User`s guide

E-Prime User’s Guide
Table of Contents
Page iii
3.2 Introduction to Timing Issues__________________________________________________ 72
3.2.1 Problem 1: Computer operating systems can falsely report timing data_______________ 75
3.2.2 Problem 2: Actual durations can deviate from intended durations ___________________ 76
3.2.3 Problem 3: Displays are accomplished via refresh cycles__________________________ 79
3.2.4 Problem 4: Accurately measuring and reporting timing, then debugging an experiment__ 83
3.3 Achieving Accurate Timing in E-Prime__________________________________________ 84
3.3.1 Basic timing techniques and implementations in E-Prime__________________________ 84
3.4 Implementing Time Critical Experiments in E-Prime ______________________________ 96
3.4.1 Step 1. Test and tune the experimental computer for research timing _________________ 97
3.4.2 Step 2. Select and implement a paradigm timing model ___________________________ 97
3.4.3 Step 3. Cache stimulus files being loaded from disk to minimize read times __________ 120
3.4.4 Step 4. Test and check the timing data of the paradigm___________________________ 120
Chapter 4 : Using E-Basic ____________________________________________________________ 123
4.1 Why Use E-Basic? __________________________________________________________ 123
4.1.1 Before Beginning…______________________________________________________ 124
4.1.2 Basic Steps_____________________________________________________________ 126
4.2 Introducing E-Basic_________________________________________________________ 126
4.2.1 Syntax ________________________________________________________________ 127
4.2.2 Getting Help____________________________________________________________ 128
4.2.3 Handling Errors in the Script _______________________________________________ 130
4.3 Communicating with E-Prime Objects _________________________________________ 130
4.3.1 Context________________________________________________________________ 131
4.3.2 Object.Properties ________________________________________________________ 132
4.3.3 Object.Methods _________________________________________________________ 132
4.3.4 Variable Declaration and Initialization _______________________________________ 133
4.3.5 User Script Window vs. InLine Object _______________________________________ 134
4.4 Basic Steps for Writing E-Prime Script_________________________________________ 135
4.4.1 Determine the purpose and placement of the script ______________________________ 135
4.4.2 Create an InLine object and enter the script____________________________________ 135
4.4.3 Determine the scope of variables and attributes_________________________________ 136
4.4.4 Set or reference values in script _____________________________________________ 138
4.4.5 Reference script results from other objects ____________________________________ 139
4.4.6 Debug_________________________________________________________________ 140
4.4.7 Test __________________________________________________________________ 142
4.5 Programming: Basic ________________________________________________________ 142
4.5.1 Logical Operators________________________________________________________ 142
4.5.2 Flow Control ___________________________________________________________ 142
4.5.3 Examples and Exercises___________________________________________________ 148
4.5.4 Additional Information ___________________________________________________ 153
4.6 Programming: Intermediate__________________________________________________ 153
4.6.1 More on Variables _______________________________________________________ 153
4.6.2 Writing Subroutines______________________________________________________ 155
4.6.3 Writing Functions _______________________________________________________ 156
4.6.4 Additional Information ___________________________________________________ 157
4.7 Programming: Advanced ____________________________________________________ 157
4.7.1 Arrays ________________________________________________________________ 157
4.7.2 Timing ________________________________________________________________ 160
4.7.3 User-Defined Data Types__________________________________________________ 160