Can I change the format of TimeDate for Send Flows?

[Econdoc]

Hello again Desmanto,
Since you are in direct communication with Martin and since you seem to be an eager and adventuresome AM programmer, I would like to tell you about my AM experiences and my “Wish List.” I have spent many months learning how to use AM. I am far from proficient yet! There are many hidden secrets that could be made more apparent. AM could be much more accessible to new users. Here are some of my suggestions:
• The list of functions, description of variables, examples of expression, etc. appear on the webpage under Help > Action > Script. These should have their own menu entry under Help.
• More functions are listed under Help>Action>Control UI. This list also should be more readily available. If one does not stumble across these functions by accident, one does not know they exist! There should be a way to find functions, variables, syntax, etc. from the main menu.
• I had never seen the script examples that you linked to in your prior post (https://automagic4android.com/automagic ... mples.html). You state that Martin provides these examples on help. I cannot find this entry on the webpage. It would be a welcome addition, but this is the first time that I have seen this.
• Your excellent Index of useful threads is only available if you, personally, reply to a post, since the link is in your signature file. It is not apparent that such a helpful compendium of information even exists. This too should have a menu entry. Maybe there should be a NEW menu entry, in addition to Home, Evaluation, Help, Forum. Maybe something like Tips or Pointers or Examples.
• The descriptions of the actions, conditions, and triggers could be more complete. As an example, the Send/Share Intent Received that you used has a description this is not meaningful without explanation. You explained it well when you created your script for me, but I would not have understood what the purpose of this Trigger was without your discussion. There are many such issues. Longer, more complete explanations would be greatly appreciated by new users. Links to what “Intents” means would be very instructive. The Intent Received trigger is one example. There are scores of equivalent issues, not just this one.
• Examples of flows are desperately needed. Simple two or three entry flows would be a huge asset to those attempting their first flow. A library of 10 (or more) simple examples would be very educational to the new user. It would be best if such examples where in graphic form so the user could see the structure of the flow; i.e. Trigger, condition, action. I am not going to attempt to send a graphic for this discussion, but simple flows such as:
o Trigger: Power Source, AC, Connected. Action: Set Auto Sync State ON
o Trigger: Disconnect from Car Bluetooth, Action: Set WiFi State ON
would be illuminating to the newbie.
• It was not until you showed me (in another post) how to use Map that I had any idea what Map was or how Map might be used. I now know (I think) that Map is like an array of variables (keys) and their values. Maps are never defined on the website and I could find no examples of their use until you showed me how to clean up my code.
• I assume that in the many flow examples that are available on the website, someone has used say, addMapEntry, in their script. However, unless the word “addMapEntry” is in the text of the post, the use of addMapEntry is never exposed. I would gladly download a flow that used this function to see how it was used if I knew that it was in the flow example. No way to find it though!

I hope that some of these suggestions will be implemented. AM is a great program and more users will make it even greater.

[Desmanto]

Hahaha, need to clear something up first. I am just a user, just like you and others. I have no special connection with Martin, no direct communication. I've never met him before yet (would like to if there is a chance ) The only place I have ever communicate to him is in this forum.

I picked up automagic because of someone's comment on one of my favourite android sites. I don't even think to switch from tasker at first. But When I commit to switch (because of Control UI), i spent the next 4 days just to read the whole documentation from the help section (yes, i read them all!) Even though i don't understand at first, but reading it surely help me to remember some certain action when I need it. Being an ex tasker user for 3 years surely give me another boost to use automagic. That's why I proudly declare that i have learnt and created more wonderful flow in automagic within 3 months, much more than whole 3 years in tasker. It has been more than half year already and I never think to go back to tasker anymore. I still open tasker occassionally, but not for creating profile/task; but to compare what automagic can do easily, but tasker can't

I agree on most of your post.
1. Yes, and to add more, the regular expression, dateformat pattern should be there too. Maybe I will link them in my index too later, for easier access.
2. Control UI function are separated from Script. While Control UI is just like a powered-up version of script, Martin can't make them one. The reason is Control UI require Accessibility service, while script don't. A few phones have problem with the accessibility services which is not compatible with Control UI. If Control UI and script are merged into 1, those users can't use action script too. So It has to be separated. Moreover, some user probably don't need the accessibility part. Turning on accessibility will drain your battery a bit faster. The function only can be found there, since it is the only place you can use it. You can't use Control UI specific function in script or expression. To know about Control UI specific function, you have to try it there. Thus I have my UI tester flow, specifically to test these.
3. That is because I've read it in the documentation at first. It is found at the Action - script - Function. I agree, it is way too hidden, kinda like playing hide and seek I Should link it later to my index for easier access.
4. My index is not the official help of Automagic. It contains mostly my post and will be quite confusing if I have my own section. Other will think I am official representative of Automagic, and suddenly whatever I post will be tied to Automagic itself. If I post something wrong, it will hurt automagic as well; while I am just another user trying to help from my view point. So it is better to stay separated. Maybe if Martin read this, if I may suggest, please make my index thread to be sticky. So other can find it easily
5. Intent, send broadcast, receiver are territory of developers. It is there to make sure if the users understand it, they can extend the usage to their needs. I mostly learn it by googling it pieces by pieces. Learn from the example and modify the working one to suit to another usage. Banging head usually needed here. But yeah, I wish the same too, if there are threads explain the basic of the intent, its usage, how to use it and various example for each usage. I would like the same also for using java, since it will extend automagic even further.
6. This one has been requested, as a template. Maybe I can find some time to copy most of common pattern flow to a group of flow and share it as a whole, along with the explanation. Example, Flow 1 to log variable to glovar, flow 2 to autofill input dialog, flow 3 to protect multiple parallel branching, etc. It will be fun to do that, since I certainly will learn something again during the process. But not in the near future, I got the speech flow to be finished first.
7. Map/List mostly are used more by someone who already familiar with programming. I also never use Map in tasker. I used list but at limited usage. It is after using automagic, i started to use map, list, and even the multi nested map and list (similar to JSON/XML). Because it is so easy to use Map/List in Automagic , the script is very flexible, very similar to excel logic. I am quite proficient as well in excel formula (not VBA macro), that's why I find automagic's scripting method very friendly. The vlookup/index formula can be easily seen as map and list in automagic, so similar logic. I would put some example of using map/list in the common pattern flow later.
8. Yes, the keyword are not exposed until someone mention it. I also miss some of the thread that I have read but forget to index. Now I can't find them anymore, because I also forget the keyword. Each function lack a real example on how to use it. It will be quite long to provide example for each. But sure it will help a lot of users when creating their script.

In short, Automagic is a great app, but still lacking documentation (even though it has a lot already!). It is the example of each usage need to be expanded. That's why I am trying at certain degree to influence other to use it. Maybe if more people use it, there are probably someone found the time to create a series of tutorial or even video tutorial just like in tasker.

[Econdoc]

I guess that we both love AM. How can we make sure Martin sees our ideas?

[Desmanto]

Martin should have seen this thread including the last post. But if you want to make sure, you can PM him.

I will just wait in the corner (while doing my part if I can). Martin has his own priority on which features should be put first. It takes time to develop and test new features. It takes even more time to document these!
I can create a flow let's say within an hour. But if I have to share it along with the explanation, probably it will take twice or thrice the time. (or maybe even more)

That's why sometimes I focus on the workaround first, without requesting new one. Only if the workaround is too ugly or time/resource consuming, then I will post it as request.

[Martin]

Hi,

I usually read most forum posts but it happens that I miss posts so feel free to PM or mail me whenever I don't see any questions.
Extending Automagic with more example flows is something that's on my todo list. Unfortunately I have a other high priority items on my todo list that have to be implemented first so it will certainly take some time until more flows in menu->Catalog become available.

Regards,
Martin