MTF indicators don't work during backtests? | Forex Factory

Options

Permalinks
Print Thread

Similar Threads

MTF indicators that don't repaint 20 replies

MTF Stochastics into MTF Stoch Histogram 8 replies

how are spreads calculated on backtests? 2 replies

Question regarding automatic backtests 0 replies

Validity of Backtests in MT3? 1 reply

Attachments: MTF indicators don't work during backtests?
Exit Attachments

MTF indicators don't work during backtests?

  • #1
  • First Post: Dec 21, 2008 9:13am Dec 21, 2008 9:13am
Is it true that any EA that involves multi timeframe will give quirky results?

I'm noticing this only recently when coding the EA for Yaddah (it's now in the recycle bin for some reason.)

the "GREAT MOVE" indicators uses H4 and H1 data while the system is meant to run on 5min. sorry I can't post the codes as I've not attained posting rights from the author.

Anyway, I ran a simple backtest of the EA I made in visual mode. as it ran, I attached the Great Move indicator to view its progress. the moment I saw a couple of green bars, I stopped the test. and the tester will attach the indicators it has used through iCustom on the chart. look at the diagram below.

the Great Move on top is what I attached

the Great Move below is what had been interpreted by the EA's call to iCustom. see the difference?

And by now, the comments on the top left corner should've changed to

"Yaddah turned Green
Waiting for PSAR to go below"

but it didn't because as far as the EA is concerned, the GREAT MOVE bar is still white.

both are using the same input of ADXPeriod = 3.

here's an extract of the iCustom code. No problems here..

Inserted Code
double Get_Yaddah_White_Value(int index)
{
   return ( iCustom(NULL,0,"yaddah-GREAT MOVE",ADXPeriod,0,index) );
}
double Get_Yaddah_Red_Value(int index)
{
   return ( iCustom(NULL,0,"yaddah-GREAT MOVE",ADXPeriod,1,index) );
}
double Get_Yaddah_Green_Value(int index)
{
   return ( iCustom(NULL,0,"yaddah-GREAT MOVE",ADXPeriod,2,index) );
}

Have you guys experience similar phenomenon with other MTF indicators during backtests?

regards,
Zen
Attached Image (click to enlarge)
Click to Enlarge Name: great_move_problem.gif Size: 18 KB
Attached File(s)
File Type: ex4 yaddah-GREAT MOVE.ex4   3 KB | 737 downloads
Programming for a better future.
  • #2
  • Dec 21, 2008 10:06am Dec 21, 2008 10:06am
I had the same problem quite some time ago, it is discussed on forex-tsd, no solution was found.
The breaking of a wave cannot explain the whole sea.
  • #3
  • Dec 21, 2008 12:44pm Dec 21, 2008 12:44pm
1. mt4 strategy tester cheating on mtf EAs
2. manually check mtfs makes virtually impossible - same as looking back you don't know where any indicator's readings was between close1 to close0 - and in mtfcase it's not just one bar - 12 5 min bars from H1 open to close
situation similar to as if we didn't had bar(candle) charts - only line (and no way to know HiLoOpCl prices - just close/close)
obviously, any testing (backtesting) under such circumstances would be very difficult
  • #4
  • Dec 22, 2008 4:26am Dec 22, 2008 4:26am
  •  onu
  • | Joined Feb 2006 | Status: superior senior member | 746 Posts
Quoting Zen_Leow
Is it true that any EA that involves multi timeframe will give quirky results?

I'm noticing this only recently when coding the EA for Yaddah (it's now in the recycle bin for some reason.)

the "GREAT MOVE" indicators uses H4 and H1 data while the system is meant to run on 5min. sorry I can't post the codes as I've not attained posting rights from the author.

Anyway, I ran a simple backtest of the EA I made in visual mode. as it ran, I attached the Great Move indicator to view its progress. the moment I saw a couple of green bars, I stopped...
Hi,
how is the performance when you run the system live on demo?
  • #5
  • Dec 22, 2008 7:34am Dec 22, 2008 7:34am
The only way to have a properly working EA is to have it based on it's respective TF close. But usually the signal is in this case too late
  • #6
  • Jan 29, 2011 7:09am Jan 29, 2011 7:09am
Dear Zen_Leow,

Dear Chris_B,

I see that you're a programmer & wiseguy too. I need help about Renko auto-trading.

I'm testing it now on VPS (Renko pure candle EA by SteveHopwood) & got some idea for improvement but i need your help..

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/...otrading-1.gif

I use _KG_RenkoLiveChart_v3.2 indicator to create Renko Chart on TF M2..

It's High Probabilities,

Regards
[email protected]
  • #7
  • Last Post: Jun 2, 2012 8:22am Jun 2, 2012 8:22am
This must be an old topic with no answers. I really want to get an EA made to free myself from sitting in front of computer all the time. But I've heard of people saying MTF EA can't be back tested, is this true or not? I see a lot of MTF indicators, if this is true, how does people use them?

Thank you in advance for anyone who answers my question.
0 traders viewing now