33 — Habit tracker: a mark for each day

A habit tracker is one answer per date, which makes it a record whose names are dates. And the dates are not typed by hand — the computer is asked for them.

#Steps

1. Open the date tools and work out today, yesterday and the day before. ago goes backwards and from now goes on:

   use date latest
   set stamp to today
   set before to yesterday
   set earlier to 2 days ago
   show stamp
   show before
   show earlier
   

   copyrun it →

2. Use the date as the name the answer goes under:

   use date latest
   set log to an empty record
   set stamp to today
   put stamp at yes in log
   show stamp in log
   

   copyrun it →

   You get yes. A name in the name position means the date inside it becomes the name.

3. Today's answer is asked for:

   use date latest
   set log to an empty record
   set stamp to today
   ask reply did you do it today
   put stamp at reply in log
   show how many log
   

   copyrun it →

4. Counting the days is a walk with a comparison. Take the value out and compare it:

   set log to an empty record
   put Monday at yes in log
   put Tuesday at no in log
   set done to 0
   for each day in log
       set mark to day in log
       if mark equals yes
           add 1 to done
       end
   end
   show done
   

   copyrun it →

   You get 1.

5. The whole thing:

   use date latest
   set log to an empty record
   set stamp to today
   set before to yesterday
   set earlier to 2 days ago
   put earlier at yes in log
   put before at no in log
   ask reply did you do it today
   put stamp at reply in log
   for each day in log
       show day
       show day in log
   end
   set done to 0
   for each day in log
       set mark to day in log
       if mark equals yes
           add 1 to done
       end
   end
   show done
   

   copyrun it →

#Try it yourself

Count the run of days in a row — walk backwards from today and break at the first day that is not yes. Then keep it in a file the way guide 36 does, so the record survives closing the program.

#What you learned

• One answer per date is a record whose names are dates.
• yesterday and 2 days ago are the sentence way to step back; 3 days from now steps on. Only after use date latest, because that is what makes them mean a date.
• A name in the name position puts the value inside it there instead.
• Counting is walking, taking the value out, comparing, and adding one.