Tips and Tricks
Title: Advanced Scriptwriting: Automating Processes
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: Link goes to ACL website. This is the presentation that Porter Broyles and Raul Quiroz gave at a the 2008 ACL Annual Convention. This is a webinar created from that presentation and covers some advanced script writing subjects.
Title: Comments
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: Comments should be used to document scripts in greater detail and to cover particularly important aspects of the script, but there are certain script writing conventions used.
Title: Debugging Groups
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: Details and an example on how to debug a GROUP command.
Title: Debugging Scripts
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: In February 2008, the subject of the Houston TexasACL User Group was the debugging scripts. This is the powerpoint presentation from the meeting.
Title: Fixed Point Math
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: (Adapted from posts to the ACL User Forum) ACL does not use standard math when performing calculations. It uses Fixed Point Math. Fixed Point Math increases processing speed at the expense of accuracy. This essay explains how it works and how it may impact one's analysis.
Title: Fun with Comments
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: COMMENTS can be used constructively in developing scripts, learn some tricks.
Title: GROUP
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: Many people do not know or understand THE NESTED GROUP command.
Title: Hot Keys
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: Just as everybody knows that CTRL-C and CTRL-V will cut and paste text in most Microsoft applications, there are certain hot keys that are usable in ACL. This goes over the hot keys for ACL V7, V8, and V9.
Title: Intro To Script Writing
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: In the fall of 2007, the Houston TexasACL User Group discussed some basic script writing techniques. This powerpoint presentation is a quick introduction to script writing. It is not designed to replace a detailed full length training program.
Title: Intro To Interactive Scripts
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: In the fall of 2007, the Houston TexasACL User Group discussed basic script writing techniques as they related to Interactive Scripts. Writing interactive scripts is an advanced script writing concept. This powerpoint is a quick introduction to an advanced concept. This presentation is not intended to replace a full length detailed training program.
Title: Loading Excel Files into ACL
Author: David Coderre
Summary: A common problem with loading excel files into ACL is that the field sizes and characteristics are not standardized. This is especially true of field lengths. David Coderre shared a way to work with many excel files in a project.
Title: The LogAuthor: Porter Broyles
Summary: The ACL log is one of the characteristics that distinguishes ACL from its competitors. Learn how it can be used to 1) troubleshoot problems, 2) validate that the script executed properly, and 3) be used as part of your work papers.
Title: The Not So Random Number
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: Random numbers in ACL are not truly random. In addition, the order they are presented are not random.
Title: Opening Sections of Scripts
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: When writing scripts, there are certain conventions that different people should use (or at least consider using.)
Title: Obtain Initials
Author: Porter Broyles
Explanation: In fighting fraud, one might want to compare employee initials with vendor names that are compromised of 3 or fewer letters. To do this one would use the following code:
INCLUDE(PROPER(Field_name),"QWERTYUIOPLKJHGFDSAZXCVBNM")
Title: Relationships
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: The format for Relationships both the basic Parent to Child relationship and the Parent to Grandchild relationships
Title: RECOFFSET()
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: RECOFFSET is a powerful tool that can be used to compare the values between two records. Unfortunately, this is function is highly ineffective. A better option is to use a GROUP. This essay introduces the problems with the function and the GROUP alternative.
Title: The SET Bug
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: While not really a bug, a lack of familiarity with this command can have negative consequences to your ACL experience.
Title: Scheduling ProjectsAuthor: Porter Broyles
Summary: A step by step summary of the steps needed to execute an ACL program after hour or without user input.
Title: Sound Ex
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: (Originally posted to the ACL User Forum) Many people think that Soundex() is a good function for finding potential duplicates. There are a number of problems with SOUNDEX, and this essay explores those issues.
Title: Static
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: The Static Option is one that allows you to fill in missing data. Converting the first table to the second table:
| Transaction | Name | Account | Amount | Description |
| ABC12345 | TUG Group
| 1111 | 234.12 | Consulting Fee
|
| | 22222 | 432.43 | Parts |
| | 33333 | 12.12 | Tax |
| Transaction | Name | Account | Amount | Description |
| ABC12345 | TUG Group
| 1111
| 234.12
| Consulting Fee
|
| ABC12345 | TUG Group
| 22222 | 432.43 | Parts |
| ABC12345 | TUG Group
| 33333 | 12.12 | Tax |
Title: Stratify Command Ranges
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: A query on the ACL User Forum regarding stratification ranges resulted in this post explaining how ranges work.
Title: Unusual Functions and Commands
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: At the January 2008, Houston TexasACL User Group meeting, the group discussed unusual uses for functions and scripts. This is the powerpoint presentation that was shared at the meeting.
Title: Using Workspaces to Learn "Define Field" Syntax
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: Workspaces can be used as a tool to learn how to write DEFINE FIELD syntax.
Title: Variable Substitution: The Basics
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: This essay explains the basics of variable usage and variable substitution.
Title: Variable Substitutions: Common Uses
Author: Porter Broyles
Summary: This essay demonstrates some of the common uses of variables.
Title: Variable Substitution: Advanced UsageAuthor: Porter Broyles
Summary: This essay covers some of the advanced usage of variables.
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Neither ACL TexasACL nor the script writers warranty or guarantee the effectiveness or reliability of any information or scripts provided herein. Users are advised to validate the effectiveness/reliability on their own.