Strategy Gui.CategoryOrder is not always respected

[Shai Samuel]

Hi,
I wrote a strategy with many properties, divided into CategoryOrder. I do have at the top of the code the Gui.CategoryOrder declared, but regardless, a few GroupName are shown out of the order (see below the first 3, which should bee in different order: Entries, Targets, Money Management]. Attached is a MyCustomeStrategy.zip example code with only the properties declared, which you can use to replicate the issue.

    [Gui.CategoryOrder("Structure"                  , 3000110)]
    [Gui.CategoryOrder("Entries"                  , 3000120)]
    [Gui.CategoryOrder("Risk & Stops"              , 3000130)]
    [Gui.CategoryOrder("Targets"                  , 3000150)]
    [Gui.CategoryOrder("Filter Trend"              , 3000210)]
    [Gui.CategoryOrder("Filter Momo"              , 3000230)]
    [Gui.CategoryOrder("Money Management"         , 3000400)]
     [Gui.CategoryOrder("Account"                 , 3000700)]
     [Gui.CategoryOrder("Visual"                 , 3000900)]
​

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello Shai Samuel,

I've tested your script but I am seeing these appear in a different order.



May I confirm you are using 8.1.1.7?

https://account.ninjatrader.com/download

May I confirm you are testing the script you have provided in post # 1?

[Shai Samuel]

Yes I am using 8.1.1.7.

As far as reproducing the issue, opening the strategy in in the chart creates the correct order, but try opening it in Strategy:


.

[QuantKey_Bruce]

It would seem that Strategy Analyzer may not be dealing with this the same way the chart Strategies dialog does.

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello Shai Samuel,

Thank you for your note this can only be reproduced in the Strategy Analyzer.

I was able to reproduce and am inquiring if this is a forced category ordering in the SA with our development.

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello Shai Samuel Bruce,

Apologies, but I'm not actually reproducing.

The General category will be at the top as that category cannot be modified, but everything else appears to be in order.

[Shai Samuel]

Seems very good. In this case the issue is on my computer. Is there a file (xml?) that holds the setup that I can delete and have it rebuilt?

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello Shai Samuel,

No, there wouldn't be a file for that.

Its constructed when the instance of the strategy class is constructed.

The Xml files are the workspace and template, which are not controlling the category order.

Have you made modifications? If so, have you restarted NinjaTrader since making those modifications?

[Shai Samuel]

Chelsea, I stripped the code in MyCustomStrategy to just 2 properties (see below) and the issue still persists.

This looks like some kind of BUG in my local setting, don't you think so?\

I have also attached the code.

#region Using declarations
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.ComponentModel.DataAnnotations;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using System.Windows;
using System.Windows.Input;
using System.Windows.Media;
using System.Xml.Serialization;
using NinjaTrader.Cbi;
using NinjaTrader.Gui;
using NinjaTrader.Gui.Chart;
using NinjaTrader.Gui.SuperDom;
using NinjaTrader.Gui.Tools;
using NinjaTrader.Data;
using NinjaTrader.NinjaScript;
#endregion

namespace NinjaTrader.NinjaScript.Strategies
{
    [Gui.CategoryOrder("Structure"               , 3000110)]
    [Gui.CategoryOrder("Entries"                  , 3000120)]

    public class MyCustomStrategy : Strategy
    {
        protected override void OnStateChange()
        {
            if (State == State.SetDefaults)
            {
                Description                                    = @"Enter the description for your new custom Strategy here.";
                Name                                        = "MyCustomStrategy";
                Calculate                                    = Calculate.OnBarClose;
                MaximumBarsLookBack                            = MaximumBarsLookBack.TwoHundredFiftySix;
                BarsRequiredToTrade                            = 20;
                // Disable this property for performance gains in Strategy Analyzer optimizations
                // See the Help Guide for additional information
                IsInstantiatedOnEachOptimizationIteration    = true;

            }
            else if (State == State.Configure)
            {
            }
        }

        [NinjaScriptProperty]
        [Display(Name = "Swing Strength", Order = 2, GroupName = "Structure")]
        public int SwingStrength { get; set; }

        [NinjaScriptProperty]
        [Display(Name="Entry Dir Type", Order=2, GroupName="Entries")]
        public int EntryDirType { get; set; }                    
    }
}
​

[Shai Samuel]

Good news, I wan able to solve the issue.

I changed the name of the categories and they move to place.

This still looks like some kind of a BUG. Thanks for your support anyway.

[jeronymite]

Shai Samuel Have you tried changing the values of the categories? Instead of 3000xxx, perhaps try just simply 1, 2, 3, ... ? This will at least show if it's name-related, value-related, buggy, or ... ???

Thanks.

[Shai Samuel]

Thank you @jeronymite.

Yes I did, and it didn't help. The reason I use these numbers, is to place my groups between the NT categories.

Anyway, I manage to solve the issue by changing the text of the groups. I believe it is some kind of a BUG, but one that can be overcome.

[NinjaTrader_ChelseaB]

Hello Shai Samuel,

I've thought further about your inquiry if this could be an issue saved in an xml file.

May I have you try deleting the Documents\NinjaTrader 8\UI.xml file and then run the repair from the NinjaTrader installer?

https://account.ninjatrader.com/download

Then let me know if you are still able to reproduce?

[Shai Samuel]

Thank you Chelsea, I think this has done the job.