forums.silverfrost.com

[LitusSaxonicum]

Rushing to the defence of Silverfrost ...

FTN95's diagnostic messages are probably the Gold Standard. Most of what you call indecypherable is the trackback, giving you source code line numbers.

When I look in FTN95.CHM, under %tl in the format code reference, the omission is to state that if N=1 it still needs to be there. I also wondered about describing the position as 'REAL' - it is DOUBLE PRECISION in the example, and also for %ta.

The injunction to read the manual fails when:

The manual is incomplete
The manual is incorrect
The manual isn't clear

Provided that the format string in a WINIO@ call is a valid string, it passes the compiler, and it is only when it is interpreted into a window at runtime that errors such as this are detected. Sure it's irritating, but the routine trackback tells you exactly where it failed.

[wahorger]

As far as the %tl is concerned, I guess one could have assumed that a capitalized "N" means that the number is required, even if it is "1".

Truly, this is an obfuscation of intent. If a parameter is required, the documentation should state this fact, regardless of convention.

I took a look at the documentation, and can find no description of the differences of "n" and "N" that would be found in the documentation. Similarly, for ANY combination of single letters either capitalized or not. Should I see this in the future, I will now know/assume that the parameter is required.

And, the traceback certainly does show the line at which the problem was detected. But the message of "Missing numeric parameter" is, at best, not precise. Again, better documentation == better products.

In spite of all of this, I love the level of documentation that is available with FTN95 and ClearWin+. It has been a lifesaver for me and my work. I am much further along in my re-development because of what is available on-line.

That being said, the point being made by Dan and John is that any and all documentation can be made better and more usable. And here are several of us who would love to help, as long as it is in a helpful, constructive way that is of benefit to SilverFrost. [/u]