[APP][UPDATED Oct 9 2008] XChange R8 currency convertor

[pedmond]

Hi guys,

I must admit that I didn’t write software for a few years, and this is my first attempt after a long break – so please be gentle…

Xchange R8 is a simple currency convertor. You can choose 3 currencies to be displayed and for the time being you have two WebServices available: Bank of Romania (for my Romanian friends) and Bank of England (for my other friends). Bank of England currency are accessed via the Export Technologies WebService.

You need of course an Internet connection.

For Bank of Romania you can choose to see the currencies as they were at a certain date. Before you ask, chosing a date in the future will alas not work. The Export Technologies service does not have this function though, and when working with the Bank of England this choice will be unavailable.

The program remembers the last downloaded values for each service.

Please note that the Export Technologies service (for Bank of England) is slow – an update can take up to a minute. There’s nothing I can do about that.

I wrote this program initially for myself, as I often needed to know the currency rates and this is much faster than navigating from the browser. Then I saw somebody on this forum asking about such a program. While I’m sure better solutions can be found, I had a lot of fun writing this. Besides, it’s free!

I’m totally willing to add other WebServices to the list if you can provide me with their address.

Please note that I can only work on this during weekends: I have a company to run and it takes almost all my time.

Another note: .NET 3.5 framework is required.

UPDATE: v 1.1:


Added Bank of Hungary web service
Corrected a bug in the calendar: when first opened it always went to a day in July. Now it defaults to today.

Notes: Bank of Hungary does not update the service daily. Therefore, after you press Download, you may see a different date than today appearing at the top: this is the date of the last update. Furthermore, because of this, when you use the calendar to choose a date, you may get the message "No data available for the chosen date!". Simply choose another date. Hint: they don't update during weekends.

UPDATE 21/08/08 v 1.2


Added Invert function for those who prefer to see the exchange course mirrored. For example, if before you saw 1 GBP = 2 USD, after Invert you'll see 1 USD = 0.5 GBP.
Added calculator. For pic see next post.

UPDATE Oct 9 2008 v 2.0


You can now convert from EUR to USD and actually whatever you want from a list of 150 currencies. Choose Webservicex from Options -> Currencies.
Please note that this service is updating all the time, so values taken at a few minutes apart can vary slightly. This may actually be a good thing if you want to feel the pulse of the market in these stressed times.
One problem with Webservicex (affecting only Romanians as far as I can tell): it only contains the old currency (ROL) and it always returns zero. I don't see this as real trouble, as you can always use the Bank of Romania service.

[pedmond]

Pic for the calculator:

[tampiss]

looking gr8
would you add the CZK (www.cnb.cz) for Czech friends too? :-)

http://www.cnb.cz/cs/financni_trhy/devizovy_trh/kurzy_devizoveho_trhu/denni_kurz.jsp

tampiss

[tnyynt]

Nice business app! Good work!

[buciuman]

Your romanian friends thank you!!

[pedmond]

looking gr8
would you add the CZK (www.cnb.cz (http://www.cnb.cz)) for Czech friends too? :-)

http://www.cnb.cz/cs/financni_trhy/devizovy_trh/kurzy_devizoveho_trhu/denni_kurz.jsp

tampiss

I definitely would. However, I need what is called a WebService, like http://www.exporttechnologies.com/webservices/currencyservice/currencyservice.asmx?WSDL.

That is usually an XML file defining the access to the service. A site simply giving a list of currencies is not a web service.

I looked at the Czech National Bank site (the english version) and could not find any link to a service. Perhaps you can help me there?

[tnyynt]

I definitely would. However, I need what is called a WebService, like http://www.exporttechnologies.com/webservices/currencyservice/currencyservice.asmx?WSDL.

That is usually an XML file defining the access to the service. A site simply giving a list of currencies is not a web service.

I looked at the Czech National Bank site (the english version) and could not find any link to a service. Perhaps you can help me there?

Magyar Nemzeti Bank aka National Bank of Hungary: http://www.mnb.hu/engine.aspx?page=mnbhu_webservice

[pedmond]

Magyar Nemzeti Bank aka National Bank of Hungary: http://www.mnb.hu/engine.aspx?page=mnbhu_webservice

Got it. The description is at http://www.mnb.hu/arfolyamok.asmx?WSDL

I'll implement it as soon as I can. With a little bit of luck I'll have it tomorrow.

UPDATE: Done! Please look at the first post of this thread to download.

[slogg]

Very nice app

Is it also possible to add a swiss and japanese bank?

Thanks from switzerland :-)

[Kafro]

Xe.com is the best currency exchange site.

[tnyynt]

Xe.com is the best currency exchange site.

...but this is not about that, now is it? :rolleyes:

[saintman2]

http://www.cbr.ru/DailyInfoWebServ/DailyInfo.asmx?op=GetCursOnDateXML

Russian CBR. Is it OK? Or you need smth. else?

[solecin]

thanks for the app, is very usefull, can you add El Banco de España: Bank of Spain, please

[saintman2]

Also would be nice to have the following feature:
CUR1/CUR2 (both chosen by user)
i.e. EUR/USD

[krakout]

This is lovely (for some, and for me!), downloading now.

Why not add a mini-calc as well?

[don05]

I definitely would. However, I need what is called a WebService, like http://www.exporttechnologies.com/webservices/currencyservice/currencyservice.asmx?WSDL.

That is usually an XML file defining the access to the service. A site simply giving a list of currencies is not a web service.

I looked at the Czech National Bank site (the english version) and could not find any link to a service. Perhaps you can help me there?

http://www.cnb.cz/en/financial_markets/foreign_exchange_market/exchange_rate_fixing/FORMAT_KURZY_EN.HTM

[pedmond]

http://www.cbr.ru/DailyInfoWebServ/DailyInfo.asmx?op=GetCursOnDateXML

Russian CBR. Is it OK? Or you need smth. else?

This is perfect. I'll add it soon.

[saintman2]

pedmond,
cool, thanx!!!

[pedmond]

http://www.cnb.cz/en/financial_markets/foreign_exchange_market/exchange_rate_fixing/FORMAT_KURZY_EN.HTM

Sorry, unless I'm very wrong this is just a method to set the date (and info) on their site. I can't use this to retrieve the data in the application.

A webservice link always ends with WSDL.

This can tell you if I can use it or not. By the way, WSDL = Web Services Description Language, in case you wondered :)

[don05]

Sorry, unless I'm very wrong this is just a method to set the date (and info) on their site. I can't use this to retrieve the data in the application.

A webservice link always ends with WSDL.

This can tell you if I can use it or not. By the way, WSDL = Web Services Description Language, in case you wondered :)

I now, what is WSDL.
CNB provides only txt or HTML format. You can't use txt format?

Thanx

[krakout]

Oops, just installed, and realised you can only take as base currencies the default ones. This rather sucks.. what about the rest of us who don't live in Romania or the UK and use Euros or USDs in their lives? Why not do a reverse conversion? :(

[pedmond]

Oops, just installed, and realised you can only take as base currencies the default ones. This rather sucks.. what about the rest of us who don't live in Romania or the UK and use Euros or USDs in their lives? Why not do a reverse conversion? :(

You are right, I thought about this too. I will try to add this a feature.

[krakout]

You are right, I thought about this too. I will try to add this a feature.

Thanks, it'll be greatly appreciated :)

[jirka20]

For czech you can use this http://www.csas.cz/csws/changerates/ChangeRates.jws?WSDL

[darthbane2k]

This needs two things to be perfect

1) Data for the USD / American Banks


2) For the calendar function to work with Bank of England also.

Also, if we can find a way to intergrate this as part of touchflo3D that would be perfect!

[pedmond]

For czech you can use this http://www.csas.cz/csws/changerates/ChangeRates.jws?WSDL

Great, I'll add it to the list.

[pedmond]

This needs two things to be perfect

1) Data for the USD / American Banks


2) For the calendar function to work with Bank of England also.

Also, if we can find a way to intergrate this as part of touchflo3D that would be perfect!

I'll look for USA banks. However, there is nothing I can do about the calendar: that service does not provide a date function.

[krakout]

Also, if we can find a way to intergrate this as part of touchflo3D that would be perfect!

Well, yes, like the weather, but nice as TF3D might be it's very inflexible... I don't think we'll live to see it!

[saintman2]

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York:
http://www.newyorkfed.org/markets/pilotfx.html

[pedmond]

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York:
http://www.newyorkfed.org/markets/pilotfx.html

I would, even started to implement it, then I noticed this on their site:

Today the New York Fed announced its decision to discontinue the publication of foreign exchange rates on December 31, 2008, given the availability of alternative market-based sources for these rates.

[saintman2]

Sorry, I didn't notice it.
Here is the European Central Bank:
http://www.ecb.int/stats/exchange/eurofxref/html/index.en.html
don't know if it suits you.

[pedmond]

Please see first post for update log. The new cab is also available there.

In the next version I plan to add Czech and Russian banks.

Waiting for new WSDL links to add even more banks...

[buciuman]

nevermind what i said here

[pedmond]

i think the one on the first post is still the old version.. i cant find the calculator

LOL - you were too fast! Please try again.

Also, during the first 15 min or so there was a bug with the calculator. If in the version you downloaded the title of the calculator screen is FormCalculator please download again. All should be OK now.

[buciuman]

Yeah 1 RON was 3.5 euros. Very optimistic!

It works really nice. Such a simple app yet so usefull.

[pedmond]

Yeah 1 RON was 3.5 euros. Very optimistic!

It works really nice. Such a simple app yet so usefull.

Should be fine now... Was a bit too confident in our government...

[salada2k]

Xe.com is the best currency exchange site.

+1 .

[krakout]

Yes! Inverted conversion! And calculator! Thank you...:)

[pedmond]

Xe.com is the best currency exchange site.

Yes, but (quote from site):


Pricing
Pricing for the Datafeed is based on the frequency of update, and the number of licenses needed. The prices are as follows:
Each computer requires one license per year.
Daily
Hourly

1 Computer (+1 back-up)
US $ 540 / yr (http://www.xe.com/dfs/XE-Datafeed-daily-1computer.pdf)
US $2160 / yr (http://www.xe.com/dfs/XE-Datafeed-hourly-1computer.pdf)

2 Computers (+1 back-up)
US $ 810 / yr (http://www.xe.com/dfs/XE-Datafeed-daily-2computers.pdf)
US $3240 / yr (http://www.xe.com/dfs/XE-Datafeed-hourly-2computers.pdf)

[saintman2]

feature request:
autodownload after activesync connection is established would be fantastic!

[krakout]

feature request:
autodownload after activesync connection is established would be fantastic!

this would require either for the program to be running continuously or a desktop application as well... Is it really worth the trouble?

[saintman2]

this would require either for the program to be running continuously or a desktop application as well... Is it really worth the trouble?
you want to say that QuickGPS runs constantly in background? (it downloads sat data after activesync connection)

[krakout]

Ooh, does it really? Had no idea, Advanced Connectivity does not work with my PC!

Sorry, I take it back then. How does it do it though?

[pedmond]

I guess it activates a service. Not sure if I can do that quickly, but I'll look into it.

[saintman2]

some news?

[KukurikU]

multzumesc domnu' (thank you). this is going to be very handy during my next visit (next week) in yours (and mine) beautiful country:D

[pedmond]

multzumesc domnu' (thank you). this is going to be very handy during my next visit (next week) in yours (and mine) beautiful country:D

Well, you're in my agenda :D, so give a call if you have time.

[techred]

hi,

great tool, but is it possible to add a Bank with EUR as reference currency?
That would be great!

best regards

[pedmond]

hi,

great tool, but is it possible to add a Bank with EUR as reference currency?
That would be great!

best regards

Good point. Up to now I simply used the services provided, which had their one (and only) reference currency.

One of two things can be done: I can simply divide to pick EUR as reference, or I can find another service that already does that.

Now, does anyone know of a WEBSERVICE that has EUR as their default?

[iUser13]

thanks for you app!

maybe this works for EUR?!:

http://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/eurofxref/eurofxref-daily.xml

[pedmond]

thanks for you app!

maybe this works for EUR?!:

http://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/eurofxref/eurofxref-daily.xml

Yes, should work, thank you. It's not a web service, but I guess I should be able to parse an XML file :D

[iUser13]

Great...looking forward for a new "european" version :D

[kwast011]

You are number one!! Please, can you add UAE (Dirham) and Nigerian Neira?
Will not forget to donate!!

[toxoc]

Yea, add swedish and i will donate to! Love this program

[arix]

Nice program,
But Many countries are missing for example (ILS), beside it does't let to change other refernce beside Romenia England and Hungary..

[saintman2]

Please see first post for update log. The new cab is also available there.

In the next version I plan to add Czech and Russian banks.

Waiting for new WSDL links to add even more banks...
Still looking forward to adding Russian Bank (CBR)...

[Youmoussa]

This webservice looks interesting

http://jaadoo.net/articles/2007/11/free-currency-conversion-webservice-in.html

It seems you could make a really generic software.

[pedmond]

This webservice looks interesting

http://jaadoo.net/articles/2007/11/free-currency-conversion-webservice-in.html

It seems you could make a really generic software.

Yes it does. Thank you - I'll try to squeeze it in during the weekend.

[pedmond]

New version 2.0. You can now convert anything to anything from a list of 150 currencies. For download and release notes please view the first post of this thread.

[cehash]

Your romanian friends thank you!!

i second that

[Youmoussa]

New version 2.0. You can now convert anything to anything from a list of 150 currencies. For download and release notes please view the first post of this thread.

Weekends are different in Romania ? ;)

Thx, I will test it.

[pedmond]

Weekends are different in Romania ? ;)

Thx, I will test it.

Well, I kinda couldn't resist doing this :)

[Youmoussa]

It works fine for me. Thanks for your work (otherwise I should have done it myself).

Most of the time I need it to convert easily between euro and dollar. I guess that the choice of displaying 3 currencies is for you. It would be great to choose how many currencies are needed.

[Morden83]

Thanks mate, one of the most useful apps for the Diamond!

Big thanks from Hungary, you've got some admirers here too :cool:

[arix]

Thanks, I'll give it try now !

[slogg]

Hi

If i chosse the Webservicex it does not save the data.
means i can not use the functio chosse date.
(filed is always gray) can not select this option

is this because i use the Webservicex

[pedmond]

Hi

If i chosse the Webservicex it does not save the data.
means i can not use the functio chosse date.
(filed is always gray) can not select this option

is this because i use the Webservicex

Actually the program only saves the latest data. Some webservices allow inputing a date as a parameter, so that's the reason for that function. Unfortunately, Webservicex can only return the latest value.

I will consider actually saving data and even making a graph in a future version, but I can't really say when that will be as I'm pretty busy at work right now.

[nolannolan]

Hi Pedmon

thanks for a great great application as Xchange R8 (im using version 2) ;-) I have searched long time to find such elegant a tool as yours - much appreciated.

My question: I use source webservicex: often get the error "connection error" but it appears that is works if i first choose eg romanian site as source and then switch back to webservicex as source

can something be done about that ?

Further i think there is a bug in calculator; if delete arrow is used in an empty field - the application crashes

could european central bank be added as source ?

regards Nolan

[pedmond]

Hi Pedmon

thanks for a great great application as Xchange R8 (im using version 2) ;-) I have searched long time to find such elegant a tool as yours - much appreciated.

My question: I use source webservicex: often get the error "connection error" but it appears that is works if i first choose eg romanian site as source and then switch back to webservicex as source

can something be done about that ?

Further i think there is a bug in calculator; if delete arrow is used in an empty field - the application crashes

could european central bank be added as source ?

regards Nolan

It looks to me that webservicex is not up all the time, but I'll check.

I conform the arrow bug, I'll probably deal with it soon.

About the CEB - I'm quite busy lately, but I will do it if the provide a web service. This will integrate easier with my app.

And thank you for the kind words :)

[BertiS]

As a Romanian friend, I wish to thank you for this great app! Keep up the good work!

And as a suggestion, I know there is not enough space on that small screen, but maybe you can free up some space in the calculator interface and squeeze in a field for VAT. (X euros * ex.rate * 1,19)

[abb1]

Very nice, but it does not seem to work for us canadian folks. When trying to download, I get connection errors

[Shehzada]

The application is awesome. Works as stated and I was able to convert from PKR to USD w/o issue.

Now if there was only a way to manually enter an xchange rate just in case the servers are not available. :)

[D0MZE]

very nice app mate, extremely useful

Edit:
Found an error handling bug in your app, that is that you could implement it.

When i go in the calculator and i havent done nothing and press the <- twice, the application crashes
Edit2: Read through the posts and saw that someone had already found it!

Also would be nice to Have a conversion FROM the sub currencies to the reference one
I.E USD TO CAD, where CAD is my reference :)

[swordfish2]

pedmond, this is the most useful app on my HTC touch pro now.

I really really appreciate your efforts.

The "inverse" feature is brilliant man. Very impressive and useful app. I like the theme of teh app too. looks pro and neat.

[pedmond]

pedmond, this is the most useful app on my HTC touch pro now.

I really really appreciate your efforts.

The "inverse" feature is brilliant man. Very impressive and useful app. I like the theme of teh app too. looks pro and neat.

Thank you :)

[techmage]

Nice application. It`s works perfect on my HTC Touch Pro. Is there any possibility to add more banks in europe? I found original Polish National Bank each day in XML format but the link change each work day ( y-m-d format ). Could you add it?

[band27]

Didn't notice this in the thread but, can the bank of Canada be added?

[marius81]

mersi mult pentru aplicatia asta! chiar cautam asa ceva de un timp...
si pot sa-ti spun ca ti-ai mai facut un prieten in Romania.

[peta§]

Hi! since the 2nd feb I can't update througt webservicex. The other two does work. Just me or do anyone else have this problem.
BTW, very nice and simple att, when the update works.

[waverdr]

Hi! since the 2nd feb I can't update througt webservicex. The other two does work. Just me or do anyone else have this problem.
BTW, very nice and simple att, when the update works.

I cant update via webservicex either.
Any chance of adding an aussie bank any one will do im not fussy :D This proggy is totally awesome as I have a few banks offshore with varying currencies and usually convert to aussie dollars so find this app indespensable.
Cheers from down under for a fantastic app.

[ashran22]

Nothing happens when i try to install the cab file on HTC HD.
why?

[not4you]

Your romanian friends thank you!!

si eu, si eu

[waverdr]

This was a great App that has since gone to the dogs.
No updates for a fair while now and webservicex constantly crashes or fails to update. A great idea and one of the best looking programs out their but unfortunately with no recent updates this is now a totally useless program for me.
Any one have any good ideas on other apps that are similar as i need a currency converter for my frequent traveling.

[pedmond]

Sorry about the long delay - been very busy at work, then my hard disk crashed on me and I'm still recovering files.

I'll try soon to see what went south with webservicex - I assume they either don't work any longer, or they changed something in their service.

Thank you all for your kind words and your patience.

[EDIT] I just managed to use Webservicex a minute ago. It seems the service may not always be up and running. Could you guys please confirm this?

[peta§]

I'äm also a great fan of this nice app. Trying to update every day, but succeeds about once in a week.
Hope you find a solution, I really like this app.

[pedmond]

It looks as if Webservicex is not stable then.

I'll try to find an additional, more stable service. Please feel free to suggest one, if you happen to know it - as long as it's SOAP based.

[sackbauer]

unfortunately don't know any other than oanda.com which may not work with your software ...

however, i need this app desperatly for switching between jpy, eur und usd ! ;-)

great app man !

cheers

[pedmond]

unfortunately don't know any other than oanda.com which may not work with your software ...

however, i need this app desperatly for switching between jpy, eur und usd ! ;-)

great app man !

cheers

True, I did a long search today as well and it turns out most of the exchange currency web services are not free.

I'll look into oanda and see if I can do anything. Actually, if it's SOAP and free, I can probably implement it.

[sackbauer]

i keep my fingers crossed that you can get this fixed ....
cheers

[sackbauer]

quick question beside this :

would it be possible to have the calculator as a seperate application ( but retrieve the data from the main application or database ) ?

i often need the calculator and need to start the application first and then walk through the menu to the calculator. no big deal - would just be nice to open it with a single click ;-)

cheers

[sackbauer]

pedmond, you mentioned to be busy with other things ...
just a quick question if you had a chance to find another provider for data and if you could please extract xchange calc from the application .
thanks and have a great day !

[dannyng]

New version 2.0. You can now convert anything to anything from a list of 150 currencies. For download and release notes please view the first post of this thread.

Hi pedmont,

I just found this and boy, this is one of the indispensable app for traveller.

But when I try to download, it have an error message "Unable to read data from the transport connection"

Currently I'm using HTC HD, is it not compatible with my PDA?


Thanks in advance.

Cheers..

[namhtc]

i often need the calculator and need to start the application first and then walk through the menu to the calculator. would just be nice to open it with a single click ;-)

+1 for this request.

BTW everything works fine with WebserviceX for me.

[Kl@r@_Korn]

is there a chance to get this very nice app on win 6.5?