new test release of EpiData Manager available
Dear All
Due to funding received (and more expected) the development phase has been lengthened to summer 2011 allowing for the continuation of T.Christiansen to work fulltime on the restructuring. All programming is now done in Freepascal and Lazarus.
The development of the EpiData Manager has now come to a new stage, where test versions will be released with shorter intervals. The release will happen in these steps: a. Test placement of fields in data entry forms. Move fields, add sections. Only one form is allowed. Edit variable labels (questions). b. Include previous data structures on a form. Will import rec files and dta (stata) files. c. Write data files and export data structures to rec file and dta files d. Start development of a dedicated entry client. e. Add definition and editing of category labels (value labels). f. Add to data forms the possibility of translating labels and questions
If all goes well points a-f will be ready within the next few months. After this a new planning sequence will include relational aspects and multi entry forms of the same project, user access control and other coming aspects.
The first new release mentioned above (a) was released earlier today from http://www.epidata.dk/testing.php for the operating systems Linux, Mac and Windows.
It will seem as a backstep in relation to the previous test version, but we are approaching the same level with a completely new final XML data file structure. The new structure will accomodate all we would like and will be visible in the next stage (b), where users can see the xml structure.
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This first release is covering what happens in the definition of a single data form. Including the addition of new fields, new sections and heading lines.
A section is a sub-division of a single data entry form. A section has NOT been used previously in EpiData software and contains a number of fields. Jumps will allow jumps between sections and user access control will be at the section level.
When you first start the application you will see two sections, which can be moved, edited and deleted.
Jens Lauritsen EpiData Association
Over the next months development will focus on replacing basic functionality of current EpiData Entry - advanced aspects will be covered after this.
Users will ask: can we import all old rec+chk files and save to chk+rec files from the new system ? - the answer is: The new system will be able to read all single files and basic checks, whereas complex systems will not be directly convertible, e.g. systems with relate or many calculations in "after entry" blocks. The new system will in the end contain the same functionality, but in modernised way, where the simple types (e.g. mustenter, legal, range etc) are very easy to define, and complex and rarely used ones come in only for experts.
The essense is to be highly focused on the niche for EpiData Software: simplicity and focus on data quality. But do so in view of current demands for data documentation, open standards, transparency btw. operating systems.
Priority in the next 6 months will be given to conversion to the new principle for: a. simple projects with only one data form. b. simple projects only applying basic controls of entry (value labels,legal, range, mustenter ....) c. import rec+chk and dta files for addition to or definition of data forms/structures d. import a single rec+chk file or dta file with data and revise structure - and save again with data. e. entry of data with a new dedicated entry client f. adaptation of analysis such that the new file types can be read
Users will - via this list - be asked for specific testing as we go along.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- regards Jens Lauritsen EpiData Association
Sections will be great to have! Everything described works on a Mac. Placement of sections sometimes fails to open the dialogue box to name the section, rendering the section as a white box, but not editable.
Jamie Hockin
On 2010-05-25, at 6:12 PM, epidata-list@lists.umanitoba.ca wrote:
The development of the EpiData Manager has now come to a new stage, where test versions will be released with shorter intervals. The release will happen in these steps: a. Test placement of fields in data entry forms. Move fields, add sections. Only one form is allowed. Edit variable labels (questions).
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