII Data Files?

The data files are located in the directory in which you created the portfolio. There is one data file for each symbol you are following in the portfolio, plus a master file containing the symbols in the portfolio, and information needed by Primate programs about each symbol. The file extensions for each type of ASCII file is as follows:

        ASCII CSV         -    .CSV
        ASCII TXT         -    .TXT
        ASCII Fixed Field    -     .FF

The master files have the name MONKEY followed by the proper extension. The data files are named after the symbol filled out with carets (^) to 8 characters plus the proper extension. For example, the symbol IBM in an ASCII CSV file would have a file name of IBM^^^^^.CSV. The filling of the name with carets is needed to avoid confusion between symbols such as CON and PRN and the DOS devices of the same name.

What Is The Layout Of The Data Files?

The data in each file is laid out in the order: Date (in MM/DD/YY format), Open, High, Low, Close, Volume, Open Interest, Bid, and Ask. ASCII CSV files have a comma between each field, and ASCII TXT files have a tab character between each field. ASCII Fixed Field files have the fields located in the following positions:

        Date         -    1 ~ 8
        Open         -    9 ~ 21
        High         -    22 ~ 34
        Low        -     35 ~ 47
        Close         -    48 ~ 60
        Volume         -    61 ~ 70
        Open Interest    -     71 ~ 80
        Bid        -     81 ~ 93
        Ask        -     94 ~ 106

What Is The Layout Of The Master Files?

The data in the master file is laid out in the order: Symbol, Name, Start Date, End Date, First Date. All dates are in MM/DD/YY format. ASCII CSV files have a comma between each field, and ASCII TXT files have a tab character between each field. ASCII Fixed Field files have the fields located in the following positions:

        Symbol         -    1 ~ 8
        Name         -    9 ~ 88
        Start Date    -     89 ~ 96
        End Date    -     97 ~ 104
        First Date    -     105 ~ 112

Can I Use The ASCII Data With Chart Monkey?

Yes. All Primate programs, past, present, and future, will use these drivers to access your ASCII data just like MetaStock or Primate data.

Are There Any Limitations To Portfolios In An ASCII Format?

Yes. Symbols cannot be longer than 8 characters. This is because the symbol is used as the base of the data file name. Also each portfolio cannot have more than 2000 symbols.

Why Shouldn't I Use The ASCII Format For All Of My Data?

If you don't need certain data in ASCII format then store it in a MetaStock or Primate portfolio.  The main disadvantage to ASCII portfolios is speed.   Because the drivers must convert the data in the ASCII files to a format suitable for use by the program, ASCII portfolios will update and load slower than MetaStock or Primate portfolios.  If you are concerned about access speed on your portfolios, and you only use your data with Primate programs, then the Primate file format is the fastest.   The MetaStock format is slightly slower then the Primate format but has the advantage of being able to be imported by a large number of financial programs.  If the program that you will be using your data with can import both MetaStock and ASCII data you will be better off using the MetaStock format.