MathSrand(TimeCurrent()) produces the same random numbers

Hi, there. MathSrand(TimeCurrent()) produces the same random numbers every time I run an EA for backtesting. Could anyone give me some suggestions?

Many thanks!

use TimeLocal() or Time[1] instead. TimeCurrent() will only return the last known server time.

Using
MathSrand(TimeCurrent());
for(int i=0;i<10;i++ )
Print("random value ", MathRand());

produces exactly the same random numbers as LocalTime() or TimeLocal(). Using Time[1] produces different random numbers, but running the code with Time[1] twice, the random numbers are still the same.

TimeCurrent() returns the Broker's Time.
And oftentime, Broker's time is stuck. TimeCurrent() is updated everytime there is a price update, but if your broker lagged, so will this function.

Time[1] is worse than TimeCurrent(); Time[1] refers to the time of the Candle#1 - ie 1 candle before. And if you are using a 1Minute chart, this variable will give you the same data for 1 minute. And if you are using Hourly Chart, that variable will be same for 1 hour. Therefore, its worse than TimeCurrent();

I highly recommend using TimeLocal() instead. This one NEVER lags.

as long as you seed it with the same number it will always generate the same random number sequence. Random really isn't random in the world of computers.

I have noticed the same thing in backtesting. MT4 models CurrentTime so in all likelihood, it will return the same value every time it is called at a certain point in your code. If Srand is seeded with the same value, it will generate the same value.

This is not a problem in forward testing or in real trading.

MathSrand is what's used to seed the random number generator.

To pull the generated number, you need to use MathRand();


http://docs.mql4.com/math/MathSrand
http://docs.mql4.com/math/MathRand

I know it's an old thread.

Just in case someone reads it:

Instead of MathSrand(TimeCurrent()); or MathSrand(TimeLocal());



I think it is better to use:
MathSrand(GetTickCount());


Cheers
Ati

it is mainly designed for Time ticks, and series indicator buffers.