AHKTalk: program path, standard Out, multi dimensional array, Excel
Channel: AUTOHOTKEY Gurus
Date: 2022-03-14

In this session Isaias Baez, Denilson Padiha  and I cover many topics like program paths, Standard out, Multidimensional arrays (looping over a list), and Excel


TLDR: The video provides tips and tricks for programming, including using Excel functions, managing variables and paths, connecting to running programs, and utilizing abstract and multi-dimensional thinking for problem-solving.

1. 00:00 🎥 Learn how to use ffmpeg, install files, and create multi-dimensional loops in Excel without com, with a helpful function to retrieve the correct ffmpeg path.
 1.1 The video covers topics such as ffmpeg, file installation, and multi-dimensional loops in Excel without using com.
 1.2 To avoid confusion with multiple versions of ffmpeg, a function was created to easily retrieve the path to the specific program needed.

2. 02:34 📝 Static vs global variables, managing "path" in Windows, and solutions for referencing specific locations in scripts; Tidbit working on progress bar for ffmpeg and speaker removes standard out from list of ways to connect to programs.
 2.1 Static variables are loaded once and kept in memory, while global variables can be modified by any other process in the script.
 2.2 The global variable "path" in Windows allows for easy access to scripts without specifying their location, but it can become cluttered and editing it can affect others' environments.
 2.3 Two possible solutions for referencing a specific location in a script are setting up a variable or creating a personal registry.
 2.4 Tidbit is working on a progress bar for ffmpeg and can read the output from the command prompt.
 2.5 The speaker removed standard out from the list of 18 ways to connect to programs because they couldn't see how it would be used.

3. 08:17 💻 Use standard output to grab program feedback and connect to running programs, like ffmpeg, to get hidden information and updates.
 3.1 Old programs like ffmpeg and ImageMagick write to standard output, which can be used to grab their output without dealing with it, and knowing the total frames can help create a progress bar.
 3.2 The standard output allows you to connect to a running program and get feedback from it, which can provide hidden information and updates.
 3.3 The standard out and standard error are common files that any program can write into, and the command prompt displays the standard out, while any program can access the standard output and standard error.
 3.4 Create a pipe to connect to the standard output and standard error to output errors in your program.
 3.5 FFmpeg writes to standard output, and the tidbits program connects to it to grab the output and check its status.

4. 14:16 🤔 Programmers struggle to explain their work due to their unique thought process, but verbalizing and staying calm can help improve their abilities.
 4.1 The speaker is struggling with a simple script and cannot explain why.
 4.2 Programmers have a hard time explaining their work because their brains work differently when they talk, so it's important to verbalize and say it out loud to understand it better.
 4.3 The speaker struggled with inputting letters in Excel due to a lack of understanding of the logic and the need for a solution.
 4.4 To properly write on a grid, two loops are needed, one for the columns and one for the rows, instead of just one loop.
 4.5 The speaker used Excel to demonstrate a logic question to improve their programming ability.
 4.6 Being calm and focused is key to improving oneself, as demonstrated by the speaker's personal experience.

5. 21:23 📊 Use Excel functions to open, work with, and save files, retrieve values from cells, and create new files, and consider using Calm to improve your work.
 5.1 The speaker discusses using functions in Excel and mentions the ability to open, work with, and save files, as well as retrieve values from cells and create new files.
 5.2 Use formatting and borrow from the library to tweak it, and consider using Calm, as it is an easy way to improve your work.
 5.3 The speaker explains a process of putting two letters on each step and assigning a sequence of numbers to them.
 5.4 Increment the index by one every time the two numbers are hit, while keeping two separate counts.
 5.5 The speaker explains how to use the a index to refer to specific columns in a table.
 5.6 The speaker discusses the need for two loops to validate columns and increment counters in a specific way.

6. 29:53 💻 Use the set key delay function to send letters at a specific interval in a script and consider using a multi-dimensional array or object to structure and dump information from an 

7. 42:52 💻 Use Excel handle function and autohotkey code to quickly set values in Excel without sending keystrokes.
 7.1 Chat messages can be used to share instructions for dancing during a Zoom call.

8. 49:44 💻 Use abstract and multi-dimensional thinking in programming for efficiency, and remember that there are multiple approaches to problem-solving