How to detect a Ranging Condition | Forex Factory

Options

Permalinks
Print Thread

Similar Threads

Indicator for identifying ranging condition 89 replies

[MT4] - Detect when price approaches arbitrary drawn objects 1 reply

best was to detect new bar 7 replies

How can I detect a specific TF to diff-TF change? Static doesn't work. 10 replies

How to detect it's 2 hours before market close for the weekend ? 12 replies

Attachments: How to detect a Ranging Condition
Exit Attachments

How to detect a Ranging Condition

  • #1
  • First Post: Edited 6:07am Dec 9, 2021 5:55am | Edited 6:07am
Hi coders

Could you please share your codes to detect a ranging condition by using loops / special formulas ? Honestly, I do not find the ADX indicator is effective or efficient to tell a ranging condition.

Basically, there are 4 types of ranging conditions : sideway ranging, upward ranging, downward ranging and big ranging (I try to avoid big ranging), how to detect them ? Thanks.
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: ranging.png Size: 24 KB
  • #2
  • Dec 9, 2021 6:55am Dec 9, 2021 6:55am
Quoting chimoong
Hi coders Could you please share your codes to detect a ranging condition by using loops / special formulas ? Honestly, I do not find the ADX indicator is effective or efficient to tell a ranging condition. Basically, there are 4 types of ranging conditions : sideway ranging, upward ranging, downward ranging and big ranging (I try to avoid big ranging), how to detect them ? Thanks. {image}
To detect what you have on your chart you can just use simple logic;

Close < Highesthigh(close, <length of range>) and Close > Lowestlow(close, <length of range>)
  • #3
  • Dec 9, 2021 7:37am Dec 9, 2021 7:37am
Quoting redbaron1981
{quote} To detect what you have on your chart you can just use simple logic; Close < Highesthigh(close, <length of range>) and Close > Lowestlow(close, <length of range>)
Thanks Redbaron,

1) Length of range is hard to decide because there are short, medium and long ranges. Would it be possible to have a set of codes (perhaps with loops) to detect it automatically ?

2) Sorry Redbaron, I do not have programming background but I'm learning coding now. Hope you do not mind to write down your codes (only on the ranging conditions portion) so that I can learn and test it ? Thanks
  • #4
  • Dec 9, 2021 8:42am Dec 9, 2021 8:42am
Quoting chimoong
{quote} Thanks Redbaron, 1) Length of range is hard to decide because there are short, medium and long ranges. Would it be possible to have a set of codes (perhaps with loops) to detect it automatically ? 2) Sorry Redbaron, I do not have programming background but I'm learning coding now. Hope you do not mind to write down your codes (only on the ranging conditions portion) so that I can learn and test it ? Thanks
Try Bollinger band squeeze indicator, when bands are narrow you have a range.
It never gets easier, you just get better
  • #5
  • Dec 9, 2021 10:36am Dec 9, 2021 10:36am
For detecting sideways ranging conditions, nothing beats the simple and effective solutions suggested by redbaron1981 and Shabs19.

However, you also want to detect drifting ranges. In that case, you could try the ATR. You can compare the current ATR value against the "nominal" (average or median) ATR. However, beware that the ATR varies *A LOT* during the day, so you must determine what is "nominal" for that time of day before comparing.

In addition, when is a up or down drifting range a range, and when is it a trend? Depending on your strategy you might want to filter out more aggressively, or not. What is a trend to one strategy might be merely a range to another. Try combining the ATR filter with the slope of a Moving Average.
  • #6
  • Dec 10, 2021 4:35am Dec 10, 2021 4:35am
Quoting Shabs19
{quote} Try Bollinger band squeeze indicator, when bands are narrow you have a range.
Thanks Shabs19, due to non-programming background, I only know how to use the simple codes of iBands ( https://docs.mql4.com/indicators/ibands ) but don't know the codes to detect the "squeeze". Hope you can write down your codes to detect the ranges, thanks.
  • #7
  • Dec 10, 2021 4:40am Dec 10, 2021 4:40am
Quoting yoriz
For detecting sideways ranging conditions, nothing beats the simple and effective solutions suggested by redbaron1981 and Shabs19. However, you also want to detect drifting ranges. In that case, you could try the ATR. You can compare the current ATR value against the "nominal" (average or median) ATR. However, beware that the ATR varies *A LOT* during the day, so you must determine what is "nominal" for that time of day before comparing. In addition, when is a up or down drifting range a range, and when is it a trend? Depending on your strategy...
Thanks Yoriz, thanks.

For Shabs19's Bollinger band squeeze, I have no clue how to write down the codes to detect the ranges.

For Redbaron1981's style, he didn't respond at all for his codes, talk only. Seems you understand his concept, would you mind to write down his codes for me to study and test ?

For your current ATR value against the "nominal", do you have sample of your codes, kindly provide. Thanks
  • #8
  • Dec 10, 2021 5:15am Dec 10, 2021 5:15am
Quoting chimoong
{quote} Thanks Yoriz, thanks. For Shabs19's Bollinger band squeeze, I have no clue how to write down the codes to detect the ranges. For Redbaron1981's style, he didn't respond at all for his codes, talk only. Seems you understand his concept, would you mind to write down his codes for me to study and test ? For your current ATR value against the "nominal", do you have sample of your codes, kindly provide. Thanks
There is a thread here on forex factory with a free mq4 indicator file author has provided for any modification if required.
You can adjust the bandwidth detection as it will be different for different pairs & timeframes.

https://www.forexfactory.com/thread/...ading-strategy

Pls note, I am not affiliated to, or neither am I promoting anyone here.
It never gets easier, you just get better
  • #9
  • Dec 10, 2021 10:08am Dec 10, 2021 10:08am
Quoting chimoong
I have no clue how to write down the codes to detect the ranges. [..] would you mind to write down his codes for me to study and test ? [..] do you have sample of your codes, kindly provide.
If you are new to coding, reading small snippets of unrelated code is not helpful. I suggest you download and examine other peoples .mq5 files. There are many on this forum you can download. You learn by studying their code, make small modifications, etc.
  • #10
  • Dec 10, 2021 1:02pm Dec 10, 2021 1:02pm
Quoting Shabs19
{quote} There is a thread here on forex factory with a free mq4 indicator file author has provided for any modification if required. You can adjust the bandwidth detection as it will be different for different pairs & timeframes. https://www.forexfactory.com/thread/...ading-strategy Pls note, I am not affiliated to, or neither am I promoting anyone here.
Noted with thanks
  • #11
  • Last Post: Dec 10, 2021 1:03pm Dec 10, 2021 1:03pm
Quoting yoriz
{quote} If you are new to coding, reading small snippets of unrelated code is not helpful. I suggest you download and examine other peoples .mq5 files. There are many on this forum you can download. You learn by studying their code, make small modifications, etc.
Noted with thanks. FYI, I only know mql4 but do not know mql5 at all
0 traders viewing now