Why does adding exit condition reduce the number of trades in a backtest?

[CSharpTrader]

Hi all. I have a question about strategy development and backtesting. I've noticed that when I add a condition check for exits, instead of leaving exits to exit on close, often fewer trades come in with the exit condition than without. So,

if(condition1)
    EnterLong();

Might return 2000 trades, but

if(condition1)
    EnterLong();
if(condition2)
    ExitLong();

returns fewer (1800+/-) trades. What am I missing?

[NinjaTrader_Joydeep]

Hello CSharpTrader,
Thanks for your post.

To assists you further may I know does your NinjaScript code is a long only strategy or it implements shorts too (via EnterShort for example).

I look forward to assisting you further.

[CSharpTrader]

Hi Joydeep, it's long only. I've seen this happen in most of my strategies, always long only so far.

[NinjaTrader_Joydeep]

Hello CSharpTrader,
To assist you further can you please send a toy NinjaScript code* replicating the behavior to support[AT]ninjatrader[DOT]com

Please append Attn:Joydeep in the subject line of the email and give a reference of this thread in the body of the email.

I look forward to assisting you further.

*The "toy" just means something that is a stripped down version that isn't necessarily the whole logic. It makes things easier to rout out.

[CSharpTrader]

Thanks Joydeep, I just sent it, hopefully it makes sense, let me know if you have any questions..

[NinjaTrader_Joydeep]

Hello CSharpTrader,
This is to confirm I have received your email and has replied to it.