I know you can set the Session begin and end time in Chart properties - is this a reliable way to limit the time an auto strategy runs?

Also, is there a practical way to code this in the strategy? Say to limit the time the strategy runs for 2 hours or a time variable only?

Nano

nanobiotech 

I know you can set the Session begin and end time in Chart properties - is this a reliable way to limit the time an auto strategy runs? Also, is there a practical way to code this in the strategy? Say to limit the time the strategy runs for 2 hours or a time variable only? Nano

Sure. Here's how the OnBarUpdate() of all of my strats look like

 

Code

protected override void OnBarUpdate() {     if (TimeToTrade)     {         if (InPosition)             ManageTrade();              if (!InPosition)             LookForTrade();     }     else     {         if (InPosition)             FlattenPosition();     } } ......... private bool TimeToTrade {     get     {         if (_tradeTimeBegin == 0 || _tradeTimeEnd == 0)             return true;         else         {             if (_tradeTimeBegin > _tradeTimeEnd)    // sessions that begin previous day and end next day               return ToTime(Time[0]) >= _tradeTimeBegin || ToTime(Time[0]) <= _tradeTimeEnd;             else               return ToTime(Time[0]) >= _tradeTimeBegin && ToTime(Time[0]) <= _tradeTimeEnd;         }     } }     ............... private int _tradeTimeBegin = 0; // Default setting for TTB [Description("Beginning trading time")] [Category("Parameters")] public int TTB {     get { return _tradeTimeBegin; }     set { _tradeTimeBegin = Math.Max(0, value); } } private int _tradeTimeEnd = 0; // Default setting for TT [Description("Ending trading time")] [Category("Parameters")] public int TTE {     get { return _tradeTimeEnd; }     set { _tradeTimeEnd = Math.Max(0, value); } }

So when I run/backtest the strat I set the TTB and TTE to the times I want trading to begin/end, regardless of the session time as defined by Ninja because often you have indicators that rely on previous bars of data that are outside of your trading range.

Thanks Shodson, I appreciate your help. I'll give this a go.
Nano