Help understanding script

[trader3000a]

Hi,
I generated this strat with the experimental AI option. I understand approxCompare but need help understanding what the "Values" sections are doing/refering to. I looked at the documentation for "Values", but I'm still not clear. Any help appreciated.
David

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

protected override void OnStateChange()
{
base.OnStateChange();

if (State == State.SetDefaults)
{
IncludeTradeHistoryInBacktest = false;
IsInstantiatedOnEachOptimizationIteration = true;
MaximumBarsLookBack = MaximumBarsLookBack.TwoHundredFiftySix;
Name = "AutoStrategy";
SupportsOptimizationGraph = false;
}
else if (State == State.Configure)
{
}
else if (State == State.DataLoaded)
{
AddChartIndicator(KeltnerChannel(1.40625, 9));
AddChartIndicator(KeltnerChannel(1.125, 9));
AddChartIndicator(KeltnerChannel(0.84375, 10));
AddChartIndicator(KeltnerChannel(1.5, 10));
}
}

protected override void OnBarUpdate()
{
base.OnBarUpdate();

if (CurrentBars[0] < BarsRequiredToTrade)
return;

if (KeltnerChannel(1.40625, 9)[1].ApproxCompare(KeltnerChannel(1.125, 9).Values[2][2]) > 0)
EnterLong();

if (KeltnerChannel(0.84375, 10).Values[1][0].ApproxCompare(KeltnerChannel(1.5, 10)[1]) <= 0)
ExitLong();
}
}
}​

[NinjaTrader_Jesse]

Hello trader3000a,

Values is the name used for the collection of plots that an indicator has. That is saying to use the second plot and 2 bars ago on that plot. For the Keltner channel that would be its Lower plot.

https://ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt8/values.htm?zoom_highlightsub=values+collection

[trader3000a]

Hi Jesse,
What about the first part of the first statement, which does not contain a "Values" section? Does it mean the upper keltner level in that case (is uppper the defualt?), or the midline, or...?
thanks,
David

[NinjaTrader_Jesse]

Hello trader3000a,

That is shorthand for the first plot an indicator has. That's generally used if an indicator only has one plot so you don't need to specify a plot name. That still works to reference the first added plot on any indicator.

To know which plot is which you can look in the indicators code at the AddPlot statements. The order the plots are added in relate to which Values index it is. The first AddPlot is Values[0] and then it increments from there. The Values[2] used in that code would be the 3rd added plot.

The first added plot in the Keltner is the midline.

[trader3000a]

Hi Jesse, thanks. So the first line in the strat's execution is saying:

If the midline of the 1.40625, 9 period keltner channel 1 bar ago is greater than the lower line of the 1.125, 9 period keltner channel 2 bars ago, enter long.

Am I correct?

David

[NinjaTrader_Jesse]

Hello trader3000a,

That sounds correct, because ApproxCompare is used its best to bring in the definition for that to see how that is used in the condition.

An int value representing the outcome of the comparison. Returns 0 if values are equal, 1 if value1 is greater than value2. -1 if value1 is less than value2.

if (KeltnerChannel(1.40625, 9)[1].ApproxCompare(KeltnerChannel(1.125, 9).Values[2][2]) > 0)

This is saying if the midline of 1 bar ago is greater than the the Lower plot of two bars ago.