                           What's New for "STAR"


Nov 27, 2003 - STARS.EXE with added functionality.
Dec 01, 2003 - STARS.EXE prompts made more understandable.
Dec 02, 2003 - "=STAR.DEFN.FILE" directive added to allow grouping of
               directives.
Dec 03, 2003 - STAR.TXT edited for clarity.
Dec 09, 2003 - Comment lines now implemented for separate directive files.
Dec 18, 2003 - STARS now supports default input files, i.e. STAR.DEF.
Dec 20, 2003 - STAR detects a failed recalibration of a STAR account associated with
               a zero payment autopay and outputs a message explaining how
               to properly do this.
Dec 31, 2003 - Add additional filter IGNORE_DUPLICATES to STARS.EXE
Jan 03, 2004 - Fix memory allocation bugs associated with balance projection
Jan 05, 2004 - Change defaults for input file prompt for STARS.EXE
Jan 12, 2004 - Add CALC.EXE and COLORS.EXE to software package
Feb 08, 2004 - Add maximum length checking for strings
Feb 09, 2004 - Input file prompts uniformized
Feb 10, 2004 - "=STAR.DUP.CHK.NBR" added to allow duplicate check numbers.
Feb 11, 2004 - Fix problem with "number of lines written" reporting.
Feb 11, 2004 - Credit card processor CB.EXE now will filter duplicate charges.
Feb 18, 2004 - "=STAR.AUTO.PAY" now processes non-default amounts correctly.
Feb 19, 2004 - "=STAR.AUTO.PAY" now allows <initial balance>.
Mar 09, 2004 - "=STAR.ALERT.YYMMDD" now allows alert date offset "+/-".
Mar 10, 2004 - STAR compatible PCALC programming language introduced.
Mar 13, 2004 - Resolve problem with undetected commas in numerical values
Mar 15, 2004 - "=STAR.AUTO.PAY.AVE" income averaging added.
Mar 16, 2004 - Pseudo star accounts created.
Mar 21, 2004 - Budget statistics improvement
Mar 22, 2004 - "=STAR.BUDGET.MMX" budget estimation minimum and maximum added.
Mar 22, 2004 - How to estimate targets for budget accounts added.
Mar 23, 2004 - "etgt" definition changed.
Mar 23, 2004 - Release date for version 5.0
Mar 26, 2004 - How to handle external direct expenses revised.
Mar 31, 2004 - Fix bug in PCE.EXE when months is specified rather than days
Mar 31, 2004 - "=STAR.DEFLATED.PAY" estimator added.
Apr 03, 2004 - "How to manage a budget" created.
Apr 14, 2004 - PCALC "nextline module" command with no label specified fixed.
Apr 14, 2004 - PCALC hash table capacity increase to 10000 from 1000.
Apr 14, 2004 - PCALC "parameter ignore nofind/find" and "pc_ignore_sts" added.
Apr 14, 2004 - PCALC sample program PCALC.PC8 added.
Apr 15, 2004 - "How to manage a budget" updated.
Apr 15, 2004 - Release date for version 5.1
Apr 16, 2004 - CB.EXE now automatically enters charge descriptions into .DEF.
Apr 18, 2004 - Values in STAR files now can be CALC expressions.
Apr 19, 2004 - Sort added to STARS and sort method for STAR and STARS refined.
Apr 19, 2004 - "=STAR.CALC" directive added.
Apr 19, 2004 - All numerical STAR expressions now processed by CALC.
Apr 20. 2004 - Global/local variable mixup for PCALC fixed.
Apr 20, 2004 - PCALC now allows starting address with input/output parameters.
Apr 21, 2004 - Starting address protocol for PCALC clarified.
Apr 23, 2004 - Release date for version 5.2
Apr 24, 2004 - CB.EXE now allows "/nostate" switch.
Jun 03, 2004 - &tottgt now displays even if STAR.BUDGET.PRM is out of range.
Jun 03, 2004 - change in STAR.TXT for "how to manage a budget".
Jul 19, 2004 - change in STAR.TXT for "one note of caution".
Jul 30, 2004 - extensions for &<budget> variables documented in PCALC.TXT.
Jul 30, 2004 - new star variable "#prev" created and documented in PCALC.TXT.
Jul 30, 2004 - How to verify the budget amount using PCALC added to STAR.TXT.
Jul 30, 2004 - Bug involving multiple calls to PCALC in STAR fixed.
Aug 01, 2004 - Embedded if statement branching fixed for PCALC.
Sep 18, 2004 - SB for displaying balance created.
Oct 04, 2004 - pc_dbm pcalc database tool added.
Oct 05, 2004 - Release date for version 6.0
Oct 09, 2004 - bug in star pcalc interface fixed (star macro execution).
Oct 09, 2004 - more pcalc examples added.
Oct 09, 2004 - print.bat now included replacing dosprint.exe.
Oct 10, 2004 - correct file error messages in STARS.EXE.
Oct 11, 2004 - Release date for version 6.1
Oct 14, 2004 - correct DUP error in CB.EXE for negative charges.
Oct 19, 2004 - correct STAR error adding comment to embedded new star account.
Oct 19, 2004 - correct STAR sign error when using percentages for star account.
Oct 19, 2004 - correct STAR macro error for same arg appearing multiple times.
Oct 19, 2004 - re-define simple additions/subtractions in STAR as internal.
Oct 20, 2004 - BACKUP program now included.
Oct 27, 2004 - Release date for version 6.2
Nov 28, 2004 - correct re-calibration bug that failed to process line.
Nov 29, 2004 - correct DBFMOD file name display error.
Nov 29, 2004 - "A" only format now size-adjusts for PCALC proceedures.
Nov 30, 2004 - error message for join field not found corrected.
Nov 30, 2004 - field names increased to 40 characters due to joined names.
Nov 30, 2004 - error for joined fields to csv file corrected.
Nov 30, 2004 - PCALC statement PC_HASH added.
Dec 01, 2004 - error in join for multiple joined fields corrected.
Dec 01, 2004 - "join1" command for PCALC statement PC_DBM added.
Dec 01, 2004 - soft fields "xxx" now allowed for PCALC PC_DBM join command.
Dec 03, 2004 - Recompile all programs using Intel compiler 8.1.
Dec 08, 2004 - CB.EXE updated to be more flexible.
Dec 10, 2004 - CB.BAT created.
Dec 11, 2004 - BACKUP updated with relative displacement for *yymmdd*.
Jan 15, 2005 - How to pass arguments from STAR to PCALC explained.
Feb 09, 2005 - String manager function VS added to CALC.
Feb 09, 2005 - How to pass a character string to a PCALC module using VS.
Feb 09, 2005 - CB.EXE prompted data now does not prompt multiple times.
Mar 02, 2005 - Maximum size of star account and "()" qualifier increased.
Mar 02, 2005 - Star account qualifer "()" for "tvpay" example corrected.
Mar 13, 2005 - Non-zero autopay adjustments now listed in output file.
Apr 08, 2005 - Multiple star account definitions are now accumulated.
Apr 18, 2005 - Problem with decimal input conversion fixed.
May 05, 2005 - Return status corrected for CALC module.
Jun 21, 2005 - Audit balance and associated variables added.
Nov 06, 2005 - Star account "star#" created.
Nov 09, 2005 - PCALC "spawnq" command added.
Nov 11, 2005 - PCALC "spawnc" command added.
Dec 16, 2005 - =STAR.PCALC.CLOSE statement added.
Jan 01, 2006 - STARS search file syntax improved. "@" now used for file of files to search.
Jan 01, 2006 - STAR will now disallow ambiguous macro usage.
Jan 03, 2006 - Internal operations further explained in the "@@" context.
Jan 14, 2006 - Recursive calls to PCALC now supported for STAR calls.
Jan 14, 2006 - Bug fix for argument calling stack in PCALC.
Jan 29, 2006 - Bug fix for PCALC SPAWNC command.
Jan 29, 2006 - Monthly cycles added to PCALC SPAWNC command.
Feb 09, 2006 - CALC string addressing problem fixed.
Jul 04, 2006 - STAR.TLN defined.
Jul 04, 2006 - Comments starting with " - " now allowed for budget outputs.
Jul 11, 2006 - STAR.OBJECT.SUM added.
Jul 18, 2006 - "general_funds" example of default amount "(...)" corrected.
Aug 26, 2006 - "STAR.ALERT=<value>" added for STAR.AUTO.PAY.
Oct 09, 2006 - Special symbol "<*[star_account]>" added.
Mar 10, 2007 - file\#dpay variables etc. now corrected in pc_star call.
Apr 22, 2007 - STAR.OBJECT.TOTAL added.
Jun 01, 2007 - Release date for version 7.0.
Jul 08, 2007 - wild card now allowed for STARS.
Jul 15, 2007 - STAR variable "#balance" in PCALC bug fixed.
Jul 16, 2007 - Parsing bug for parentheses in PCALC fixed.
Jul 17, 2007 - "Newfile" command modified so as not to erase data when repeated.
Jul 17, 2007 - Stack error (repeated execution) in PCALC fixed.
Jul 17, 2007 - Release date for version 7.1.
Aug 03, 2007 - Most dates now can be symbolically entered in TRNLNM.DAT
Sep 15, 2007 - "STAR.EXECUTE=<command>" added for STAR.AUTO.PAY.
Oct 19, 2007 - STAR.PCALC processing start clarified.
Dec 13, 2007 - Failure to execute macro due to stack pre-emption fixed.
Dec 13, 2007 - "*account=()" now defined for autopay accounts.
Dec 13, 2007 - "STAR.QUIET" added for STAR.AUTO.PAY.
Feb 16, 2008 - PCALC "list" command wild card bug fixed.
Feb 16, 2008 - PCALC syntax error messaging improved.
Feb 16, 2008 - PCALC sample files repaired.
Feb 22, 2008 - PCALC STAR "&" variables now zero if undefined.
Mar 01, 2008 - STAR variable #BAL_ADJ.<account> added.
Mar 01, 2008 - Release date for version 7.2.
Jun 27, 2008 - "%%internal_only%%" errors fixed.
Jul 08, 2008 - "missing () for autopay" error fixed
Jul 10, 2008 - "<#payments/yr>" can now be negative for autopay.
Jul 14, 2008 - "star.run=n" macro qualifier added.
Jul 15, 2008 - CB.EXE duplicate problem fixed.
Jul 16, 2008 - =STAR.FUTURBAL implemented.
Jul 17, 2008 - "abal=" explained and associated display fixed.
Sep 19, 2008 - "star.history" added to =STAR.FUTURBAL.
Nov 01, 2008 - date error in =STAR.FUTURBAL corrected.
Nov 14, 2008 - sub accounts added using the =STAR.SUBACCOUNT "<x>" Y/N command.
Nov 16. 2008 - ".a", ".b" and "(dd)" added to =STAR.FUTURBAL
Dec 07, 2008 - SBK bat command added.
Dec 14, 2008 - star.message="<message>" added.
Dec 16, 2008 - star.b1, star.m1 and pstar.b1 added as sample files.
Dec 19, 2008 - truncation error when formatting floating point numbers in pc_calc fixed.
Dec 20, 2008 - insufficient arguments check for macro execution implemented.
Dec 24, 2008 - auto =STAR.FUTURBAL implemented.
Dec 26, 2008 - explicit PCALC file path to the active STAR file now recognized.
Dec 28, 2008 - sub account <y> parameter options "Z" and "A" added.
Dec 30, 2008 - CB.SAV now used as a different method to detect duplicates.
Dec 31, 2008 - "&date=" parameter added for =STAR.FUTURBAL.PRM directive.
Jan 04, 2009 - =STAR.FUTURBAL replace error fixed for case star account created.
Jan 06, 2009 - @@ macro directive introduced to allowed embedded @@macros.
Jan 07, 2009 - CB.EXE now accepts default account and default file.
Jan 08, 2009 - "insufficient arguments" error fixed for "<*...>".
Jan 08, 2009 - "star.alert" implemented for =STAR.FUTURBAL transactions.
Jan 10, 2009 - audit list implemented for =STAR.FUTURBAL auto transactions.
Jan 11, 2009 - number of dates in =STAR.FUTURBAL star.history error fixed
Jan 11, 2009 - processing of =STAR.FUTURBAL star.days=complete error fixed.
Jan 11, 2009 - number of items for =STAR.FUTURBAL star.history comment.
Jan 11, 2009 - sub account error when level skipped fixed.
Jan 13, 2009 - <account> parameter introduced for =STAR.CHARGE.USED.
Jan 14, 2009 - sub account processing error corrected.
Jan 17, 2009 - issue with insufficient argument checking for macros fixed.
Jan 24, 2009 - overdue =STAR.FUTURBAL transaction now still debited
Jan 30, 2009 - "@@" macro directive changed to a single "@"
Feb 01, 2009 - =STAR.TARGET.DOT and =STAR.TARGET.SUM added.
Feb 14, 2009 - problem with auto transaction for =STAR.FUTURBAL corrected.
Feb 14, 2009 - COMAUTO used when auto transaction complete.
Feb 14, 2009 - STAR.ACCOUNT.SUM directive created.
Feb 16, 2009 - "remcom", "maxdif", "maxpdf" and "maxndf" added to =STAR.FUTURBAL
Feb 17, 2009 - "max*" in = STAR.FUTURBAL does not apply to star accounts.
Feb 18, 2009 - "remcma" and "audcom" added to =STAR.FUTURBAL
Feb 19, 2009 - SB.EXE functionality described in STAR.TXT.
Feb 19, 2009 - STAR.FUTURBAL audcom problem fixed.
Feb 22, 2009 - STAR.FUTURBAL audcom explained better in STAR.TXT.
Feb 24, 2009 - "%" immediate execution added to STAR.FUTURBAL.
Feb 28, 2009 - STAR.SBK.COMMAND directive added.
Feb 28, 2009 - comment sentinel "!" clarified and corrected.
Feb 28, 2009 - line number now displays when an error occurs.
Mar 01, 2009 - "@" for STAR.FUTURBAL explained.
Mar 03, 2009 - CB now prompts for the previous balance and displays the total.
Mar 14, 2009 - STAR.FUTURBAL uses (31) as end of month. ".A" and ".B" extended.
Mar 21, 2009 - SB.EXE display improved. ASK.EXE "question" created.
Mar 29, 2009 - Internal processing of =STAR.ALERT.YYMMDD file names improved.
Mar 29, 2009 - Compilied without optimization due to compilier failure.
Mar 29, 2009 - "/a" switch created for alert only processing.
Apr 07, 2009 - default state for STAR.FUTURBAL changed to ONETIME.
Apr 07, 2009 - STAR.FURTURBAL qualifier FOREVER created.
Apr 07, 2009 - release date for version 7.7.8
