Webinar: Learning How to Write NinjaTrader Indicators and Strategies NinjaLaunchPad.com [email protected] Scott Daggett presenting Topic Outline 2  What knowledge is required?  Minimal C#.NET language and .NET framework  Intro to the NinjaScript code editor  Knowledge needed to write NinjaTrader indicators  Knowledge needed to write NinjaTrader strategies  How to obtain the needed knowledge and experience 10/9/2012 What Knowledge is Required? 3  Trading/Trading Platform  Technical Analysis; price and volume concepts  Charting/Chart types (bar, candle, range; tick, time, volume, etc.)  Indicators—what they are, how they are used  Automation strategy concepts—if you’re programming them  Trade execution and mgmt concepts (for auto. strategies)  Order  types, Time in Force, bracket orders, etc. NinjaTrader trading platform  C#.NET Programming with some .NET Framework  NinjaScript (environment, classes, methods, etc.)  Debugging and testing concepts and methods 10/9/2012 C#.NET Language & Framework References 4  C#.NET Language (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/default.aspx)  MSDN Library > Development Tools and Languages > Visual Studio.NET > Visual Basic and Visual C# > Reference > Visual C# Language > C# Language Tour  > C# Programmer’s Reference  See C# book recommendations at: http://ninjalaunchpad.com/references  .NET Framework (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/default.aspx)  MSDN Library > .NET Development > .NET Framework 3.5  (Check  your version of NT for supported framework version) See C# book references 10/9/2012 Minimal C#.NET Language 5  Object oriented programming principles as implemented in C#.NET  Objects and classes, inheritance, polymorphism, scope, properties, constructors, destructors, namespaces, etc.  C# language constructs  Variables, variable types, flow-of-control (if-then-else; switch; loops), logical operators, try-catch-finally blocks, exceptions, structs, enums, functions/methods, using statements, etc.  Event-driven, multi-threaded programming (typical in a graphical user interface; includes market datadriven events) 10/9/2012 Minimal C#.NET Framework 6 You DON’T need to know it all! 10/9/2012 Minimal C#.NET Framework 7  Key Namespaces & Classes      System  Array, {data type related, like Boolean}, DateTime, TimeSpan, Enum, Environment, EventArgs, Exception, Math, String System.Collections & System.Collections.Generic  ArrayList, HashTable, IEnumerable, Dictionary, HashSet, List, Queue, Stack  (Also the XXXSeries classes in NinjaTrader, like DataSeries) System.IO  Directory, File, Path System.Windows.Forms  MessageBox System.Drawing  Font 10/9/2012 Intro to the NinjaScript Code Editor 8  Control Center > Tools > New/Edit NinjaScript > Indicator…/Strategy…  New Indicator/Strategy Wizards  For starting afresh  NinjaScript Editor     Color coding Use of regions Tool bar features:  Find & Replace  Compile  Outdent / Indent  Comment / Uncomment Intellisense / Code Completion 10/9/2012 Knowledge Needed for NinjaTrader Indicators 9  Creating Indicators —Wizard > Modify Code  Key Concept - Where's the Data?  User Settings (Properties)  Making Sure Data is There Before You Use It  Input Series and the Input Keyword  Value Series and the Value and Values Keywords  Drawing Text and Images on a Chart  Creating Custom Methods and External Assemblies (optional)  Multiple Timeframes and Multiple Instruments 10/9/2012 Knowledge Needed for NinjaTrader Strategies 10  Everything Needed for Indicators PLUS:  NinjaTrader’s Trade Management Options for Automation Strategies  Managed (easiest; best for newbies)  Advanced Managed (still easy, but more flexible w/greater control)  Advanced Trade Management (ATM) Strategies (give the strategy user the most automated control over position management)  Unmanaged (for the masochists among us)  Operational Characteristics of Automation Strategies  Various configuration settings and how they impact working strategies  Impact of characteristics on design (no fill-or-kill option, for example, but partial fill is handled for you)  More Advanced Debugging and Testing Skills 10/9/2012 How to Obtain the Needed Knowledge 11  C# and .NET Framework  References already provided on slide 4 (MSDN and books)  UDemy.com and other video-based instruction sites  NinjaScript Programming  NinjaTrader’s Help file and Support forum  NinjaScript Programmer’s Launch Pad eBook  Big Mike’s trading forum, NinjaTrader Programming section  NinjaScript training services (do a web search)  Trading  See ninjalaunchpad.com/references .html for my opinion 10/9/2012 Special Offer: FREE EBook! 12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Go to www.ninjalaunchpad.com and if you liked this webinar and the information on the site, Like it in Facebook and +1 in Google Plus (buttons provided on the site). Follow ninjalaunchpad on Twitter for future announcements, if you wish; there’s a link on the site for that. Send an email TODAY to [email protected] with “October 2012 NinjaTrader Webinar FREE eBook offer” in the subject line. (Request this presentation file if you want it, too.) You must send the email today. When you get the return email, follow the link to Smashwords.com and use the provided coupon to get the NinjaScript Programmer’s Launch Pad eBook for FREE! Coupon expires in a few days. Your free book includes free upgrades to all future editions. You will also receive notices of future educational products and services from me. Learn to write your own NinjaTrader Indicators and Strategies! Thank You! 10/9/2012