Re: [Rails-devel] 1835 share selling

[brett l. <bre...@gm...>]

On Fri, Mar 5, 2010 at 1:17 PM, Erik Vos <eri...@xs...> wrote:
>
> Stefan also sent the following bug report to me on 1835:
>
> <quote>
> For each selling transaction the price drops by one row
> <snip/>
> (1) BUG: Only after the first transaction the price drops (sr3)
> (2) BUG: All shares are sold for the price at the beginning or par (sr3)
>
> In each selling transaction any number of shares of one company can be sold
> (2.6.3.1)
> (3) BUG: Cannot sell 10% and 20% in one transaction
> </quote>
>
> I don't think there are bugs here, but interpretations may differ.
>
> Rails always allows selling multiple shares of the same company in the same
> turn at the same price, regardless how many actions it takes. I know the
> 1835 rules can be interpreted as to mean that each single player selling
> action, even within one turn, would move the price down, but I doubt if that
> is correct. The example in the rules refers to multiple sales in *different*
> turns, and the similar 1844 rules state pretty explicitly that this indeed
> would be the correct interpretation.
>
> (3) is therefore not a bug but a simplification. You can sell as many 10%
> and 20% shares (or 5% and 10% Preussische) in one turn at the same price as
> you like and the rules allow.
>
> Other opinions?
>
> Erik.
>

There are two distinct use-cases here:

1. I sell a share, then realize I meant to sell multiple shares as a
single sale, and so I sell more shares.   Result:  This should be
counted as a single sale, with a single drop in stock value for the
whole sale transaction.

2. I deliberately want to trash the stock price of a company by
selling multiple shares as individual transactions. Result: This
should be counted as multiple sales transactions, and drop the stock
value for each sale transaction.

I'm not sure there's a good code-based way for Rails to distinguish #1
from #2 without additional information.

Personally, I'm totally okay with saying that the correct way to
execute #1 is to click Undo, and re-do your single sale as intended.
This means that Rails should treat all sales as individual
transactions, and so achieving #2 is as easy as "Sell 1... then Sell
1.... then Sell 1..."

---Brett.