Major DLL problem, need help please :)

[mktrend]

The program I use, can only Load the Library if a Header .h file which contains the exported functions is also accompanied.
How do I make that for the NtDirect.dll?

thanks

[NinjaTrader_Dierk]

Unfortunately this is beyond what we provide support for.

Hint: You'll need to load the library by LoadLibrary and take it from there. Please consult the Microsoft documentation for how to load and access a DLL "dynamically".

[mktrend]

Thank you Dierk,
Do you know if this is a managed or a COM object or if it's unmanaged?

paying ahead, here's a list of the Functions(still missing the prototypes though(working on it)):
Ask
AskPlayback
AvgEntryPrice
AvgFillPrice
Bid
BidPlayback
BuyingPower
CashValue
Command
ConfirmOrders
Connected
Filled
Last
LastPlayback
MarketData
MarketPosition
NewOrderId
OrderStatus
Orders
QueryInstrument
RealizedPnL
SetAllocReturnString
SetMaxReturnStringLength
SetUp
StopOrders
Strategies
StrategyPosition
SubscribeMarketData
TargetOrders
TearDown
UnsubscribeMarketData

[NinjaTrader_Dierk]

This is a unmanaged DLL.

[mktrend]

sorry was a repeat of the above.

[mktrend]

Again thanks, it's as I had anticipated.

Here's the problem and it is NOT a programming one, I want to use MATLAB in conjunction with Ninja Trader for Automation purposes.
Matlab, only handles unmanaged DLL's but must have the .h file too.
I could probably hack my way into building this .h file for the NtDirect.dll but it would take the NT engineers like 2 minutes of their time Vs. my several days!
Now, since this is totally a favorable innovation for NT which would help bring onboard MATLAB too and it DOES NOT by any ways or means jeopardize the NT interest and to the contrary it should be of utmost interest to them to expand their utilization and grow the customer base, I'd like to request if NT could invest 2 minutes and publish the .h file of interest and add many happy customers to their base?
thanks again

This is a unmanaged DLL.

[NinjaTrader_Dierk]

>> Matlab, only handles unmanaged DLL's but must have the .h file too.
Unfortuantely this is not supported.

[KChuck]

NtDirect.dll header file

Did you ever get a header file for NtDirect.dll? I also want to interface Matlab with NinjaTrader.

[KChuck]

MATLAB call to NtDirect.dll

Using MATLAB's NET.addAssembly instruction on NtDirect.dll:

results in the MATLAB error message:

"Could not load file or assembly. The module was expected to contain an assembly manifest."

Any idea why?

[NinjaTrader_JC]

Hello KChuck,

I am not familiar with MATLAB, but are you using or compiling any .NET files that use .NET 4 or above?

[KChuck]

My MATLAB system is configured (using mex) to use the MS Studio 2010 compiler (.NET version 4).

[NinjaTrader_JC]

Hello KChuck,

NinjaTrader 7 only supports up to .NET 3.5, can you try to change to 3.5 and try this again.

[KChuck]

JC,

Thanks, I will find an older MS Studio compiler and mex MATLAB to it.
I will post my results and hopefully successfully play MATLAB througn NtDirect.dll.

Any chance that Ninjatrader will release an NtDirect.dll that is compiled with MS Visual Studio 2010? That would be useful not only for MATLAB users, but the whole C# community that use the 2010 MS Visual Studio tools and associated .dll tools.

[NinjaTrader_JC]

Hello KChuck,

In NinjaTrader 7 this is most likely not going to change, but there are different ways of accessing it to be able to use it inside of Visual Studios that you can use it is just not supported is all.

Here are two good thread that you may view.

http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/forum/showthread.php?p=27661

http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/forum/showthread.php?t=6971

[KChuck]

The NtDirect.dll uses old style 32 bit C format. I have written my own .h file and Matlab does see the library using the loadlibrary command. However, at run time on Windows7, Matlab crashes. Reading through the crash report, it is clear that a 64 bit .dll from Ninjatrader was called and caused the crash. It would appear that there are two possible solutions:
1. Get a copy of Windows XP and use that OS along with a 32 bit version of Matlab. This should play fine with a 32 bit version of NT. This is like turning the clock back 5 to 10 years.
2. Beg and plead with Ninjatrader to compile a modern 64 bit version of NtDirect.dll that puts them in this decade of software development. Let's face it, 64 bits is here to stay and there should be no avoiding it! Please give us a 64 bit gateway to accessing Ninjatrader!