After I got my head out of the "personal use only box" I can see why you would not release it. I was wanting it solely for my own use. Whereas if you released it, it would surely be used for monetary gain. Sorry if I had a "tone" in my previous message.

Dean

I started this thread before I found the other thread we are discussing in.

My plan was to update the symboldatabase and then use downloader to add the stocks that were missing (or missing because of name changes) as it appears the downloader will no add a symbol that already exists.

It was a crude and rude idea that would work, but with no grace at all. Would have saved some time, but not near the time that what your proposing will.

Dean

I have determined 2 ways to create secuirty files from symbols: Use a .SYM file or use the symboldatabase from you. Problem with your file, that it only comes every month or so, and it can be a a ways off what is current.

So far, from what I can tell, the fastest way to create the security files (from symbols) is using the downloader and importing a .SYM file, but the .sym file does not have "exchange" name ino in it.

I personally use a folder for each of the exchanges (ASE, NYSE,NASDAQ,OTC,CDNX,TSX and the 2 BB variants) that way, it does I have also determined that the downloader will not create security files for a symbol that already exists.

My final thought was to do my method of getting name changes (symbols) from the download log, create .sym files (uniquely named for each of my exchange foder) from the SymbolDatabase file, update the .sym files with the changes, then use the downloader with the .sym files to create the new files, and eventually remove the old symbols (manually)

Not a simple process, but better than one at a time. I had figured I would do it every weekend.

I know that the symboldatabase.dta file is NOT my local data.

Ideally, I would determine the symbols in each of my folders and directly rename them their.I just don't know how to do that, and from what you tell me, the file formats are private and I couldn't do it.

Dean

Will you be permitted to let us know if you have permission to work on this utility? As well, will you be able to give us an idea when you might be able to start on it?

Dean

I'm not certain if I could tell you it has started, but I know I could never promise a release date.

1) I could look into this, but not sure.

2) I should be able to add a check box to that delete option that also goes through all the SYM files in the same folder as the database.

3) You'll have to explain more on how you think that would work.

3) You'll have to explain more on how you think that would work.

This feature would look at a special .SYM file that would contain lines of

ORIG-SYMBOL, NEW-SYMBOL, optional NEW-COMP-NAME

ORIG-SYMBOL - Used to lookup existing info in local dat

NEW-SYMBOL - New symbol for the company

NEW-COMP-NAME - Optional parameter, used if the symbol was staying the same, but name (as displayed in MS, was changing

If the XYllophone Zoo, symbol: XYZ was changing its name to "Marks Music Mart" the line for that would be

XYZ XYZ "Marks Music Mart"

If later the company decided to change its symbol to MMM, either your original design could do it, or the following could in ths special .SYM file:

XYZ MMM

As the name was not changing, it wouldn't be required

Basically what this feature would do, and some others I won't mention, would generally do, is do for "BULK" quantities of stocks is what the Downloader already does for single stocks. Make Sense?

Dean