History

25 year seal

SDIS 1.0 was defined in our 1992 article (Bakeman & Quera, 1992). The first version of GSEQ, incorporating the first SDIS compiler and developed for IBM-compatible computers running the Disk Operating System (DOS), was released in 1995 (Bakeman & Quera, 1995). Initial versions of GSEQ were called SDIS-GSEQ, and ran in DOS. In 1997, we released the first GSEQ for Windows (GSEQ 3.0), followed by an expanded version (GSEQ 4.0) in 2001.

The current version, GSEQ 5, is a new and significantly improved version of GSEQ. The Windows interface has been redesigned. It is now more intuitive and simpler to use than earlier versions. The menu structure in particular has been simplified. Fewer windows are open at a time, typically only one or two. GSEQ 5 has been totally reprogrammed. As a result, there are now no limits on the number of codes, the numbers of factors, the number of factor levels, the number of behavior streams, etc., that existed in earlier versions. It is also faster.

Analyses are indicated largely by point and click (using buttons, check boxes, and lists). This replaces the command language of the earliest DOS version of GSEQ and the command-line generator of later versions. As a result, it is no longer necessary to generate, or keep track of, GSEQ command files.

The format for MDS files produced by the GSEQ 5 compiler differs from the format used in earlier versions. As a result, any SDS files compiled earlier need to be recompiled for use with GSEQ 5.

Versions:

  • 1995-1996: DOS versions 1.1 (English) and 1.2 (Spanish) were published.
  • 1996: DOS version 1.4 (bilingual English/Spanish). It included several enhancements and bug fixes.
  • 1997: DOS version 2.0 (bilingual English/Spanish). It included major changes such as a new data type in the SDIS language (multievent sequences), more features in the data language itself, a new and more efficient binary format for compiled files (MDS 2.0), full integration of program PLOT in the SDIS-GSEQ User Interface, enhanced exportation capabilities, and so on.
  • 1997-2000: Prototype GSW (GSEQ for Windows) versions 3.x. Multilingual (English/Spanish/Italian). It ran in Windows 95 or later. The user interface was, of course, completely new, and included a command composer, MDS file displayer and plotter, and tools for computing observer agreement indexes. SDIS specifications were enhanced.
  • 2001: GSW (GSEQ for Windows) version 4.0 is released. It includes several enhancements in analysis commands, and a new HTML help system.
  • 2002: GSW (GSEQ for Windows) version 4.1 is released. Memory size is increased (bigger lag tables can be requested, more codes can be specified in data modification commands, codes and labels can contain more characters, and so on), and the HTML Help system is updated.
  • 2006: Protection is removed from GSW 4.1.2, so that the Windows version no longer needs a key file from the original DOS program.
  • 2007: New versions GSW 4.1.3, 4.1.4 and 4.2.0, with some bugs fixed.
  • 2008: New version GSW 4.2.0, for Windows Vista and older Windows versions.
  • 2008: Transitional version GSW 4.5.0 to 5.0.
  • 2009: New version GSEQ 5.0, completely reprogrammed for current versions on Windows. It includes new algorithms for observer agreement, and a new Help system. GSEQ 5 uses point-and-click for data modification and analysis, not command files as in earlier versions. It also supports batch processing (command files) for data modification commands.
  • 2011: New version GSEQ 5.1, with a streamlined interface and a new utility for exporting multidimensional lag tables.
  • 2013: Version 5.1.15, with an updated look, minor bug fixes, and some enhancements (e.g., the kappa routine provides code-wise kappas, the window data modification command can accept two codes).
  • 2016: Version 5.1.23, with a new logo and minor bug fixes.
Limitations and Future Plans:
  • Menus and messages in GSEQ 5 are in English. The multilingual feature is no longer supported.
  • The MDS file format for GSEQ 5 differs from earlier versions. Earlier SDS files need to be recompiled for use with version 5.