Using Lists or Arrays to Create my own SMA

[Spiderbird]

Okay, so this is probably a really dumb question that belongs in a c# forum, but I'm hoping I can get an answer here.

I've been lazily assigning variables to past values of NT indicators as a way of easily calculating 3 value moving averages to whatever set of double or int numbers I'm working with. This method is also used for custom values that are combinations of indicator values to capture signals from multiple indicators.

My question is: can I bypass this process of declaring/assigning values in my custom, non-managed strategy and use arrays and/or lists to store previous values and calculate 3,5 or even 10 value averages of assigned values?

I know I'll probably need to post some code, but I'm away from my Dev laptop and figured
I'd start the question via mobile phone to see if anyone had a quick answer.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

[NinjaTrader_PatrickH]

Hello Spiderbird,

Thank you for your post.

Do you need to store these values on the bar as an indicator would? If so you can use DataSeries and IntSeries synced to the bars object.

For information please visit the following links:

• IntSeries: http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/h...ries_class.htm
• DataSeries: http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/h...ries_class.htm

[Spiderbird]

Here's the related code...

Hi Patrick,

That's what I'm not sure about. I'm working with double values primarily. For example, here's how they're declared and how they're defined/calculated:

public class ExampleCode : Strategy     
{

double
ema_5,
ema_5_Prev,
ema_5_Prev3,
ema_5_Prev4,
ema_5_Prev5;

protected override void OnBarUpdate()
{

(...)

//  All EMA settings for different time periods are set here
	ema_5 = Math.Round(EMA(5)[1],2);
	ema_5_Prev = Math.Round(EMA(5)[2],2);
	ema_5_Prev3 = Math.Round(EMA(5)[3],2);
	ema_5_Prev4 = Math.Round(EMA(5)[4],2);
	ema_5_Prev5 = Math.Round(EMA(5)[5],2);

//  Calculate the difference between the five ema figures
ema_BarTrend = Math.Round((ema_5 + ema_5_Prev + ema_5_Prev3 + ema_5_Prev4 + ema_5_Prev5) / 5,2);	

(...)

}
}

I have about 9-11 other instances where this occurs. I define variables for previous values of an indicator and create my own calculations for use in charts/trading.

How would DataSeries or IntSeries work in this scenario to generate more elegant/efficient code?

[NinjaTrader_PatrickH]

Hello Spiderbird,

Thank you for your response.

Below is an example:

        #region Variables
        private DataSeries emaSeries;
		private double ema_BarTrend = 0;
        #endregion
		
        protected override void Initialize()
        {
			emaSeries = new DataSeries(this);
        }
		
        protected override void OnBarUpdate()
        {	
			if(CurrentBar <= 5)
				return;
			
			emaSeries[0] = Math.Round(EMA(5)[0],2);
			
			ema_BarTrend = Math.Round((emaSeries[0] + emaSeries[1] + emaSeries[2] + emaSeries[3] + emaSeries[4])/5, 2);