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locations, then, after installation and before running the program, edit the FSCTSCycle.ini file to reflect
where your programs are located. If you have questions, please call.
Change Analysis Parameters
The parameters that the program uses to run the analysis are all adjustable by the user. The possible
adjustments vary based upon cycle length, and the defaults have been set to reduce the time it takes to run
the analysis.
1.9 Data Types
We support three primary data types: CSI, ASCII, and Metastock, and also read data from Excel files
exported from Bloomberg, and from Worden Bros (TC2000). Occasionally spreads and continuation files
can have negative values. The program will write the data with a constant and do the analysis on this file.
CSI files do not allow negative numbers, so when you use such a file with negative numbers, it is likely that
the analysis will not be correct. Spreads should be written to ASCII files.
Excel
The Techsignal™ program reads Excel files produced by Bloomberg, and Excel files with three headers and
two columns. The first column read is a Julian Date and the second column is the closing period value.
CSI
Techsignal™ reads CSI's quicktrieve format. This is the standard CSI format. It also reads Unfair Advantage
files in this format. CSI files numbered and respectively named beginning with F001.dta. Information about
each file is stored in a Qmaster file that catalogs and describes each numbered file. You must be able to
find the folder that has CSI Quicktrieve data and contains a Qmaster file. When you build a portfolio you can
load all the files in the Qmaster at once, or one file at a time.
Metastock
Techsignal™ reads Metastock and Computrac data. This format was designed by Computrac many years
ago and is an evolving format. There are several versions of this format. We read the original Computrac
and Metastock format as well as the new Metastock format. Metastock data files are numbered and begin
with F1.dat and continue by changing the number sequentially.
Information about each file is stored in a file called a Master file that describes each numbered file. The
original format has a Master file, and the new format use an Emaster or extended Master file. Earlier
versions also had numbered Dop files such as F1.Dop which gave additional information about each file.
There was a Dop file for every Dat file. The industry no longer supports this system, and we do not read
these files. Many data services however still provide Dop files but they are not necessary any longer. If
your data has Dop files Techsignal™ will ignore them.
When you build a portfolio with Metastock data, you must find the folder that has your Metastock data.
Metastock data are identified by a folder containing numbered files like F1.dat and either an Emaster or
Master file. AIQ for example is a data vendor which uses this format. When you build a portfolio with
Metastock data, you can load all the files at once with a Master or Emaster file, or one file at a time as with
the other data formats.
ASCII
Techsignal™ reads various types of ASCII data. ASCII data can either be what’s called comma or space
delimited. No other delimiters are allowed. ASCII requires that you input descriptive headers. There must
be no numbers in the headers unless they are inside double quotes. Unlike Metastock and CSI, there is no
Master type file and no strict standard.
When you build a portfolio using ASCII data, you must choose one file at a time; you cannot load an entire
folder of ASCII files as you can with say Metastock. This Metastock time-saving feature is one reason we
recommend using Metastock data.
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