Parameters do not change when change strategy & Failed to Call Method error

[stearno]

I created a strategy. When I go to backtest it, I choose the instrument, click Backtest, and then choose the strategy name. When I do, none of the parameters change. They stay on whatever strategy was chosen before.

Here is what happens when click Bactest on an instrument:


Then, I choose my strategy I want to backtest:


As you can see, the parameters have not changed.

I then open the output window, and it says:
**NT** Failed to call method 'Initialize' for strategy 'Mymoneymaker/b66c95fa84c0440fa26f72f7d404a518': Unexpected initial token 'Integer' when populating object. Expected JSON object or array. Path '', line 1, position 1.

What do I do to fix this error so I can backtest this strategy?

The strategy I am trying to backtest is:

#region Using declarations
using System;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Drawing.Drawing2D;
using System.Xml.Serialization;
using NinjaTrader.Cbi;
using NinjaTrader.Data;
using NinjaTrader.Indicator;
using NinjaTrader.Gui.Chart;
using NinjaTrader.Strategy;
#endregion

// This namespace holds all strategies and is required. Do not change it.
namespace NinjaTrader.Strategy
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Based upon APEX's Momentum Scalping Strategy
    /// </summary>
    [Description("Based upon APEX's Momentum Scalping Strategy")]
    public class Mymoneymaker : Strategy
    {
        #region Variables
        // Wizard generated variables
        private int profitTarget = 6; // Default setting for ProfitTarget
        private int stopLoss = 9; // Default setting for StopLoss
        // User defined variables (add any user defined variables below)
        #endregion
		private int  	target1 		= 6;
		private int 	stoploss1		= 9;
		

        /// <summary>
        /// This method is used to configure the strategy and is called once before any strategy method is called.
        /// </summary>
        protected override void Initialize()
        {
            Add(ApexDiagnosticExpectedVolume("4, 0, true"));
            CalculateOnBarClose = true;
        }
		
		private void GoLong()
		{
			EnterLongStop(DefaultQuantity, High[1] + (3 * TickSize), "MomLong");
			SetProfitTarget("MomLong", CalculationMode.Price, High[1] + (Target1*TickSize));
            SetStopLoss("MomLong", CalculationMode.Price, High[1] + (Stoploss1*TickSize), false);
            
		}
		
		private void GoShort()
		{
			EnterShortStop(DefaultQuantity, Low[1] - (3 * TickSize), "MomShort");
			SetProfitTarget("MomShort", CalculationMode.Price, Low[1] - (Target1*TickSize));
            SetStopLoss("MomShort", CalculationMode.Price, Low[1] - (Stoploss1*TickSize), false);
		}
		
        protected override void OnBarUpdate()
        {
			if (Position.MarketPosition != MarketPosition.Flat) return;
			
            // Long Condition
            if (ApexDiagnosticExpectedVolume("4, 0, true").ActualVolumeDataSeries[1] > ApexDiagnosticExpectedVolume("4, 0, true").ExpectedVolumeDataSeries[1]
                && Close[1] > Open[1])
            {
                GoLong();
            }

            // Short Condition
            if (ApexDiagnosticExpectedVolume("4, 0, true").ActualVolumeDataSeries[1] > ApexDiagnosticExpectedVolume("4, 0, true").ExpectedVolumeDataSeries[1]
                && Close[1] < Open[1])
            {
                GoShort();
            }
        }
		


        #region Properties
        [Description("Momentkum Strategy")]
        [GridCategory("Parameters")]
        public int Target1
        {
            get { return target1; }
            set { target1 = Math.Max(1, value); }
        }

        [Description("")]
        [GridCategory("Parameters")]
        public int Stoploss1
        {
            get { return stoploss1; }
            set { stoploss1 = Math.Max(1, value); }
        }
        #endregion
    }
}

Thanks for your help!

-Stearno

[NinjaTrader_Bertrand]

Stearno, would expect that behavior with the initialize error you get, would you get the same outcome if you commented out the custom indicator you try to Add() for visualization?

[stearno]

Yep, I removed that line and it fixed the initialization error message.

I now can see the parameters in Strategy Analyzer.

But I think I still have a problem because it results with zeros.

One possible problem is when I reference the custom indicator in the code, it will not let me just use type in the 3 arguments like with other indicators.

Okay, if I right click and use insert condition, choose the indicator, then it inserts it like this: ApexDiagnosticExpectedVolume("{"PeriodInMinutes":4 ,"OffsetInMinutes":0,"UseFuturesVolumeForForex":tr ue}").ActualVolumeDataSeries[1]

I then get an error when I try to compile it. It says ( is expected, : is expected, etc.)

So, then I remove all the excess info and make it have normal arguments like a normal indicator. So I type in:

ApexDiagnosticExpectedVolume(4, 0, true).ActualVolumeDataSeries[1]

Then again, I get error messages about having the wrong number of arguments. It says it needs 3 arguments (which I have).

So, to not get error messages, I have to use the "" around the arguments. But then my fear is that it is not accessing the custom indicator like it is suppose to.
ApexDiagnosticExpectedVolume("4, 0, true").ActualVolumeDataSeries[1]

So how do I reference the custom indicator properly in this strategy? I appreciate your help!

I cannot post the indicator here as it is proprietary and I only rent it, but I can email to you if that will help. Thanks.

-Stearno