Automated Postings -> Transaction Modifiers

[Simon Michael]

Hey all,

I am pretty close to switching to "Transaction Modifiers" as a primary term to replace "Automated Postings". This was motivated by code cleanups, but I'm inclined to carry it through to docs too for consistent language.

"Automated Transactions" (Ledger's term) doesn't work.
"Modifier Transactions" is old terminology that doesn't work either.
"Automated Postings" is something I made up to be more distinct from Periodic Transactions.
"Transaction Rewrite Rules" is too long.
"Transaction Modifiers" is boring but seems about right.

Transaction Modifiers are the same automated posting rules you're familiar with. Currently all they do is add automated postings, but they could do more if it's ever worthwhile. (Add transaction comments, remove postings, split postings.. ?)

If you think I'm needlessly messing up the language, let me know.

[Simon Michael]

Post by Simon Michael
Hey all,
I am pretty close to switching to "Transaction Modifiers" as a primary term to replace "Automated Postings". This was motivated by code cleanups, but I'm inclined to carry it through to docs too for consistent language.
"Automated Transactions" (Ledger's term) doesn't work.
"Modifier Transactions" is old terminology that doesn't work either.
"Automated Postings" is something I made up to be more distinct from Periodic Transactions.
"Transaction Rewrite Rules" is too long.
"Transaction Modifiers" is boring but seems about right.
Transaction Modifiers are the same automated posting rules you're familiar with. Currently all they do is add automated postings, but they could do more if it's ever worthwhile. (Add transaction comments, remove postings, split postings.. ?)
If you think I'm needlessly messing up the language, let me know.

PS. I would be renaming the "Automated Postings" topic in the journal format manual to "Transaction Modifiers". But I probably wouldn't rename the --auto flag. Though it would now be inconsistent, it's pleasant to type. At most, we might want to add an alternative spelling (--rewrite, to tie in the with very similar rewrite command ?).

It's the little things...

[Karan Ahuja]

what is the best place to donate simon.

my paycheck is gonna come :)

cheers,
karan

Post by Simon Michael

Post by Simon Michael
Hey all,
I am pretty close to switching to "Transaction Modifiers" as a primary

term to replace "Automated Postings". This was motivated by code cleanups,
but I'm inclined to carry it through to docs too for consistent language.

Post by Simon Michael
"Automated Transactions" (Ledger's term) doesn't work.
"Modifier Transactions" is old terminology that doesn't work either.
"Automated Postings" is something I made up to be more distinct from

Periodic Transactions.

Post by Simon Michael
"Transaction Rewrite Rules" is too long.
"Transaction Modifiers" is boring but seems about right.
Transaction Modifiers are the same automated posting rules you're

familiar with. Currently all they do is add automated postings, but they
could do more if it's ever worthwhile. (Add transaction comments, remove
postings, split postings.. ?)

Post by Simon Michael
If you think I'm needlessly messing up the language, let me know.

PS. I would be renaming the "Automated Postings" topic in the journal
format manual to "Transaction Modifiers". But I probably wouldn't rename
the --auto flag. Though it would now be inconsistent, it's pleasant to
type. At most, we might want to add an alternative spelling (--rewrite, to
tie in the with very similar rewrite command ?).
It's the little things...
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[Simon Michael]

Thanks for your support Karan. Right now paypal, or other links on http://hledger.org <http://hledger.org/> . I have been meaning to add Patreon and whatever good new options are out there.

All amounts welcome. I hope hledger is helping you prosper!

Post by Karan Ahuja
what is the best place to donate simon.
my paycheck is gonna come :)
cheers,
karan

Post by Simon Michael
Hey all,
I am pretty close to switching to "Transaction Modifiers" as a primary term to replace "Automated Postings". This was motivated by code cleanups, but I'm inclined to carry it through to docs too for consistent language.
"Automated Transactions" (Ledger's term) doesn't work.
"Modifier Transactions" is old terminology that doesn't work either.
"Automated Postings" is something I made up to be more distinct from Periodic Transactions.
"Transaction Rewrite Rules" is too long.
"Transaction Modifiers" is boring but seems about right.
Transaction Modifiers are the same automated posting rules you're familiar with. Currently all they do is add automated postings, but they could do more if it's ever worthwhile. (Add transaction comments, remove postings, split postings.. ?)
If you think I'm needlessly messing up the language, let me know.

PS. I would be renaming the "Automated Postings" topic in the journal format manual to "Transaction Modifiers". But I probably wouldn't rename the --auto flag. Though it would now be inconsistent, it's pleasant to type. At most, we might want to add an alternative spelling (--rewrite, to tie in the with very similar rewrite command ?).
It's the little things...
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[Brandon Olivares]

Sounds cool, something I think that would be worthwhile is making --auto default, or at least having a way to set this in my environment. I make heavy use of automatic transactions, and often I forget to type --auto.

Post by Simon Michael

Post by Simon Michael
Hey all,
I am pretty close to switching to "Transaction Modifiers" as a primary term to replace "Automated Postings". This was motivated by code cleanups, but I'm inclined to carry it through to docs too for consistent language.
"Automated Transactions" (Ledger's term) doesn't work.
"Modifier Transactions" is old terminology that doesn't work either.
"Automated Postings" is something I made up to be more distinct from Periodic Transactions.
"Transaction Rewrite Rules" is too long.
"Transaction Modifiers" is boring but seems about right.
Transaction Modifiers are the same automated posting rules you're familiar with. Currently all they do is add automated postings, but they could do more if it's ever worthwhile. (Add transaction comments, remove postings, split postings.. ?)
If you think I'm needlessly messing up the language, let me know.

PS. I would be renaming the "Automated Postings" topic in the journal format manual to "Transaction Modifiers". But I probably wouldn't rename the --auto flag. Though it would now be inconsistent, it's pleasant to type. At most, we might want to add an alternative spelling (--rewrite, to tie in the with very similar rewrite command ?).
It's the little things...
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[Zoran Zaric]

How does everybody use automatic transactions?

Do you use them for recurring transactions like monthly rent and then keep the explicit transactions out of your journal?

If this is the main use case, then I would +1 making --auto the default.

Post by Brandon Olivares
Sounds cool, something I think that would be worthwhile is making --auto default, or at least having a way to set this in my environment. I make heavy use of automatic transactions, and often I forget to type --auto.

Post by Simon Michael

Post by Simon Michael
Hey all,
I am pretty close to switching to "Transaction Modifiers" as a primary term to replace "Automated Postings". This was motivated by code cleanups, but I'm inclined to carry it through to docs too for consistent language.
"Automated Transactions" (Ledger's term) doesn't work.
"Modifier Transactions" is old terminology that doesn't work either.
"Automated Postings" is something I made up to be more distinct from Periodic Transactions.
"Transaction Rewrite Rules" is too long.
"Transaction Modifiers" is boring but seems about right.
Transaction Modifiers are the same automated posting rules you're familiar with. Currently all they do is add automated postings, but they could do more if it's ever worthwhile. (Add transaction comments, remove postings, split postings.. ?)
If you think I'm needlessly messing up the language, let me know.

PS. I would be renaming the "Automated Postings" topic in the journal format manual to "Transaction Modifiers". But I probably wouldn't rename the --auto flag. Though it would now be inconsistent, it's pleasant to type. At most, we might want to add an alternative spelling (--rewrite, to tie in the with very similar rewrite command ?).
It's the little things...

[Brandon Olivares]

Currently I'm using them to split income into various budget envelopes. So when I forget to type --auto, my budgets get all messed up and I panic for a second thinking I majorly overspent.

In my business ledger I use them to calculate estimated taxes.

Post by Zoran Zaric
How does everybody use automatic transactions?
Do you use them for recurring transactions like monthly rent and then keep the explicit transactions out of your journal?
If this is the main use case, then I would +1 making --auto the default.

Post by Brandon Olivares
Sounds cool, something I think that would be worthwhile is making --auto default, or at least having a way to set this in my environment. I make heavy use of automatic transactions, and often I forget to type --auto.

Post by Simon Michael

Post by Simon Michael
Hey all,
I am pretty close to switching to "Transaction Modifiers" as a primary term to replace "Automated Postings". This was motivated by code cleanups, but I'm inclined to carry it through to docs too for consistent language.
"Automated Transactions" (Ledger's term) doesn't work.
"Modifier Transactions" is old terminology that doesn't work either.
"Automated Postings" is something I made up to be more distinct from Periodic Transactions.
"Transaction Rewrite Rules" is too long.
"Transaction Modifiers" is boring but seems about right.
Transaction Modifiers are the same automated posting rules you're familiar with. Currently all they do is add automated postings, but they could do more if it's ever worthwhile. (Add transaction comments, remove postings, split postings.. ?)
If you think I'm needlessly messing up the language, let me know.

PS. I would be renaming the "Automated Postings" topic in the journal format manual to "Transaction Modifiers". But I probably wouldn't rename the --auto flag. Though it would now be inconsistent, it's pleasant to type. At most, we might want to add an alternative spelling (--rewrite, to tie in the with very similar rewrite command ?).
It's the little things...

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[Simon Michael]

Post by Zoran Zaric

Post by Brandon Olivares
Sounds cool, something I think that would be worthwhile is making --auto default, or at least having a way to set this in my environment. I make heavy use of automatic transactions, and often I forget to type --auto.

--auto by default. Hmm. What are the downsides ?

Post by Zoran Zaric
How does everybody use automatic transactions?

Same question here. Some of us have never used them, some seem to use them a lot.

Also remember there are two separate things, which are easy to confuse (hence my interest in good names):

Periodic Transactions are used for generating recurring transactions. They are activated by --forecast.

Transaction Modifiers (aka Automated Postings) are used for adding postings to existing transactions. They are activated by --auto.

[Zoran Zaric]

Post by Simon Michael

Post by Zoran Zaric

Post by Brandon Olivares
Sounds cool, something I think that would be worthwhile is making --auto default, or at least having a way to set this in my environment. I make heavy use of automatic transactions, and often I forget to type --auto.

--auto by default. Hmm. What are the downsides ?

Post by Zoran Zaric
How does everybody use automatic transactions?

Same question here. Some of us have never used them, some seem to use them a lot.
Periodic Transactions are used for generating recurring transactions. They are activated by --forecast.
Transaction Modifiers (aka Automated Postings) are used for adding postings to existing transactions. They are activated by --auto.

Wow.. I forgot about that.

Thanks for the clarification!