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Part I: Getting to Know You

eZine lover (@eZine)

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Capital Gainz

· 1 year ago

Chapter 2 - System Overview

This chapter discusses Capial Gainz' functions and files.

2.1 System Functions

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These functions are available from Capital Gainz' Main Menu.

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These functions are available from the Activity Menu.

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These functions are available after choosing Security on the Main Menu.

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These functions are available after choosing Log Maintenance on the Main Menu.

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These functions are available after choosing Portfolio on the Main Menu.

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These functions are available after choosing Global Security on the Main Menu.

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These functions are available after choosing Broker/Investment Company.

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These functions are available after choosing Security Type on the Main Menu.

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These functions are available after choosing Reports on the Main Menu.

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These functions are available after choosing User Settings on the Main Menu.

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The functions are available after choosing View Documentation.

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These functions are available from the Utility Program.

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These functions are available from the Graphics Program.

2.1.1 File Relationships

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This illustrates the relationships between Capital Gainz data files.

2.2 Progress Displays

Capital Gainz displays messages at the bottom of the screen when it's busy with time-consuming activities such as updating multiple records. Sometimes these messages flash rather quickly. Any errors displayed will pause for user input.

2.3 Executables and Related Files

The following executable files are installed in the Program Directory:

CAPGNZ.EXE: The main executable file for Capital Gainz. It's very large, and contains numerous overlays to fit into limited DOS conventional memory. This is the last command executed by CG.BAT.
CAPGNZ.INF: Created at installation (or the first time you run CAPGNZ.EXE), this file contains information for CAPGNZ.EXE. The format of this file is:

Program Directory - base directory for executable files
Documentation Directory - used to view user documentation
Revision Number - determines if you need to upgrade
Temporary Directory - for temporary files (also in CG.BAT)
<Unused>
<Unused>
Registration Number
Your Name

CAPGNZBU.BAT: A simple backup batch file that copies your data files to diskette. There is a single parameter, the destination drive to copy to. For example, to copy your data files TO drive A:

          C:> CD \CAPGNZ 
          C:> CAPGNZBU A

You can change it as needed. For instance, if your data files are too large to fit on one diskette, you may want to compress them with PKZIP. CAPGNZBU.BAT is the default command executed by the Backup option on the Capital Gainz Main Menu.

CAPGNZRS.BAT: A simple restore batch file. It does the opposite of CAPGNZBU.BAT, as it copies data files from diskette. There is a single parameter, the source drive to copy from. For example, to copy your data files FROM drive A:

          C:> CD \CAPGNZ 
          C:> CAPGNZRS A

If you change CAPGNZBU.BAT, you should make analogous changes to CAPGNZRS.BAT. For instance, if you use PKZIP to compress your files in CAPGNZBU.BAT, then use PKUNZIP to decompress them in CAPGNZRS.BAT. CAPGNZRS.BAT is not executed by Capital Gainz.

CG.BAT: The startup batch file for Capital Gainz created at installation (or the first time you execute CAPGNZ.EXE.) It changes to the Capital Gainz program directory specified at installation, deletes any temporary files, sets up the temporary directory, and then executes CAPGNZ.EXE.

If you want to switch between Capital Gainz, the Utility Program, and the Graphics Program. you must start Capital Gainz with CG.BAT.

You may want to change CG.BAT, such as adding a line to backup your data files before executing CAPGNZ.EXE.

CGGRAPH.EXE: The Capital Gainz Graphics Program, which lets you generate a variety of graphs with your data. It's large, and contains numerous overlays to fit into limited DOS conventional memory.

See Chapter 19 for a full description of CGGRAPH.EXE.

CGGRAPH.PCX: The initial logo screen displayed by the Graphics Program.
CGUTIL.EXE: The Capital Gainz Utility Program, which lets you upgrade files from previous versions, copy/move securities, copy/move portfolios, and import/export files. It also uses overlays to reduce memory requirements.

See Chapter 18 for a full description of CGUTIL.EXE.

===>>>

CLARION.RTL: A runtime library containing common code used by CAPGNZ.EXE, CGUTIL.EXE, and CGGRAPH.EXE.
DP.EXE: The DoublePrint utility, which gives you some handy printing features such printing 2 pages per sheet on a laser printer. If you use DP.EXE regularly, you may want to move it to a directory on your DOS PATH for convenient access.

For a full list of DP.EXE's features:

          C:> DP ?

RTLINKST.COM: Loads CLARION.RTL automatically when you run CAPGNZ.EXE, CGGRAPH.EXE, or CGUTIL.EXE.
*.STX, *.CHR: Miscellaneous font files used by the Graphics Program.

The following files are installed in the Demo Directory:

CGDEMO.EXE: The Capital Gainz demo/tutorial screen show. You should run this before you begin entering your own data in Capital Gainz.
CGGDEMO.EXE: The Capital Gainz Graphics demo/tutorial screen show.
CGSCRnn.LBR: Screen libraries, only used by the demo/tutorial.
CGDEMO.DOC: Instructions on how to run the demo.

The following files are not installed:

CGINST.BAT: This batch file is created and used during installation.
INSTALL.EXE: The Capital Gainz installation program.
INSTALL.HLP: Online help for INSTALL.EXE.
INSTALL.INF: This file contains the installation disk configuration.
INSTALL.LOG: This file is created in the Program Directory during the installation process. It includes messages indicating which files were installed and which existing files were renamed.
INSTALL.UPG: This file is created and used during data upgrade.

2.3.1 Switches

CAPGNZ.EXE, CGUTIL.EXE, and CGGRAPH.EXE allow several options to be modified by command line settings and switches. You can alter the CG.BAT start up batch file to execute these programs with one or more switches. If the switch has a value, such as B=NO, don't preface it with the / character. If the switch does not have a value, preface it with /, such as /E.

2.3.1.1 Screen Blanking

These executables have a built in screen blanker. After 10 minutes of inactivity, the monitor is blanked. Hit any key to bring back the previous display. The V switch changes the video timeout value. Thus, to blank the screen only after 30 minutes of inactivity:

        CAPGNZ V=30

To disable screen blanking:

        CAPGNZ V=0

===>>> If you use other screen savers, you should turn off screen blanking.

2.3.1.2 Sound

To disable beeping, commonly used to signal errors, use the B switch:

        CAPGNZ B=NO

2.3.1.3 Enhanced Keyboard

Use the E switch to specify that the system keyboard is an enhanced keyboard:

        CAPGNZ /E

This switch is automatically used in CG.BAT, allowing you to use F11 and F12 when remapping keys.

2.3.1.4 Ignore Warnings

If you don't want to be bothered by warning messages, such as when shares multiplied by price does not equal the purchase amount, use the W switch:

        CAPGNZ W=NO

2.4 Data Files

===>>> Most of the data files have separate index (.K01) and data (.DAT) parts. All of these files are located in the Program Directory. The error, password, and security type files are copied during installation, and all other files are created the first time you run Capital Gainz. The Utility and Graphics Programs require that these files already exist.

2.4.1 Local (Activity) Files

For the local files, the 'nnn' corresponds to the portfolio ID. Thus, the files for Portfolio 1 are LSEC001, OPEN001, CLOSE001, and DISTR001.

2.4.1.1 Local Security File - LSECnnn.DAT, LSECnnn.K01

A local security has open share information associated with it, and is linked to a global security. The global security defines the actual security-specific details, while the local security is an instance of the global security held in a portfolio. The reason for distinguishing between global and local securities is to reduce redundant data. The price history of a security is associated with the global security, and not with each instance of the local security.

===>>> Global and local securities both have symbols associated with them, but the symbols can be the same. The global security symbol must be unique over all global securities, but the local security symbol must only be unique within a given portfolio. If you have two portfolios that both contain IBM stock, you can set the global symbol and both local symbols to IBM. On the other hand, you may have one portfolio that holds IBM stock both within and outside an IRA plan. In this case, you can define the global symbol as IBM, and link two local security symbols, say IBMT (IBM taxable) and IBMTF (IBM tax-free) to it.

Local security information is shown in the Local Security Table, and inserted or changed with the Local Security Form. When you edit a local security with the Local Security Form, the associated global security's information is also displayed. The Local Security File includes:

Local Symbol: a 1-5 character id, unique within a portfolio. This can be the same or different from the global symbol.
Global Symbol: a 1-5 character id, unique over all portfolios. This can be the stock symbol used in the newspaper listings, or any other representative string. The local security is linked to this global security; the global security contains the security name and price history.
Broker/Investment Company: the name of the broker or investment company associated with the local security. This can be the same or different from the broker/investment company in the associated global security.
Account Number: the brokerage account number, mutual fund account number, or company dividend reinvestment plan number. This can be the same or different from the account number in the associated global security.
Tax Exempt Flag: this flag tells whether or not this local security is held in a tax-exempt retirement program. Local securities with this flag set are skipped when you generate the tax forms.
Sell Method: the most recent selling method used with this security is saved and used as the default the next time you sell shares.
Open Shares Information: the number of open shares, the open amount, and the open commission are maintained for two reasons. First, it allows this information to be displayed quickly on the Local Security Table without totalling the values of all open shares records. Second, it is necessary for a security that employs an averaging selling method, since maintaining average share price information in each open shares record would cause many write operations every time you buy or sell shares.
Precision: the price and share precision for this local security. You can specify between 2 and 4 decimal places.

2.4.1.2 Open Shares File - OPENnnn.DAT, OPENnnn.K01

Every time you record a purchase, an open shares record is created. Open shares records are associated with a local security, which is in turn associated with a global security. You can record multiple purchases with the same date. When you record a purchase, the date and price information are automatically used to update the Price History File. Open share summary information is maintained within the Local Security File, for the reasons mentioned above.

You add share purchases by using the Activity option of the Main Menu to get to the Buy Shares Form. Open shares records can be added, changed, or deleted by going through the Log Maintenance option of the Main Menu to get to the Buy Shares Form. Even when using an averaging method, the original purchase price is used when you change or delete open shares records. Buying shares creates an open shares record with:

Local Symbol: the purchased local security's symbol.
Date: the date the shares were purchased.
Shares: the number of shares purchased.
Price: the purchase price of the shares. Even when using an averaging method, the price in the open shares record is the actual purchase price.
Amount: the purchase amount, not including any commission or load.
Commission: the commission or load charged on this purchase.
Notes: any comment you wish to record with this purchase.

2.4.1.3 Closed Shares File - CLOSEnnn.DAT, CLOSEnnn.K01

Every time you record a sale, one or more closed shares records are created. Each open shares record affected by the sale results in a closed shares record. If you sold all the shares in an open shares record, then the open shares record is deleted. If you only sold some of the shares, then the open shares record is modified to reflect the number of shares remaining after the sale. With this approach, you can 'unsell' shares: when deleting a closed shares record, you can elect to unsell it, meaning that the original open shares record is recreated.

Closed shares records are associated with a local security, which is in turn associated with a global security. When you record a sale, the date and price information are automatically used to update the Price History File. Open share summary information maintained within the Local Security File is updated based on the selling information.

You sell shares by using the Activity option of the Main Menu to get to the Sell Shares Form. Closed shares records can be added, changed, or deleted by going through the Log Maintenance option of the Main Menu to get to the Sell Shares Form. Even when using an averaging method, the original purchase price is used when you 'unsell' a closed shares record. Selling shares creates one or more closed shares record with:

Local Symbol: the sold local security's symbol.
Date: the date the shares were sold.
Status Flag: this is set to Short Term, Long Term, Return of Principal, or Short Sale.
Shares: the number of shares sold.
Price: the selling price of the shares.
Amount: the amount received for selling the shares, before subtracting any commission or load.
Commission: the commission or load charged on this sale.
Notes: any comment you wish to record with this sale.
Open Share Information: the purchase date, purchase price, purchase amount, purchase commission, and basis of the associated open shares. By maintaining this information, Capital Gainz can 'unsell', or recreate, open shares records when you delete closed shares records. The purchase amount and basis will be the same unless you used an averaging sell method.

2.4.1.4 Distributions File - DISTRnnn.DAT, DISTRnnn.K01

Every time you record a distribution, a distribution record is created. Distribution records are associated with a local security, which is in turn associated with a global security. You can record multiple distributions with the same date. When you record a distribution, the date and per share information are automatically used to update the Price History File. Distributions include dividends, interest, short term capital gains, long term capital gains, and miscellaneous fees.

You add distributions by using the Activity option of the Main Menu to get to the Distribution Form. Distribution records can be added, changed, or deleted by going through the Log Maintenance option of the Main Menu to get to the Distribution Form. Recording a distribution creates a distribution record with:

Local Symbol: the local security's symbol.
Date: the date of the distribution.
Type: the type of distribution - dividends/interest, long term capital gain, short term capital gain, or fee.
Amount: the amount of the distribution.
Amount Per Share: the per share amount of the distribution. This value is important in calculating accurate yield and total return figures.
Notes: any comment you wish to record with this distribution.

2.4.2 Global Files
2.4.2.1 Portfolio File - PORT.DAT, PORT.K01

A portfolio separates holdings, and has zero or more local securities. The Portfolio File contains information about each defined portfolio. When using Capital Gainz, forms and reports that are portfolio specific always show the associated portfolio's name, if you defined more than one portfolio. Local security maintenance and buy, sell, and distribution activity always apply to the current portfolio, which is the last portfolio opened.

Portfolio information is shown in the Portfolio Table, available from the Main Menu, and inserted or changed with the Portfolio Form. Also, you set the current portfolio from the Portfolio Table. The Portfolio File includes:

ID: a value between 1 and 999 that uniquely identifies the portfolio. This number is used as the last 3 characters of the file names of the associated Local Security, Open Shares, Closed Shares, and Distribution Files.
Name: a descriptive name. This name is displayed on activity forms, tables, and reports that reference this portfolio.
Description: up to three lines of descriptive text.

2.4.2.2 Global Security File - GSEC.DAT, GSEC.K01

A global security defines a particular stock, bond, or mutual fund. Local securities are linked to global securities, and have actual associated activity. The price history of a security is associated with the global security. Thus, whenever you update prices, you are directly updating the prices of the global security, and indirectly updating the prices of the local security.

Global security information is shown in the Global Security Table, available from the Main Menu, and inserted or changed with the Global Security Form. The Global Security File includes:

Global Symbol: a 1-5 character id, unique over all portfolios. This is the stock symbol used in the newspaper listings, or any other representative string.
Name: a full, descriptive name for the security.
Broker/Investment Company: the name of the broker or investment company associated with the global security.
Account Number: the brokerage account number, mutual fund account number, or company dividend reinvestment plan number.
Type: the security type. This defines the security's class when determining portfolio allocation ratios, and also determines the security's tax treatment.
Interest Flag: if true, then holders of this security receive interest instead of dividends.
Dividends Per Year: the number of dividend payouts per year. For instance, if the company pays dividends annually, enter 1. If the company pays dividends monthly, enter 12.

2.4.2.3 Security Type File - SECTYP.DAT, SECTYP.K01

Security type information lets you define common attributes for some set of global securities. These attributes mainly target the treatment of distributions and sales in the generated tax forms. Security types are grouped into classes for the portfolio allocation report. The Security Type File copied at installation will handle most users' needs. Global securities are assigned security types through the Type field on the Global Security Form.

Security type information is shown in the Security Type Table, available from the Main Menu, and inserted or changed with the Security Type Form. The Security Type File includes:

Type Code: any 1-4 character code, usually having some pneumonic link to the security type. This code must be unique over all security types.
Class: the security type's class.
Description: descriptive text.
Dividends/Interest: tells whether a security of this type pays dividends or interest.
Taxable: tells whether dividend or interest distributions by a security of this type are taxable on Schedule B.
Long Term Capital Gains: tells where long term capital gains distributions by a security of this type are reported on the tax forms.
Short Term Capital Gains: tells where short term capital gains distributions by a security of this type are reported on the tax forms.
Group Sales: tells whether to group sales of a security or list them individually on Schedule D.
Return of Principal: tells where return of principal distributions by a security of this type are reported on the tax forms.

2.4.2.4 Price History File - PRC_HST.DAT, PRC_HST.K01

Price History information includes prices, distributions, and stock splits. You can display it in a table from the Local or Global Security Table, and insert or change it with the Price Form. While price history information is really associated with a global security, it can be accessed via the local security through its global security link. Buying shares, selling shares, recording distributions, and executing splits create price history records. Each price history type/date is unique, so buying shares, selling shares, or recording distributions may replace existing price history records.

Activity logs contain price/dates and distribution/dates, so there is no danger of losing activity information by changing the Price History File. The Price History File is just a tool to use for security analysis, and the Capital Gainz Utility Program can reconstruct it from the activity logs. The Price History File includes:

Global Symbol: the global security's symbol.
Date: the date associated with the price history entry.
Type: the type of price history entry: price, dividend/interest, long term capital gain, short term capital gain, or stock split.
Price: the value associated with the price history entry - a price, per share value, or split ratio.

2.4.2.5 Broker/Investment Company File - BROKER.DAT, BROKER.K01

===>>> Broker/investment company information lets you keep names, addresses, and phone numbers of brokers and mutual fund companies used to buy and sell shares in your portfolios. Broker/investment companies and account numbers occur in both local and global security records. You probably want to associate a mutual fund company with the mutual fund in the global security record, but specify the account number in each local security record. On the other hand, you probably want to associate some default or 'dummy' broker with a stock in the global security, and define the actual broker holding the shares in the local security. This approach was taken to give you maximum flexibility.

Broker/Investment Company information is shown in the Broker/Investment Company Table, available from the Main Menu, and inserted or changed with the Broker/Investment Company Form. The Broker/Investment Company File includes:

Name: the name of the broker/investment company.
Address: the address of the broker/investment company.
City: the city where the broker/investment company is located.
State: the state code of the broker/investment company.
Zip: the zip code of the broker/investment company.
Phone: the phone number of the broker/investment company.

2.4.2.6 User Settings File - SETTINGS.DAT

User settings allow you to maintain dynamic global information and to customize Capital Gainz. The User Settings File contains two records. The fields in the first record are set with the User Settings Form:

ID: this is set to SETTINGS.
Revision: the current Capital Gainz revision number.
Holding Period: the number of days that shares must be held to be classified as long term. This value is used to determine whether the gain/loss from a sale is classified as long term or short term, and for classifying long term/short term values in displays and reports.
Confirm Add/Update/Delete: if YES, you are prompted for confirmation before a new record is written or deleted. Actions that add, change, or delete multiple records will always prompt for confirmation.
Reinvest Distributions: if YES, you are prompted for reinvestment information after recording a distribution.
Append Reports: if YES, specifying a DOS file when printing a report will append the report to the file. Otherwise, the report will overwrite the original file without warning.
Backup Command: the DOS command string executed when you select the Backup key from the Main Menu.
Lines Per Page: the number of report lines to print on a single page. This depends on your printer. Setting this to 0 is a paper saver, as reports are printed with no page breaks and only the initial page header.
Line Draw Chars: if YES, then the extended ASCII line drawing characters are used in reports. If your printer does not support these characters, enter NO to use the substitute characters '-' and '='.
Colors: the colors for each grouped set of screens.
View File Command: the command invoked to view a file or report on the screen. If left blank, then the internal file viewer is used.
Commission in Basis: if YES, then the buy and sell commissions are factored into the basis for gain/loss percentages. This results in slightly lower absolute gain/loss percentages then if they were not included in the basis. By default, Capital Gainz does not include commissions in the basis, since the amount paid was never actually used to buy shares.
Portfolio ID: the current portfolio's ID. This value is set whenever you open a portfolio. When you start up Capital Gainz, this portfolio is opened initially.
Accept Key/Reject Key: the internal key code for the Form Accept/Form Reject short cut keys.
Price File: the comma-delimited ASCII price file used to update the price history file every time you start up Capital Gainz.
Short Sales: if YES, then whenever you record a share purchase, the Closed Shares File is searched for outstanding short sales. This value is automatically set to YES if you execute a short sale.
Redistribute Proceeds: if YES, then whenever you record a sale, you are asked if you want to redistribute the proceeds by purchasing shares of another security.
Strip CRs: if YES, then terminating carriage returns are stripped before a report is printed.
Brief Formats: if YES, then the brief format is used for reports that have both brief and long formats.
Show Subtotals: if YES, then subtotals are calculated and shown for reports that support subtotals.

The fields in the second record apply only to the Graphics Program, and are set from the Graphics Program:

Adapter: the type of monitor you are using.
Label Colors: the color of graph labels.
Axis Color: the color of graphics grids.
Fill Type: the fill pattern for graphics.
Append Report: whether to append or overwrite when printing to a file. This is separate from the value used by Capital Gainz.
Printer Type: the type of printer for graphics output.
Printer Model: the manufacturer and model for dot matrix printers.
Price Chart Parameters: the colors of the price, best-fit, average, and standard deviation lines; whether or not to use icons at price points.
Total Return Chart Parameters: price fill color and distribution fill color.
Portfolio Allocation Chart Parameters: the maximum number of pie chart 'slices' for the portfolio allocation charts.
Security Performance Chart Parameters: value bar color, cost bar color, and whether or not to include cash equivalent security types.
Performance Chart Parameters: begin, end, buy, sell, distribution, and gain/loss pie slice colors.
Printer Parameters: reset before print, formfeed after print, aspect ratio, page orientation, black/white reversal, horizontal and vertical offsets, density, and printer codes.

2.4.2.7 Password File - PASSWD.DAT, PASSWD.K01

The Password File contains your system password. The data is encrypted to prevent someone from dumping its contents to discover your password. This file is copied during installation, and initially contains a blank password. You can change it from the Main Menu. To keep your data private, you must set a password then secure the installation disks.

Password: a 1-8 character password, case-sensitive with embedded blanks allowed. A blank password is treated as no password.

2.4.2.8 Error Message File - ERROR.DAT

The error message and help index file. This is an ASCII file, and the format is described within the file itself. Using a text editor, you can change the error messages and help indexes if you want, but don't change the error numbers.

2.4.2.9 Printer File - MPCONFIG.DAT

The printer file contains the default graphics configurations for a number of different dot matrix printers. If you print graphics to a dot matrix printer, you'll need to select a printer in the Graphics Program. You can change the default configuration if necessary.

2.4.3 Field Limits

The following limits apply to any one record. The sum of multiple records may exceed these values. If you see all asterisks or all nines displayed in a form or a report, then the totals are too big to fit in the report field.

Open Shares: 0 - +999,999.9999 (per record)
Open, Closed Amount: 0 - +999,999.99 (per record)
Open, Closed Price: 0 - +9,999.9999
Open, Closed Commission: 0 - +9,999.99 (per record)
Distribution Per Share: 0 - +9,999.9999 (per record)
Local Security Total Open Shares: 0 - +99,999,999.9999
Local Security Total Open Amount: 0 - +99,999,999.99
Local Security Total Open Commission: -999,999.99 - +999,999.99
Percentages: -999.99% - +999.99%

2.5 Temporary Files

If you want to change the Temporary Directory, you must edit CAPGNZ.INF and CG.BAT. On startup, CG.BAT deletes files with the .TMP extension in this directory. Capital Gainz creates the following temporary files in the Temporary Directory:

$*.TMP: this file (the '*' is a DOS wildcard) is created when you shell to DOS, and contains the Capital Gainz program image to restore when you enter EXIT on the DOS command line.
CAPGNZSH.BAT: this is a temporary file used when you shell to DOS.
CGPRT.TMP: this is a temporary file used for appending reports.
CGSCR.TMP: this is a temporary file used for viewing reports.
CLARION.DMP: dump file with information about abnormal terminations.

2.6 Documentation Files

The following files are installed in the Documentation Directory:

CGnn.DOC: The 'nth' chapter of the online users manual. There are no illustrations in the online version. If you want to use online help or view the manual online, you need to install it.
HISTORY.DOC: This file contains a list of fixes, modifications, and changes to Capital Gainz, broken down by version number.
LICENSE.DOC: This is the Capital Gainz license statement. It specifies what you are legally entitled to do with Capital Gainz. It also specifies what rights and benefits you receive with registration.

The following file is installed in the Program Directory:

README.DOC: This file contains quick help on getting started and new information not in the users manual.

2.7 Reports

All reports are available from the Report Menu, except the Open Information for Shares Sold Report, which is only available after selling shares. As indicated, reports may also be available from certain tables. Reports use the following user settings: Append Report, Lines Per Page, Line Draw Chars, Strip CRs, Brief Formats, Show Subtotals. You can change these values prior to printing.

The only reports that include open information for shares that have been subsequently sold are the Activity Summary Report and the Mixed Detail Report. For reports such as the Open Shares Detail Report, shares that have been sold are not included, regardless of the specified date range.

All reports are sent to the screen first. From there, you can choose to direct them to the printer or a file.

These reports are for all portfolios:

Portfolio Summary Report: shows the current open value and gain/loss for each portfolio. This report is also available from the Portfolio Table.
Broker/Investment Company Report: shows information for all brokers/investment companies. This report is also available from the Broker/Investment Company Table. You can choose to total commissions and fees over a specified period (Show Subtotals=YES).
Global Security Report: shows all global securities, including current price and yield. This report is also available from the Global Security Table. You can choose to show local securities linked to the global security (Brief Formats=NO).
User Settings Report: shows the current user settings. This report is also available from the User Settings Form.
Security Type Report: shows the current security type definitions. This report is also available from the Security Type table.
Total Return Report: shows the total return for all global securities over a specified period. This report is also available from the Global Security Table.

These reports can be generated for the current portfolio or for all portfolios:

Portfolio Detail Report: shows current open values for each local security in the portfolio. You can generate subtotals based on the broker/investment company (Show Subtotals=YES), and choose either a brief or long format (Brief Formats). This report is also available from the Portfolio Table and Local Security Table.
Portfolio Allocation Report: shows allocation percentages by security class, security type, and security. This report is also available from the Local Security Table and Portfolio Table.
Schedule B Report, Schedule D-1 Report, Fee Report: shows Schedule B and Schedule D-1. Presents dividend, distribution, and selling information in a format easily transferrable to your tax form. Prior to printing the report, you can specify the year, whether to round to dollars, whether to group sales, and whether to create a TurboTax import file. This report is also available from the Portfolio Table. Two additional reports are also generated. The Fee Report summarizes fees paid for the year, and the Wash Sales Report lists potential wash sales.

These reports are for the current portfolio only, and you can restrict output to one or more securities and by a range of dates:

Activity Summary Report: shows the cumulative and short term open, closed, and distribution values along with gain/loss for the specified period. Also shows the security's total return over the period, and combines purchases, sales, and distributions to present your performance over the period. You can choose to print the brief or long format (Brief Formats). This report is also available from the Local Security Table.
Activity Detail Report: shows individual transactions from the activity logs, and a total for the specified period. All logs, a single log, or a chronological list of all activity can be printed. You can choose the brief or long format (Brief Formats). The Open Shares Detail Report is also available from the Open Shares Log. The Closed Shares Detail Report is also available from the Closed Shares Log. The Distribution Detail Report is also available from the Distribution Log. The Mixed Detail Report is also available from the Local Security Table.
Price History Report: shows price history, distributions, and stock splits for a global security. High and low prices are flagged. This report is also available from the Price History Table, via the Local Security Table or the Global Security Table.

Finally, this report is only available after you sell shares:

Open Information for Shares Sold Report: after completing the Sell Shares Form, you can view or print out information resulting from the sale without actually committing the sale. You can include the broker/investment companies name and address, along with selling instructions (Brief Formats=NO).

All reports end with a formfeed. Make sure you line up your paper before printing, as Capital Gainz does not output an initial formfeed.

2.8 Multiple Form Activity

Some activities in Capital Gainz require two different activity forms:

Reinvest Distributions - after recording a distribution in the Record Distribution Form, the Buy Shares Form is presented to record the reinvestment.
Redistribute Proceeds - after recording a sale in the Sell Shares Form, the Buy Shares Form is presented to record the redistribution of the sale proceeds.
Cover Fee - after recording a fee in the Record Distribution Form, the Sell Shares Form is presented to record the sale to cover the fee.

After entry, the two activities are not linked in anyway. For instance, open shares records created by reinvesting distributions are not linked to the distribution record. Thus, to change the distribution per share, you only have to change the distribution record, and to change the number of shares purchased you only have to change the open shares record. But, to change the date you must change both the open shares record and the distribution record.

If you don't want the additional activity, answer NO when asked if you want to reinvest, redistribute, or cover. Or, you can simply Esc out of the second form. In both cases, the initial activity is recorded, but the additional activity is skipped. If you want to record the additional activity at a later time, record it normally. For instance, if you record a dividend but forget to record the reinvestment, you can add the reinvestment as a separate purchase at any time.

2.9 "Why Doesn't Capital Gainz..."

===>>> Users frequently ask why Capital Gainz doesn't do certain things automatically, like changing recorded purchases when the price history is changed. Well, the applicability of these requests vary. If you think Capital Gainz should do something, but this action is not always required, then it's simply not done. In the price example, propagating a change in the price history to the Open Shares File is not always desired. What if a stock was purchased at the beginning of the day, then you updated the price at the end of the day? If so, then applying the change to the purchase would render the purchase incorrect. Even worse, what if the amount were re-adjusted based on this price?

The bottom line is that Capital Gainz is not an expert system. It can't anticipate what you want it to do, and it can't learn what to do. Stated in black-and-white, this is all rather obvious. But, assuming too much from a program can cause a lot of problems down the road. Any program touting this sort of expert knowledge should be treated with skepticism.

Thus, Capital Gainz only does what's absolutely necessary when you add, change, or delete data. If you expect Capital Gainz to do something, check the manual. If it's not mentioned, then chances are you are assuming too much. Many of these types of problems can be avoided by carefully reading Chapter 5, Questions and Answers.