I believe that SMCL is not difficult on it's own. The problem, as far
as I can see, is in it's originality. There is plenty of books,
websites, forums on HTML; not as many, but still numerous on TeX or
PostScript, but try to find one on SMCL? The problem however is wider
I think, since other sides of Stata have the same flaw: we now have a
Stata language, Mata language, a special language for writing dialogs
(and scripts within), another for SMCL, etc. It is not a problem that
there are a few new commands, the problem is in new "conventions" and
"rules of the game". Some unification is I think very much desired
here.
For those who think about writing help files, I suggest taking one of
the supplied help files and change the text all-over within to your
text, keeping the formatting commands. It is so much easier than
starting from scratch. Alternatively, I don't see any problem in
supplying help in HTML/PDF format, since it can be open anywhere Stata
runs now. A simple smcl-wrapper with a single link to this file and
text informing the user that the help is located in that file is
enough and can be done easily.
Best regards,
Sergiy Radyakin
On 4/11/08, Richard Williams <[email protected]> wrote:
> At 03:09 AM 4/11/2008, Tamas Bartus (tbartus) wrote:
> > I also find smcl a bit difficult, writing a help file is not a pleasure
> (probably I miss
> > some necessary skills). Did StataCorp considered or does consider in the
> future other languages?
> > HTML for example? I just discovered by chance that even SPSS 14. can
> > produce almost publication quality HTML log files.
> >
>
> Writing programs is kind of fun, but writing help files is pure drudgery.
> If somebody has written templates that make Textpad or other programs easier
> to use when writing help files, I'd love to see them. I know Statacorp has
> a long wish list, but anything it could come up with would be appreciated.
> I've heard people say that they didn't bother to put their programs on SSC
> because they didn't want to write a help file.
>
>
> -------------------------------------------
> Richard Williams, Notre Dame Dept of Sociology
> OFFICE: (574)631-6668, (574)631-6463
> HOME: (574)289-5227
> EMAIL: [email protected]
> WWW: http://www.nd.edu/~rwilliam
>
>
> *
> * For searches and help try:
> * http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
> * http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
> * http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
>
*
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
