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How to use Indicators in EA

  • #1
  • First Post: May 19, 2008 6:56am May 19, 2008 6:56am
Is it possible to use indicators in EA? I have several indicators and I'd like to trade automatically in an EA according to the indicators.
I tried to combine the code of indicators into the EA but it seems EA doesn't allow indicator API.
Any suggestion? I'm really appreciated for any help.

Thanks
Sarran
  • #2
  • May 19, 2008 9:39am May 19, 2008 9:39am
the indicators must use an indicator buffer so the ea can access the data directly. A quick way to tell if the indicator works this way is to place it on a chart and then open the data window to see if it is showing data.

You can then access the indicator with the iCustom function.

double iCustom(string symbol, int timeframe, string name, ..., int mode, int shift)Calculates the specified custom indicator and returns its value. The custom indicator must be compiled (*.EX4 file) and be in the terminal_directory\experts\indicators directory.
Parameters:
symbol - Symbol the data of which should be used to calculate indicator. NULL means current symbol.timeframe - Timeframe. It can be any of Timeframe enumeration values. 0 means the current chart timeframe.name - Custom indicator compiled program name.... - Parameters set (if necessary). The passed parameters and their order must correspond with the desclaration order and the type of extern variables of the custom indicator.mode - Line index. Can be from 0 to 7 and must correspond with the index used by one of SetIndexBuffer functions.shift - Index of the value taken from the indicator buffer (shift relative to the current bar the given amount of periods ago).
Sample:
double val=iCustom(NULL, 0, "SampleInd",13,1,0);
  • #3
  • May 20, 2008 11:28am May 20, 2008 11:28am
Great, thanks a lot for your kind help. I'll try the method and let you know the result.

Thanks,
Sarran
  • #4
  • Sep 2, 2008 8:27pm Sep 2, 2008 8:27pm
Quoting magnumfreak
the indicators must use an indicator buffer so the ea can access the data directly. A quick way to tell if the indicator works this way is to place it on a chart and then open the data window to see if it is showing data.

You can then access the indicator with the iCustom function.

double iCustom(string symbol, int timeframe, string name, ..., int mode, int shift)Calculates the specified custom indicator and returns its value. The custom indicator must be compiled (*.EX4 file) and be in the terminal_directory\experts\indicators directory.
Parameters:
symbol - Symbol the data of which should be used to calculate indicator. NULL means current symbol.timeframe - Timeframe. It can be any of Timeframe enumeration values. 0 means the current chart timeframe.name - Custom indicator compiled program name.... - Parameters set (if necessary). The passed parameters and their order must correspond with the desclaration order and the type of extern variables of the custom indicator.mode - Line index. Can be from 0 to 7 and must correspond with the index used by one of SetIndexBuffer functions.shift - Index of the value taken from the indicator buffer (shift relative to the current bar the given amount of periods ago).
Sample:
double val=iCustom(NULL, 0, "SampleInd",13,1,0);
i have a supersignal indicators. how do using in my Ea. or how do find BUY or SELL signals in My EA.
double val=iCustom(NULL, 0, "Supersignal",13,1,0)
if val > ? BUY
or if val< ? SELL
Attached File(s)
File Type: mq4 SuperSignal.mq4   2 KB | 604 downloads
  • #5
  • Edited 9:01pm Sep 2, 2008 8:44pm | Edited 9:01pm
Quoting drbastem
i have a supersignal indicators. how do using in my Ea. or how do find BUY or SELL signals in My EA.
double val=iCustom(NULL, 0, "Supersignal",13,1,0)
if val > ? BUY
or if val< ? SELL
This indicator cannot be used reliably, because it repaints up to 24/2 bars back. So it effectively attempts to look into the future. This can be done with a indicator, because the entire buffer array of bars is available for calculation. It cannot be done in a EA, because the decision to buy or sell are done in real time and there is not future collection of bars to look at.

Note these types of indicators that change their signals in the past are worthless for signal generation in real time. They can be used to see a pattern of the past, but that is all.

PHP Code
 int dist=24;
         hhb = Highest(NULL,0,MODE_HIGH,dist,i-dist/2);
         llb = Lowest(NULL,0,MODE_LOW,dist,i-dist/2);
  • #6
  • Sep 3, 2008 3:44am Sep 3, 2008 3:44am
Quoting smjones
This indicator cannot be used reliably, because it repaints up to 24/2 bars back. So it effectively attempts to look into the future. This can be done with a indicator, because the entire buffer array of bars is available for calculation. It cannot be done in a EA, because the decision to buy or sell are done in real time and there is not future collection of bars to look at.

Note these types of indicators that change their signals in the past are worthless for signal generation in real time. They can be used to see a pattern of the past, but that is all.

PHP Code
 int dist=24;
         hhb = Highest(NULL,0,MODE_HIGH,dist,i-dist/2);
         llb = Lowest(NULL,0,MODE_LOW,dist,i-dist/2);
How do Alert in indicators
sample Alert("BUy") or alert("sell").
i am add alert but a lot alert any timer
  • #7
  • Sep 3, 2008 3:50am Sep 3, 2008 3:50am
Quoting drbastem
How do Alert in indicators
sample Alert("BUy") or alert("sell").
i am add alert but a lot alert any timer
add alert but a lot alert any time.
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: alert.JPG Size: 35 KB
  • #8
  • Sep 3, 2008 3:51am Sep 3, 2008 3:51am
Quoting drbastem
How do Alert in indicators
sample Alert("BUy") or alert("sell").
You really cannot on this indicator, because of the same problem. The signal was not present when the trade was live on that bar. The signal appeared after the live bar, because of the shitty way this indicator is written.

One should NEVER use a minus number for a signal generator indicator in the shift position of a function that is placed in a signal buffer array of the indicator that will be drawn on the chart.

It always looks great in hindesight , but these signals do not appear at the live moment of the trade.

Again, a valid use of negative shift is when you are attempting to show a past pattern, for example the way the Zig Zag indicator works. It is not a signal in itself, it is a directional or cyclical indicator
  • #9
  • Sep 3, 2008 3:58am Sep 3, 2008 3:58am
on normal indicators, I would do it like this.

extern bool Alerton = true;
datetime timenow=0;

Start{
....


if( timenow != Time[0] && Alerton && test for the signal )
{
Alert( ......);
timenow = Time[0];
}
  • #10
  • Sep 3, 2008 9:29pm Sep 3, 2008 9:29pm
Quoting smjones
on normal indicators, I would do it like this.

extern bool Alerton = true;
datetime timenow=0;

Start{
....


if( timenow != Time[0] && Alerton && test for the signal )
{
Alert( ......);
timenow = Time[0];
}
Thank You.
  • #11
  • Sep 1, 2016 2:43pm Sep 1, 2016 2:43pm
By now, to use indicator in EA can be used model of
Inserted Code
iCustom(Symbol(),PERIOD_CURRENT,"i-regr",...
or(code of ind will be included in ex4 file of EA)
Inserted Code
#resource "\\Indicators\\i-regr.ex4"
iCustom(Symbol(),PERIOD_CURRENT,"::Indicators\\i-regr.ex4",...
  • #12
  • Last Post: Sep 1, 2016 2:48pm Sep 1, 2016 2:48pm
Quoting eevviill2
By now, to use indicator in EA can be used model of iCustom(Symbol(),PERIOD_CURRENT,"i-regr",... or(code of ind will be included in ex4 file of EA) #resource "\\Indicators\\i-regr.ex4" iCustom(Symbol(),PERIOD_CURRENT,"::Indicators\\i-regr.ex4",...
lol 8 years later...
So many in the Commercial section want to make me rich! :o
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