Hi everyone,

I would eventually like to own the MDK but before I go ahead and purchase it I am going to enrol myself into a 6 month evening course in programming. I have been using metastock for sometime and would like to expand my horizons with the MDK. Although I'm comfortable with the metastock language I am a layman when it comes to programming languages. The course I was thinking of doing is the MCSD- microsoft certified solution developer. Because of my inexperience with programming I was hoping someone could visit this site http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsd/requirementsdotnet.mspx and give me some feedback as to whether this would cover what I need to know.  I will have to choose four core exams from seven and one elective exam from a list of nine. I would be extremley gratefull if someone experienced could guide me in choosing the right path (exams). I couldn't think of anyone better to ask than the guys doing it themselves. Also any other info you feel will help I'll be happy to hear.

Thanks in advance for your help

PJ

Hi PJ

You may want to take an exam on 'How to Maintain Patience'

Unfornately the MDK (well...the MSX part anyway) restricts you to using pre-.NET languages like (pre-.NET) C++, Delphi and PowerBASIC. I don't think courses for these languages exist anymore.

However a .NET course on C++ will at least teach you the syntax of the language.

What exactly do you want to use the MDK for? Your answer will determine how much you need to learn, or learn in stages.

If you just want to create custom indicators using MSX then an "Introduction to C++" type course is all you need to get started.

Courses on web-based development would seem completely irrelevant for MDK.

Regards

Craig

Hi Craig,

Thanks for your quick response! As you can see I am a newbie in the programming world, wasn't sure about the course at all so thanks for the advice.

The reason why I want to be able to use the MDK is purely for designing creative ways to exit the market. As far as desining entires go I am  happy just using metastock, but once I start getting creative with my stops the prev function slows things down to an impractical state. For an example say I wanted to design the following stop in metastock:

1. Exit on a stop at the lowest low of the last 24 day. 2. When the close is greater than the entryprice plus 3 average true ranges, then exit on a stop at the lowest low of the 10 days. 3. Once the trade has reached an intraday peak that is 4 average true ranges or more above the entry point, place a sell stop at 2 average true ranges above the entry point. 4. When the close is greater then the entry price plus 6 average true ranges , then exit on a stop at the lowest low of the last 4 days. 5. If the highest close in the trade is greater than one average true range above the entry point and the highest close ocuured within the last 3 days and the ADX begins to decline (lower than 3 days ago) then exit tommorrow at todays low on a stop.

This is an extreme example, and one taken form one of Chuck Le Beaus's systems, but an example of the path I would like to follow.

I stumbled across the DLL created by Richard Dale, http://www.tradernexus.com/advancedstop/advancedstop.html and so believed  that with the MDK these kind of stops would be possible to design and at the same time solve all the prev woes.

At the moment I have been able to design a trailing stop that I can plot on my charts which includes a breakeven stop, one profit target and a time stop. I use this stop on all my systems I trade with but building it and testing it took a lot of time and effort (prev).

Will  being able to use the MDK help in this area, and if so is c++ sufficient? Let me know your feelings, perhaps I'm being over ambitious but I am really determined to get there.

Kind Regards

P.J.

SUTHERLAND:

Will  being able to use the MDK help in this area, and if so is c++ sufficient? 

Absolutely. Programming languages have virtually no bounds. You could create any kind of stop you want (limited only by your imagination).

For example, I have created an algorithm to detect resistance and support lines, rate its strength, and then use them for entry and stop levels.

C++ is very powerful and very fast (ideal for complex algorithms) but hard to learn. A basic course in C++ and object-oriented programming should provide a good base.

Regards

Craig

Hi Craig,

After some searching I have found a group who still do courses on C/C++. They've reccomended doing an introduction to programming course first and then start with C. From there I can progress to C++ if and when I need to.

Thanks a ton for your help! :)

P.J.