Function/Method to get "Bars to Load" value?

[nightlights]

Hi, is there a function / method to get the "Bars to Load" value that is specified in the "Data Series" settings?

I would like to use this value to know how many bars would be loaded, so that my indicator only starts to analyse the conditions to draw an object on the chart after X number of bars. For performance reasons, I would not want to start analysing and drawing from the first bar, especially when I have a lot of historical data loaded. For example, I only want to start drawing from the past 1000 bars onwards, while I may have 20,000 historical bars loaded.

Thanks.

[NinjaTrader_ChrisL]

Hi nightlights, thanks for posting.

The BarsArray[] array contains all Bars objects and the count of BarsArray[0] is:

//In OnStateChanged():
else if (State == State.DataLoaded)
{
    if(BarsArray[0] != null)
    {
        Print(BarsArray[0].Count);
    }
}

Kind regards,
-ChrisL

[nightlights]

Alternatively, how can I reference/compare the date of the chart to start to run my logic and draw only from 5 days ago?

Besides these methods which I can think of, what is the best way to limit the number of objects being drawn by an indicator (so that performance is not impacted)?

Thanks.

[NinjaTrader_ChrisL]

Hi nightlights, thanks for your reply.

You must use the Time[] array which is an array full of DateTime objects that represent the time stamp of each bar e.g.

if(DateTime.Compare(Time[0], DateTime.Now.AddDays(-5)) < 0)
{
    Print("Dont Draw");
    return;
}
else
{
    Print("Drawing");
}

Another fast way to draw custom graphics is to use SharpDX in the OnRender method, see here for documentation on this subject:

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/?using_sharpdx_for_custom_chart_rendering.htm

Kind regards,
-ChrisL