Blank Results while backtesting - algorithmic-trading

Question

I am new to the world of MQL4-code.
I come from a C++ background and I am trying to learn MQL4 language & conventions.
I am writing a simple Expert Advisor (my first ever).It compiles but, when I am trying to test it, it ends with no results. I attach code to better illustrate what I am trying to do:
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| MyFirstExpert.mq4 |
//| Leonardo |
//| http://investinmarkets.altervista.org |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#property copyright "Leonardo "
#property link "http://investinmarkets.altervista.org"
#property version "1.00"
#property strict
input int BarCount = 3;
int Ticket = 0;
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Expert tick function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void OnTick() {
int BarCountTemp = BarCount + 1;
double bars[];
ArrayResize( bars, BarCountTemp );
for ( int i = 0; i < BarCountTemp; i++ ) {
bars[i] = Close[i + 1];
}
int i = 0;
bool is_p;
do
{
if ( bars[i] > bars[i+1] && i < BarCountTemp ) is_p = true;
else is_p = false;
i++;
}
while ( is_p );
if ( is_p == true && Ticket == 0 ) {
Ticket = OrderSend(_Symbol,OP_SELL,0.1,Bid,0,0,0,"Sell Order Custom",110);
Alert("Sell order opened to match found.");
Comment("Sell order opened #"+Ticket+".");
}
if ( Ticket != 0 ) {
bool select = OrderSelect(Ticket,SELECT_BY_TICKET);
if ( Close[1] > Close[2] ) {
bool close = OrderClose(Ticket,OrderLots(),Ask,0,clrGreen);
Alert("Sell order closed.");
Comment("Sell order closed #"+Ticket+".");
Ticket = 0;
}
}
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
I want to simply count bars (input by user) and then perform a check: if e.g. 3 bars are all positive then open a sell order (just this case for the moment). If opened, the next bar check if still positive, if not close the trade.
I am getting always blank results.
Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

Welcome to the MQL4-world, Leonardo
let's review the syntax:
for ( int i = 0; i < BarCountTemp; i++ ) {
bars[i] = Close[i + 1];
}
int i = 0;
bool is_p;
do
{
if ( bars[i] > bars[i+1] && i < BarCountTemp ) is_p = true;
else is_p = false;
i++;
}
while ( is_p );
could be merged / simplified into a single loop/break construct:
bool is_p = True; // FYI: FALSE if not initialised
// WARNING: "New"-MQL4 has changed variable visibility-scope to be limited just to the innermost syntax-construct and variables easily "cease" exist outside that syntax-construct boundary ... for(){bool is_p ...visible...} ...invisible...
for ( int i = 0; // .SET
i < BarCountTemp; // .TEST: [**]
i++ ) { // .INC
if ( Close[i+1] > Close[i+2] // avoid TimeSeries' replica(s)
// && i < BarCountTemp // ALWAYS TRUE [^**]
) continue; // ---------------------------- LOOP-^
else {
is_p = False;
break; // ---------------------------- EXIT-v
}
Next: got at least one Comment() remark on top of the chart window?
int Ticket = EMPTY; // Rather initialise as = EMPTY;
if ( is_p == True
&& Ticket == EMPTY // un-ambiguous meaning
) {
Ticket = OrderSend( _Symbol, // .SYM
OP_SELL, // .OP
0.1, // .LOTs check sizing, MarketInfo()
Bid, // .PRICE
0, // .SLIPPAGE
0, // .SL
0, // .TP
"Sell Order Custom",// .COMMENT
110 // .MAGNUM
);
if ( Ticket == EMPTY ){ // EXC. HANDLER
...
}
else {
Alert( "Sell order opened to match found." ); // .NOP if isTesting()
Comment( "Sell order opened #" + Ticket + "." ); // .GUI is visible????
}
}
Finally: include Exception handlers for cases, where error may appear
if ( Ticket != EMPTY // TEST 1st,
&& Close[1] > Close[2] // TEST 2nd, prevent dbPool-ops, if not True
) {
bool select = OrderSelect( Ticket, SELECT_BY_TICKET );
if (!select ){ // EXC. HANDLER
...
}
bool close = OrderClose( Ticket,
OrderLots(),
Ask,
0,
clrGreen
);
if (!close ){ // EXC. HANDLER
...
}
Alert( "Sell order closed." );
Comment( "Sell order closed #" + Ticket + "." );
Ticket = EMPTY; // .SET EMPTY
}
}