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Detection of a new bar for an EA in mql4

  • Post #1
  • Quote
  • First Post: Jul 9, 2015 9:15pm Jul 9, 2015 9:15pm
Hi Guys,

I have been going through this forum and google and am try to find the best method to detect the start of a new bar.

There are lots of different things that people have used in their code. Some look convuluted and some just dont work.

Is there a best way of doing this?

Steev
Hi,

There are 2 (at least) ways of achieving this :

 

  1. You use the previous value returned by "Bars", method for which you will need to store the value of Bars and update this value after each calculations
  2. You define a certain "volume" under which you consider the bar to be a new one (however, even in this method, you should be storing the value of Bars as it will prevent your EA from running multiple computations on the same bar)

I hope it helps a little.

Good day to all,

Thanks Akh,

Is one way better than the other? Is there a code sample you could point me to so I could see how its done?

Steve
hi
Use this function in your code:
bool NewBar()
{
static datetime lastbar;
datetime curbar = Time[0];
if(lastbar!=curbar)
{
lastbar=curbar;
return (true);
}
else
{
return(false);
}
}
The best way to do it is with time, as Mr_jk has alluded to.
Unfortunately, other methods such as volume or bars has proven unreliable (missing ticks, loading history etc).
Quoting Mr_jk
hi Use this function in your code: bool NewBar() { static datetime lastbar; datetime curbar = Time[0]; if(lastbar!=curbar) { lastbar=curbar; return (true); } else { return(false); } }
Hi Mr_Jk,

Correct me if i'm wrong, but you declare the lastbar variable in your function (and as a consequence, your test should always return true).
However, since you need to be able to change/store this value, wouldn't it be better to have the declaration in your main code or maybe in your init function ?

Have all a good day,
Quoting Akh12851
{quote} Hi Mr_Jk, Correct me if i'm wrong, but you declare the lastbar variable in your function (and as a consequence, your test should always return true). However, since you need to be able to change/store this value, wouldn't it be better to have the declaration in your main code or maybe in your init function ? Have all a good day,
lastbar has been declared as a static variable. This means that it keeps its value between function calls.
Quoting honestknave
{quote} lastbar has been declared as a static variable. This means that it keeps its value between function calls.
Thanks for correcting me, didn't pay attention to the static part (maybe also because i prefer to use other methods, producing the same result, but well... )

The most important being the result, and Mr_Jk does does have a nicely written solution to the given problem
Quoting Mr_jk
hi Use this function in your code: bool NewBar() { static datetime lastbar; datetime curbar = Time[0]; if(lastbar!=curbar) { lastbar=curbar; return (true); } else { return(false); } }
Thank you
Be Water My Friend
This is the same as Mr JK, however, this version is compatible with MQL4/5 which makes for easier transition to 5 whenever that time comes. eg. You want to test in 5, but trade on 4.

Edit: It's also the only way you want to check for new bars with MTF on MQL4
Inserted Code
bool IsNewBar()
{
   static datetime lastbar;
   datetime curbar = (datetime)SeriesInfoInteger(_Symbol,_Period,SERIES_LASTBAR_DATE);
   if(lastbar != curbar)
   {
      lastbar = curbar;
      return true;
   }
   return false;
}
Quoting Nicholishen
This is the same as Mr JK, however, this version is compatible with MQL4/5 which makes for easier transition to 5 whenever that time comes. eg. You want to test in 5, but trade on 4. Edit: It's also the only way you want to check for new bars with MTF on MQL4 bool IsNewBar() { static datetime lastbar; datetime curbar = (datetime)SeriesInfoInteger(_Symbol,_Period,SERIES_LASTBAR_DATE); if(lastbar != curbar) { lastbar = curbar; return true; } return false; }
I've been using this code for an alert, and sometimes it only triggers 5-10 minutes after the bar has formed. What am I doing wrong please?
Quoting TheMaxx
{quote} I've been using this code for an alert, and sometimes it only triggers 5-10 minutes after the bar has formed. What am I doing wrong please?
Is the symbol in the market watch window?
Quoting Nicholishen
{quote} Is the symbol in the market watch window?
Yes, I'm running alert indicators on EURJPY and GBPJPY, and they're both showing up in the market watch window.
Quoting TheMaxx
{quote} Yes, I'm running alert indicators on EURJPY and GBPJPY, and they're both showing up in the market watch window.
How frequent is sometimes? Is it always around the same time of day?
Quoting Nicholishen
{quote} How frequent is sometimes? Is it always around the same time of day?
Not really... My indicator should trigger 3-4 times a day per pair, and at random times. I'd say half of my alerts are within a few minutes, half are 5-20 minutes late. I am running it on a VPS which is little overloaded, but runs ok.

What are your thoughts on running this script here to force a refresh?
https://www.forexfactory.com/showthread.php?t=492302

Was thinking of setting the force refresh to every minute to lighten up the resources on my VPS.
Quoting dawsonsg
Hi Guys, I have been going through this forum and google and am try to find the best method to detect the start of a new bar. There are lots of different things that people have used in their code. Some look convuluted and some just dont work. Is there a best way of doing this? Steev

can you add code ?
[email protected] om
Quoting TheMaxx
{quote} Not really... My indicator should trigger 3-4 times a day per pair, and at random times. I'd say half of my alerts are within a few minutes, half are 5-20 minutes late. I am running it on a VPS which is little overloaded, but runs ok. What are your thoughts on running this script here to force a refresh? https://www.forexfactory.com/showthread.php?t=492302 Was thinking of setting the force refresh to every minute to lighten up the resources on my VPS.
What do you mean alerts on a VPS? Are you talking about MQL5.com push notifications to your phone? If so that's your problem. Switch to email.
Quoting Nicholishen
{quote} What do you mean alerts on a VPS? Are you talking about MQL5.com push notifications to your phone? If so that's your problem. Switch to email.
Thank you.
Quoting Nicholishen
{quote} What do you mean alerts on a VPS? Are you talking about MQL5.com push notifications to your phone? If so that's your problem. Switch to email.
I've added an email alert, and it's triggering a few seconds after my push notification?
The best method for determining a new bar is presented by me.

It is important to take into account that with the arrival of a new bar a lot of advisers begin to trade, broker servers are under heavy load and get DOS attack trading programs. The broker server refuses and causes requotes and failures of trade.

I recommend to use the time shift and define a new bar not at 00 : 00 but at 00: 05 seconds
Inserted Code
bool NewBar()
  {
   static datetime time=0;
   if(time==0)
     {
      time=Time[0];
      return false;
     }
   if(time!=Time[0])
     {
      time=Time[0];
      return true;
     }
   return false;
  }
Trader and programmer! ! !
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