Print statement depending on local time outside OnBarUpdate

[KirkHammett]

Hi,

I want my Strategy to make Print statements to the output window OUTSIDE THE ONBARUPDATE method when my local time is 8 o'clock (DateTime.Now.Hour) . So, I want that print statement no matter if there was a new bar or not. Unfortunately, when I activate the strategy there are no print statements in the output window.

namespace NinjaTrader.NinjaScript.Strategies
{
public class XYZ: Strategy
{

public void PrintOnLocalTime()
{
if (DateTime.Now.Hour == 8)
Print("......");
}

What am I doing wrong?


Kirk

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello Kirk,

In real-time you could use a timer.

https://ninjatrader.com/support/forum/showthread.php?p=496445#post496445

[KirkHammett]

Thanks a lot Chelsea! I was able to make it work.

I just have two questions for my understanding:

1. Timer:

else if (State == State.Realtime)
{[INDENT]Dispatcher.InvokeAsync(() =>
{[/INDENT][INDENT=2]myTimer = new System.Windows.Threading.DispatcherTimer();
myTimer.Interval = TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(TimerInterval);
myTimer.Tick += TimerEventProcessor;
myTimer.IsEnabled = true;[/INDENT][INDENT]});[/INDENT]
 
 }

I changed the code from "ChartControl.Dispatcher.InvokeAsync(() =>" to "Dispatcher.InvokeAsync(() =>" because I want the timer to trigger my custom method outside of a chart. Why doesnt it simply work without it or with a method like "private void Timer()"? Why do I need "Dispatcher.InvokeAsync(()"? I read through the NT help guide but as far as I understand the Dispatcher is just for UI and I am not using UI here.

2. Indicator

In the indicator you created a series of the CurrentBar

protected override void OnBarUpdate()
{[INDENT]myDoubleSeries[0] = CurrentBar;[/INDENT]
 
 }

Why do I need a series here? I tried it with a class level private int variable instead of myDoubleSeries[0]. But when I added the indicator to my strategy the prints showed me "0" instead of the current bar.

Thanks a lot for your help!

Regards
Kirk

[NinjaTrader_Jim]

Hello KirkHammet,

A DispatcherTimer needs a dispatcher, which is available on a UI thread of a chart, and where using ChartControl.Dispatcher.InvokeAsync would be needed. If you want to use a timer without using ChartControl.Dispatcher, you can consider using a different timer.

The example attached will not use the same kind of timer.

The use of the Series<double> is there just to demonstrate reading Series values from TriggerCustomEvent, from the timer event method.

[KirkHammett]

Thanks a lot for your prompt answer Jim. The Dispatcher topic is clear to me now. But I still have a problem with understanding the Series<double> topic.

If I create a private int variable at the indicators class level and assign the CurrentBar to it in OnBarUpdate, I am only getting "0" as prints and not the current bar. I am only getting the correct Current Bar value in my print statements if I create a private series variable and assign the CurrentBar to it in OnBarUpdate. I just don't understand why I need the series variable.

So the following modification in your example prints only "0" for myBar. If myBar is a series<int> it works. Why is that so?

public class SampleCustomEvents : Indicator
{
private int myBar;


protected override void OnBarUpdate()
{
myBar = CurrentBar;
}

private void MyCustomHandler(object state)
{
Print(myBar);
}
}

Thanks a lot for your help!

[NinjaTrader_Jim]

Hello KirkHammett,

It would be helpful to attach source code exports similar to what we are sharing so we can see the full context of your test script.

It is not clear if you are using TriggerCustomEvent, and how you have the timer set up.

You may compare with the attached script which uses the same timer in post#4 and also prints a private int and a Series<double> value.

[KirkHammett]

Hi Jim!

Thanks a lot for your response. With your code the myInt prints are correct.

However, if I just change the Code in Line 99 by making the Print(mySeries[0]) as a comment, the myInt prints are wrong: I am getting a 0 instead of the current bar. See below the file.

Why does it behave that way? This makes no sense to me at all.

[NinjaTrader_Jim]

Hello KirkHammett,

I have received your note.

If you were testing out an event that was not unsubscribed that event may still be firing old code. Try restarting the platform, and testing the indicator again. I also suggest changing the name of the indicator so you can be sure you are testing the same version.

Below is a demonstration of my test.

Demo - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P_6...w?usp=drivesdk

[KirkHammett]

Thank you very much Jim!

Changing the name solved the problem in the Chart. But I have the same problem if I add the indicator to a strategy and enable the strategy.

I duplicated the SampleSMACrossOver Strategy, added the SampleTimerTest in DataLoaded and enabled the strategy (synchronize account, immediately submit). I am getting "0" no matter if I change the name of the indicator in the script, restart NT8 etc. However addingthe indicator on the Chart I am getting the correct values. See below the example.

Why is the problem still occuring in the Strategy but not on the Chart? I need it in the strategy, so I would very much appreciate if you have any solutions here as well.

Thanks a lot for your efforts!

[NinjaTrader_Jim]

Hello KirkHammett,

Thanks, this detail helps clarify.

The indicator is not plotting anything or updating Series<T> objects, so OnBarUpdate is not being called for the indicator when it is added in the strategy.

Note from the Help Guide:

Hosted indicators will need to be accessed by the hosting script to ensure OnBarUpdate functionality. This can be done by: 1) Calling Update on the hosted indicator within the host script, 2) Including a plot in the hosted indicator and accessing the plot in the host script, 3) Including a plot in the hosted indicator and adding the indicator to the chart with AddChartIndicator (strategies only)

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/NT%20HelpGuide%20English.html?onbarupdate.htm

In regards to the note Series<T> are also applicable, as these are what are used for plots.

[KirkHammett]

Thanks Jim this was the problem! Calling SystemTimer().Update() in OnBarupdate of the strategy solved all problems! Thanks a lot for your help!