MetaStock Developer's Kit (MDK) Assistance

"Official" dll Programming Requests

StorkBite — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 11:14:09 GMT

New Requests

Multiple time frame fucntion so that any indicator in one time frame can be plotted on other time frame

URL, SMS and email alerts. Similar functonality to "evaluate condition and if true then write a {variable}.txt with a msg {variable} in c:/{variable}"

trend line function with variable time periods, support and resistance lines, plus option for third line like Andrews pitch fork

Volume by Price... maybe not as a horizontal, but as vertical bars - it can be done! says wabbit :D

Completed Requests
1. DateRange
2. VarHHV
3. VarSUM
4. VarLLVBARS
5. VarRSI
6. VarCMO
7. Function(firstDate, lastDate) and/or function(periodsAgo,periodUnits) [DateRange]
8. In explorations and system tests, there should be a section to declare "global" variables to be used throughout that, and only that, exploration. [GV.dll]
9. Expert advisor with MA cross and Demand Index - Demand Index has been coded in the native MS Formula Language. Creation of the expert is now up to the individual!
  
  Deferred Requests
  1. Optimize outside the system tester to increase speed... External functions will be slower than System Tester?
    
    ***Last updated: Jun 16, 2006*** by wabbit

* Post new dll Wishlist items here *

StorkBite — Sat, 10 Sep 2005 12:29:09 GMT

This is more of a thread for organization than anything. It does not pertain to any particular dll. Post your ideas here and perhaps one of the programmers might get interested! :D

Variable moving average - anyone knows what it plots in the null area?

exito100 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:31:10 GMT

Hi,

Does anyone know what the variable moving average of the forum.dll plots in the undefined (N/A) also known as null area?

It seems to come up with a pretty good and defined(!) guess - but not just faster moving averages. I guess the original programmer would know that..? :)

ExtFml( "Forum.MOV",C, 200, e) -> during the first 200 periods?

Also - this function slows down the explorer incredibly. Is this a known problem..

Otherwise this function is amazing.. :)

Many thanks for any help,

-exito

Is it possible to read MetaStock Files using C# [RESOLVED]

daydreamsy2k — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 07:03:47 GMT

hi

Is it possible to read MetaStock Files using C# (EMASTER, F1.DAT, F2.DAT .... )

I want to build an application that read the Intraday stock data from the DMetaStock Files

Thanks

Deploying msx dlls

SMenday — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:03:05 GMT

Hi all

I have written an MSX dll in c++, it all works fine on my machine. I have tried to give a friend a copy using the self installing exe option, it doesn't seem to work. It copies all the indicators etc but not the dll. Placing a copy of the DLL manually in "External Function DLLS" doesn't work either, MS doesn't seem to be able to see it.

Any ideas as to why it isn't working?

Cheers

Stew

Help required

perfecttip — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:47:25 GMT

Is this possible ?
What I am looking for is automation of the stock picking process. Please allow me to discuss in detail the aspects I am looking for.

1. Camarilla levels shall be calculated as per the following equations :
H5 = (H/L)*C
H4 = [1.1*(H-L)/2]+C
H3 = [1.1*(H-L)/4]+C
H2 = [1.1*(H-L)/6]+C
H1 = [1.1*(H-L)/12]+C

L1 = C-[1.1*(H-L)/12]
L2 = C-[1.1*(H-L)/6]
L3 = C-[1.1*(H-L)/4]
L4 = C-[1.1*(H-L)/2]
L5 = C-(H5-C)

2.These levels must be used to develop a Custom Indicator, a Custom Exploration and a Custom Expert Advisor.
3.All of the above must take care of trading holidays even those which fall within the week.
4.Custom Indicator : An integrated indicator which will display the weekly and daily Camarilla levels when plotted on any chart irrespective of whether it is an RealTime intraday chart, a daily chart or a weekly chart with easily recognisable colour coding. Also a seperate indicator for monthly Camarilla levels.
5.Custom Exploration : Three seperate explorations (daily, weekly and monthly) to find out which stocks are trading near any of the Camarila levels.
6.Custom Expert Advisor : An advisor which when attached to a chart, whether its an RT intraday chart, a weekly chart or a monthly chart, alerts with a visual and audio alert when the stock trades near any of the Daily, Weekly or Monthly Camarilla levels.
7.Changes necessary in the coding if the numbers (2,4,6,12) in the equations are to me modified.
8.System tester.
9.Passowrd protection (of course should be know to me) for all of the above.

MS Not Reading DLL

underground — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:11:24 GMT

K question - I have created a working dll and custom indicators on my computer, everything works correctly.

I sent a copy of the dll and formulas to a friends to use. He has the same version of MS as I do. And this isnt the fist time we have done this swap. He has placed the dll in the correct sub folder and has imported my formulas into MS But for some reason MS is not picking up (reading the dll) it say it does not exist within the folder and when we look for it in the Indicator builder its not there.

So for some reason MS is not picking up the dll when he opens MS. Has anyone had this same problem as us? If so how did you correct it... Any suggestions?

visual c# 2008 MSFL

ArmyofTheLostToys — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:54:16 GMT

Hello People,

I am struggling to call the MSFL APIs from c#... any help would be much appreciated... I have done the following:

1. created a new class called MSFL and redefined all consts, enums and functions from the MSFL.h file. the functions redefined as follows:

[DllImport("MSFL91.dll", CallingConvention = CallingConvention.StdCall)]
public static extern int MSFL1_Initialize(string pszAppName, string pszUserName, int iInterfaceVersion);

2. if i execute the following logic:

int returnValue;
string string1 = "programName";
string string2 = "userName";
returnValue = MSFL.MSFL1_Initialize(string1, string2, MSFL.MSFL_DLL_INTERFACE_VERSION);

i get the following error:

An attempt was made to load a program with an incorrect format. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x8007000B)

System.BadImageFormatException was unhandled
Message="An attempt was made to load a program with an incorrect format. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x8007000B)"
Source="AotLT"
StackTrace:
       at metastock.MSFL.MSFL1_Initialize(String pszAppName, String pszUserName, Int32 iInterfaceVersion)
       at AotLT.Program.Main(String[] args) in C:\Users\bundle\Documents\Visual Studio 2008\Projects\CSharp\AotLT\AotLT\Program.cs:line 97
       at System.AppDomain._nExecuteAssembly(Assembly assembly, String[] args)
       at Microsoft.VisualStudio.HostingProcess.HostProc.RunUsersAssembly()
       at System.Threading.ExecutionContext.Run(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, Object state)
       at System.Threading.ThreadHelper.ThreadStart()
InnerException:

thanks in advance.

MSX DLL is reporting a floating point invalid operation....

snoopy — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:52:47 GMT

I am getting this error reported back from a DLL that I have written but only if the DLL is run outside the Borland IDE.

What are all of the possible causes of this error ??

regards
david

Hungarian Notation

DanielV — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:57:56 GMT

Is it possible to remove it?
I find it very distracting specially for a newcomer.

Thanks in advance,

Daniel

MetaStock 11 and compatibility with existing plugins

snoopy — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:21:58 GMT

Hello

Does anyone know if the new MetaStock 11 will be compatible with existing DLL plug-ins or will all of these have to be re-written and repurchased all over again ??

regards

MDK Need help in function parameter!

tengfei932 — Fri, 08 May 2009 05:13:15 GMT

Hi,

I need help in Metastock Developers Kit (MDK). I copied forum.dll and I try this code and it works:
prd:=PeakBars(1,C,5)-1;
data:=ExtFml("Forum20.Ref",C,prd);

But if I try to make my own code with my own function then it show error "This variable or expression must contain only constant data." for "prd" :
prd:=PeakBars(1,C,5)-1;
data:=ExtFml("MyCode.Ref",C,prd);

I try to make the function just like they have in the example CSampleDLL.cpp. But it still showing me same error. What mistake am I doing. Why my function only accept constant and not the calculate "prd".?

Please Please help. I am going mad solving this.

Thank You
Teng Fei

Request for simple example of MDK code that returns the CLOSE to MS Chart.

jhughey — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:16:55 GMT

Hello,

Being new to the use of MDK, I would like to better understand *how* the MDK uses code to create a DLL that will be used by the Metastock application.   I have seen the examples in the MDK User's Manual, which I am sure will be very helpful as I progress. I have also looked/searched in vain for simple MDK examples in this forum.

At this point, to free myself from a mental block, it would be very beneficial to me if I did not have to start off with a multi-paged, moving-average MDK C++ painting of a Rembrandt.   I simply want to learn how to put a dab of paint on the canvas.

For example, it would be very helpful to see an example that takes the charted security's data and returns the CLOSE to the MS chart.

Could someone *please* post a *complete* C/C++ example of MDK code that can be use to create such a DLL file.

Thanks for your help!

DLL Output Error or MS Internal Problem...

underground — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:14:01 GMT

Ok question I have created a DLL which outputs my functions values to a txt file. The Output function creates two txt files one called Entire (sends all the loaded bars from the chart) and another one called Update (just sends the closing bars value). The dll runs fine but over the course of the day the problem I'm finding is Metastock swaps the files sending the information to the wrong txt file. Im wondering is Metastock having a memory allocation problem when I overload the computer? And does anyone have a suggestion to correcting this issue?

Thanks for your help,

.net mixed mode MSX dll

PlainCityMan — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:27:10 GMT

Hi,

I made an attempt to write a .net mixed mode (managed and unmanaged/native) MSX dll. I wrote the exported functions in C++/CLI and the bulk of the indicator in C# with the C++/CLI functions calling static and non-static managed methods in static and instance classes written in C#. With the Microsoft SDK tools I compiled my C# code to a netmodule (csc.exe) and with a #using statement in the C++/CLI code to reference this netmodule, I compiled the C++/CLI code into a single file dll (cl). I followed the MSX guidelines as described in the MetaStock developers kit manual in writing the dll. After it was all said and done, it would not work in the MSXTest utility. So, I proceeded to investigate why it might not work and although I didn't look at ever single Forum entry for clues, I did find this statement, "The DLL needs to be a native win32 DLL with no runtime dependencies." in one forum entry which succiently summed it up well. Well, ok. But I'm really bullheaded and I want to know, WHY? Why won't MetaStock work with a DLL with runtime dependencies? I have native export functions so it seems that it should work.

I might speculate that it might have something to do with an intended or unintended loader lock issue but I really don't know.

Will anyone give me some idea as to WHY a mixed mode .net MSX dll won't work?

Does anyone know if this will be remedied in the next MetaStock version. I really hate to work in obsolete programming languages and would really like to write in Java or C# and not waste time in dead end clutzy languages.

Thanks.

PCM

MDK Installation Failures: EqCustUI.exe: No Commands processed.

jhughey — Sun, 10 May 2009 17:38:33 GMT

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:6.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} HOW DO I GET RID OF THIS FORMAT GARBAGE??? USED CUT-AND-PASTE

Could someone please explain what may possibly be wrong with my installation of MDK 9.1 in Windows Vista, and hopefully how to fix it. I plan to send Email to the usual channels, but the sales rep is not there until tomorrow.

After the third installation (details below) I tried executing the EqCustUI.exe and nothing happens except the message window below.

Equis User Interface Customization Utility v1.01

EqCustUI.exe: No Commands processed. Use /h for help.

Neither /h or PF1 do anything while the window is open. You click OK and the window goes away, but no application interface appears, so help is useless. Subsequent investigation from Windows Task Manager shows no Equis/Metastock/EqCustUI processes are executing.

Now I note that this beast has uninstalled my original Metastock 10.1 application!! It is no longer listed in the Control Panel “Uninstall Software” list, nor is the executable present in its usual directory. From the Control Panel Metastock Developers Kit is there. So now I can’t use Metastock, period. Brilliant!

Windows Vista Settings: I am using Windows Vista (64-bit), but I am running EqCustUI.exe in 32-bit compatibility mode for Windows XP (SP 2). Previously both Metastock 10.1 and its Downloader operated fine over the past year. From Windows properties of the entire Equis directory, my userid has complete control of all files. Vista’s User Account Control is turned off. Running as Administrator does not make any difference.

Installation Details: Here are the installation attempts:

First Time – Used the wrong key. Directions referred to the Key being on the back of the CD case, NOT the CD. The junk on the case did not even fit, but it installed anyway. Used Windows to uninstall.

Second Time – Found the correct Key on the CD and used it. However, since the application was not designed for any O/S higher than Windows XP, it was installed within the Vista 64 bit “C//Program Files”, not 32-bit-compatible Program Files (x86). Used Windows to uninstall.

Third Time – Correct key, and correct program directory. No messages of problems.

Installed Files Verified: From the manual, I verified all the installed files were present in the usual C:/PF(x86)/Equis directory. There are MSXTest.exe in Equis/MSX and EqCustUI.exe in Equis/UI/.

What is wrong here? How do I fix it, or is this ancient beast incompatible with Vista?

Indicator (and my code) called multiple times till value changes

sandeepy02 — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 21:25:33 GMT

Hi,
I am new to MDK and this may be a basic query. I wrote a simple program (which I called from an indicator through DLL) which tells me whether to buy or sell. The inout is a 5-minute data. But once I get a buy/sell signal, it keeps on calling DLL (nearly evry second) unless the indicatoor value changes.

I just want the value to come once for every change in indicator.

Is my understanding of metastock's functionalities is wrong or am i using it worngly?

Will post code if anyine inteested.

Cheers
SY

the copyright

mumin16 — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 09:30:10 GMT

what sale here?
the manual?
the utils(the header file,the library file ,the examples..) in cd?
can i use the Write-version which not to be the manual, cd?
can you accord the info about copyright ?

MSFL2_AdjustData

mumin16 — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:14:47 GMT

MSFL2_AdjustData(param1,param2,param3,param4);

this is corpse! you help me autopsy...

writing of another price data

mumin16 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:54:52 GMT

how avoid the writing of another price data over the one price data?
why happen this instance?

MSFL1_AddSecurity(pcDirNumber,&psSecurityInfo,0)

mumin16 — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:12:03 GMT

iDate = DateTime.Now.Year * 10000 + DateTime.Now.Month * 100 + DateTime.Now.Day;

ZeroMemory(&psSecurityInfo,sizeof psSecurityInfo);
psSecurityInfo.dwTotalSize=sizeof MSFLSecurityInfo_struct;
lstrcpy(&psSecurityInfo.szName,"first" );
lstrcpy(&psSecurityInfo.szSymbol,"FIRST");
psSecurityInfo.cPeriodicity= "I";//intraday
psSecurityInfo.wInterval=60;60 sec
psSecurityInfo.bFlagged=1;//Units decimal, true

psSecurityInfo.wDataAvailable= MSFL_DATA_DATE + MSFL_DATA_TIME + MSFL_DATA_OPEN + MSFL_DATA_HIGH + MSFL_DATA_LOW + MSFL_DATA_CLOSE + MSFL_DATA_VOLUME;

psSecurityInfo.lFirstDate]= iDate;
psSecurityInfo.lLastDate]=iDate;

MSFL1_AddSecurity(pcDirNumber,&psSecurityInfo,0);

error: Primary Security not found : why?

MSFL1_BuildMetaStockDirectory(pcDirNumber);

mumin16 — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:23:48 GMT

GetCurrentDirectory(MSFL_MAX_PATH,&pszDirectory);
MSFL1_OpenDirectory(&pszDirectory, &pcDirNumber,MSFL_DIR_FORCE_USER_IN);
if(error)
{
MSFL1_BuildMetaStockDirectory(pcDirNumber);// error: invalid function call //why?
};

Date in psDate strangeness

DrPain — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:26:36 GMT

I was noticing some strange values with dates in the MSXDataRec structure, so I plotted them to an indicator to see what was going on. The numbers seem to skip some days.

My platform is MetaStock Pro FX version 9.2
Data is $$EURUSD, 10 minutes

1/06/2009 20090106
1/07/2009 20090108
1/08/2009 20090108
1/09/2009 20090108
1/10/2009 (saturday, no data)
1/11/2009 20090112
1/12/2009 20090112
1/13/2009 20090112
1/14/2009 20090114
1/15/2009 20090116
1/16/2009 20090116
1/17/2009 (saturday, no data)
1/18/2009 20090118
1/19/2009 20090120
1/20/2009 20090120
1/21/2009 20090120
1/22/2009 20090122

I also checked the daily data the same way, with virtually the same results.

Any clue what's going on here? Is this a known problem?

Thanks,
Dave

Accessing data for one open security from within another

DrPain — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:45:44 GMT

Here's a question that may have to be answered by an Equis programmer (do they visit this forum?).

I'm trying to add a feature to Trade System Designer that will allow a System to access the data from a different security while it's running. For instance, you can have the "Euro 30 minute" security get the data from the "Euro Daily" security to do things like moving averages and such.

This works fine in my stand-alone application, using MSFL, but when I run the same code but use MSK to access the data instead, it crashes.

The first thing that comes to mind is a threading issue. Perhaps the data in one security is getting changed after the second security has started to access it? If this is the case, is there a way around this? Perhaps using some mutexes (that would of course already have to exist in MetaStock)?

Has this been done before by anyone else? Can it be done?

MDK ver 1 compatibility issues with MS 10.1?

masterdata — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:18:41 GMT

I am still using version 1 of the MDK because it has worked reliably over the years. Now I am troubleshooting a new issue with a user of the plug-in running MetaStock 10.1. I am just trying to eliminate possibilities. Are there any compatibilty issues that anyone is aware of between a plug-in using this older version of the MDk and MetaStock 10.1???

I appreciate any feedback here.

Best,

L.P. Carhartt