How to tell if the script is being run via MSB vs SSB?

ss161

#1

3/30/2009 10:54 AM

1. Is there a way to tell within a script whether or not the script is being run via MSB vs SSB?

for now i'm doing this, but if i click on the first symbol instead of the entire DataSource this logic will assume I'm running it in MSB mode even though it is in SSB mode.

2. is it possible to have a script pop-up a dialogue box or a system console and ask for input? i put this line in the code, but it didn't work:

thanks

Eugene

#2

3/30/2009 11:22 AM

For now you can simply use InputBox this way:

MSDN
By the way I just noticed it's on our FAQ.

System.Console isn't practical in WealthScript but if you want to know how to make some use of it, click here:
Activate System.Console.writeline in WL5

ss161

#3

3/30/2009 12:05 PM

thanks. that's very useful for me!

Eugene

#4

3/30/2009 12:41 PM

This might help finding whether the strategy is being run in MSB vs SSB:

ss161

#5

3/31/2009 10:30 PM

Eugene, Thanks for this second part as well. It works when I'm running the strategy but when I'm debugging a strategy via SharpDevelop it crashes. I've been hardcoding the response I want while debugging and then turning this back on when I'm running the strategy for real. if you happen to think about another alternative method to determine the "mode" of how a strategy is running, that would be great. But, it is usable as it's coded.

Eugene

#6

4/1/2009 2:42 AM

Sorry Steve, this is the only idea on my mind. Probably the crash has somehow to do with the usage of System.Reflection (?)

I don't have either SD 2.2 or 3.0 installed since I was disappointed by being unable to make any use of the attach-to-process feature in 3.0, but maybe I'll take a look how it goes in Visual Studio Express.

ss161

#7

4/1/2009 5:38 AM

fwiw SD v3.1 has been stable for me and it allows the "attach to process".

Eugene

#8

4/1/2009 7:23 AM

Didn't know about the 3.1 nightly build. Perhaps will try out someday.

ss161

#9

11/10/2009 9:27 AM

I noticed in another post the use of

from community components to tell whether a portfolio simulation or raw profit run was in progress. I'd also suggest a version of the above code that doesn't rely on System.Reflection if possible for

and

.

The system.reflection code works fine when using compiled code, but doesn't work when using code through one of the debuggers.

This is how I have adapted your code:

Eugene

#10

11/10/2009 9:57 AM

Using System.Reflection was the only way for this hack to happen. There's no native API call, but perhaps a good idea would be to ask Fidelity for these methods to be available in pure WealthScript.

ss161

#11

12/16/2009 12:22 PM

is it possible / likely that this is now broken in 5.6?

in this block of code:

this line:

returns null. as a result, the p.GetValue always fails.

thanks for the help.

Eugene

#12

12/16/2009 12:49 PM

The code above from 3/30/2009 12:41 PM that introduced GetSymbolNameOfActiveChart works for me in WLD 5.6, correctly telling MSB from SSB.

Note: it should not work in Strategy Monitor, like any similar hack based on usage of System.Reflection (GetDataSetName etc.)

ss161

#13

12/16/2009 1:01 PM

i don't use strategy monitor.

thanks for looking. i pasted the code above into a new blank strategy. here it is:

when i run the strategy i get a run-time error:

also, when debugging (in separate code, not the above) i looped through the main form controls and properties and dumped the properties and values into excel. here they are:

Size:

Color:

i don't use strategy monitor.

thanks for looking.  i pasted the code above into a new blank strategy.  here it is:
[CODE]using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Text;
using System.Drawing;
using WealthLab;
using WealthLab.Indicators;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Reflection;

namespace WealthLab.Strategies
{
	public class MyStrategy : WealthScript
{
	protected override void Execute()
	{
			WLReflection r = new WLReflection();
						
		//Get current symbol name of active chart
		if(r.GetSymbolNameOfActiveChart().Length > 0 )
			PrintDebug( "SSB" );
		else
			PrintDebug( "MSB" );
	}
}

class WLReflection
{
	private Form _mainForm;
	public Form MainForm
	{
		get {return _mainForm;}
	}

private Type _mainFormType;
	public Type MainFormType
	{
		get {return _mainFormType;}        
	}
               
	private void FindMainForm()
	{
		foreach(Form f in Application.OpenForms)
		{
			if (f.Name == "MainForm") 
			{
				_mainForm = f;
				_mainFormType = f.GetType();
				break;
			}
		}
	}

//ctor
	public WLReflection()
	{
		FindMainForm();
	}

//Returns current symbol name
	public string GetSymbolNameOfActiveChart()
	{
		PropertyInfo p = _mainFormType.GetProperty("Symbol");
		string ds  = (string)p.GetValue(_mainForm, null);
		return ds;
	}
}
}[/CODE]

when i run the strategy i get a run-time error:
[IMG]http://files.iclippy.com/29405/12468858336.jpg[/IMG]

also, when debugging (in separate code, not the above) i looped through the main form controls and properties and dumped the properties and values into excel.  here they are:
[CODE]MainForm:dj	
Controlls	GetValue( f, null );
System.Windows.Forms.IButtonControl AcceptButton	System.Windows.Forms.Button, Text: Go
System.Windows.Forms.Form ActiveMdiChild	WealthLabPro.ChartForm, Text: Strategy: MB32V4
Boolean AllowTransparency	FALSE
Boolean AutoScale	FALSE
System.Drawing.Size AutoScaleBaseSize	{Width=5, Height=13}
Boolean AutoScroll	FALSE
Boolean AutoSize	FALSE
System.Windows.Forms.AutoSizeMode AutoSizeMode	GrowOnly
System.Windows.Forms.AutoValidate AutoValidate	EnablePreventFocusChange
System.Drawing.Color BackColor	Color [Control]
System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle FormBorderStyle	Sizable
System.Windows.Forms.IButtonControl CancelButton	
System.Drawing.Size ClientSize	{Width=1664, Height=832}
Boolean ControlBox	TRUE
System.Drawing.Rectangle DesktopBounds	{X=0,Y=0,Width=1680,Height=868}
System.Drawing.Point DesktopLocation	{X=0,Y=0}
System.Windows.Forms.DialogResult DialogResult	None
Boolean HelpButton	FALSE
System.Drawing.Icon Icon	(Icon)
Boolean IsMdiChild	FALSE
Boolean IsMdiContainer	TRUE
Boolean IsRestrictedWindow	FALSE
Boolean KeyPreview	TRUE
System.Drawing.Point Location	{X=0,Y=0}
System.Drawing.Size MaximumSize	{Width=0, Height=0}
System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip MainMenuStrip	System.Windows.Forms.MenuStrip, Name: menuMain, Items: 7
System.Windows.Forms.Padding Margin	{Left=3,Top=3,Right=3,Bottom=3}
System.Windows.Forms.MainMenu Menu	
System.Drawing.Size MinimumSize	{Width=320, Height=180}
Boolean MaximizeBox	TRUE
System.Windows.Forms.Form[] MdiChildren	System.Windows.Forms.Form[]
System.Windows.Forms.Form MdiParent	
System.Windows.Forms.MainMenu MergedMenu	
Boolean MinimizeBox	TRUE
Boolean Modal	FALSE
Double Opacity	1
System.Windows.Forms.Form[] OwnedForms	System.Windows.Forms.Form[]
System.Windows.Forms.Form Owner	
System.Drawing.Rectangle RestoreBounds	{X=0,Y=0,Width=1680,Height=868}
Boolean RightToLeftLayout	FALSE
Boolean ShowInTaskbar	TRUE
Boolean ShowIcon	TRUE
System.Drawing.Size Size	{Width=1680, Height=868}
System.Windows.Forms.SizeGripStyle SizeGripStyle	Auto
System.Windows.Forms.FormStartPosition StartPosition	Manual
Int32 TabIndex	0
Boolean TabStop	TRUE
System.String Text	Fidelity Wealth-Lab Pro® 5.6
Boolean TopLevel	TRUE
Boolean TopMost	FALSE
System.Drawing.Color TransparencyKey	Color [Empty]
System.Windows.Forms.FormWindowState WindowState	Normal
System.Drawing.SizeF AutoScaleDimensions	{Width=6, Height=13}
System.Windows.Forms.AutoScaleMode AutoScaleMode	Font
System.Windows.Forms.BindingContext BindingContext	System.Windows.Forms.BindingContext
System.Windows.Forms.Control ActiveControl	WealthLab.DataSourceTreeView, Nodes.Count: 51, Nodes[0]: TreeNode: BILL
System.Drawing.SizeF CurrentAutoScaleDimensions	{Width=6, Height=13}
System.Windows.Forms.Form ParentForm	
System.Drawing.Size AutoScrollMargin	{Width=0, Height=0}
System.Drawing.Point AutoScrollPosition	{X=0,Y=0}
System.Drawing.Size AutoScrollMinSize	{Width=0, Height=0}
System.Drawing.Rectangle DisplayRectangle	{X=0,Y=0,Width=1664,Height=832}
System.Windows.Forms.HScrollProperties HorizontalScroll	System.Windows.Forms.HScrollProperties
System.Windows.Forms.VScrollProperties VerticalScroll	System.Windows.Forms.VScrollProperties
DockPaddingEdges DockPadding	
System.Windows.Forms.AccessibleObject AccessibilityObject	ControlAccessibleObject: Owner = dj, Text: Fidelity Wealth-Lab Pro® 5.6
System.String AccessibleDefaultActionDescription	
System.String AccessibleDescription	
System.String AccessibleName	
System.Windows.Forms.AccessibleRole AccessibleRole	Default
Boolean AllowDrop	FALSE
System.Windows.Forms.AnchorStyles Anchor	Top, Left
System.Drawing.Point AutoScrollOffset	{X=0,Y=0}
System.Windows.Forms.Layout.LayoutEngine LayoutEngine	System.Windows.Forms.Layout.DefaultLayout
System.Drawing.Image BackgroundImage	
System.Windows.Forms.ImageLayout BackgroundImageLayout	Tile
Int32 Bottom	868
System.Drawing.Rectangle Bounds	{X=0,Y=0,Width=1680,Height=868}
Boolean CanFocus	TRUE
Boolean CanSelect	TRUE
Boolean Capture	FALSE
Boolean CausesValidation	TRUE
System.Drawing.Rectangle ClientRectangle	{X=0,Y=0,Width=1664,Height=832}
System.String CompanyName	Fidelity Investments
Boolean ContainsFocus	FALSE
System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenu ContextMenu	
System.Windows.Forms.ContextMenuStrip ContextMenuStrip	
ControlCollection Controls	System.Windows.Forms.Form+ControlCollection
Boolean Created	TRUE
System.Windows.Forms.Cursor Cursor	[Cursor: Default]
System.Windows.Forms.ControlBindingsCollection DataBindings	System.Windows.Forms.ControlBindingsCollection
Boolean IsDisposed	FALSE
Boolean Disposing	FALSE
System.Windows.Forms.DockStyle Dock	None
Boolean Enabled	TRUE
Boolean Focused	FALSE
System.Drawing.Font Font	[Font: Name=Microsoft Sans Serif, Size=8.25, Units=3, GdiCharSet=0, GdiVerticalFont=False]
System.Drawing.Color ForeColor	Color [ControlText]
IntPtr Handle	1706010
Boolean HasChildren	TRUE
Int32 Height	868
Boolean IsHandleCreated	TRUE
Boolean InvokeRequired	TRUE
Boolean IsAccessible	FALSE
Boolean IsMirrored	FALSE
Int32 Left	0
System.String Name	MainForm
System.Windows.Forms.Control Parent	
System.String ProductName	WealthLabPro
System.String ProductVersion	1.0.0.0
Boolean RecreatingHandle	FALSE
System.Drawing.Region Region	
Int32 Right	1680
System.Windows.Forms.RightToLeft RightToLeft	No
System.ComponentModel.ISite Site	
System.Object Tag	
Int32 Top	0
System.Windows.Forms.Control TopLevelControl	dj, Text: Fidelity Wealth-Lab Pro® 5.6
Boolean UseWaitCursor	FALSE
Boolean Visible	TRUE
Int32 Width	1680
System.Windows.Forms.IWindowTarget WindowTarget	System.Windows.Forms.Control+ControlNativeWindow
System.Drawing.Size PreferredSize	{Width=325, Height=180}
System.Windows.Forms.Padding Padding	{Left=0,Top=0,Right=0,Bottom=0}
System.Windows.Forms.ImeMode ImeMode	NoControl
System.ComponentModel.IContainer Container	
[/CODE]

Eugene

#14

12/16/2009 1:07 PM

Wow, let us think of it. In WLD 5.6.20, the code runs absolutely fine and in WLP 5.6.20, I get the same error as you.

Probably, obfuscation.

ss161

#15

12/16/2009 7:16 PM

I've made some progress, What's pasted below works, but potentially if only one strategy window is open. i'm not sure what would happen with multiple charts / strategies open. Also, I don't really know all that's going on in the internals, so if there's a better way, please comment.

Having said that, I discovered that the ChartForm contains a boolean Control labeled "MultiSymbolMode" which tells me exactly what I am looking for. I strongly believe this field, which clearly exists and is valid, should be somehow exposed in a higher level WealthScript object or at the "System" level (as is IsStreaming).

Again, I think there will be an issue with multiple strategies open, so if there's a way to know i'm finding the chart for the currently running strategy, that would be good.

Eugene

#16

12/17/2009 12:52 AM

Nice find. Yes, I can confirm it prints out "SSB" when multiple Strategy windows are open. The MultiSymbolMode property is probably a later addition, but seems to be global in its application, so we can't use it for reliable detection of the mode.

I'll be looking today as to why does GetSymbolNameOfActiveChart work in WLD5.6 and fail in WLP5.6. Like Robert suggested, this might be an obfuscation-related question.

btw, we've already submitted an idea to the developers to include this kind of properties (GetDataSetName etc.) in WealthScript natively.

Eugene

#17

12/17/2009 1:09 AM

And the answer is: unlike WLD 5.6.20, the MainForm class is obfuscated in WLP 5.6.20, that's its Symbol property has become invisible.

Strangely, substituting "MainForm" with "ChartForm" didn't work.

ss161

#18

12/17/2009 6:33 AM

this seems to work with multiple strategies open. not sure it will always work though.

Size:

Color:

this seems to work with multiple strategies open.  not sure it will always work though.
[CODE]using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Text;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Reflection;
using WealthLab;
using WealthLab.Indicators;

namespace WealthLab.Strategies
{
	public class MyStrategy : WealthScript
	{
		protected override void Execute() {
			
			WLReflection r = new WLReflection( this );
			if ( r.Mode == "MSB" ) { PrintDebug( "MSB" ); } else { PrintDebug( "SSB" ); }
//			PrintProperties( "ChartForm" );
			
		}
	}
	public class WLReflection {

private	WealthScript	ws;
		public	string			Mode;
		
		public WLReflection( WealthScript _ws ) {

ws						= _ws;
			bool	MultiSymbolMode = false;
			string	StrategyName	= ws.StrategyName;
			string	Symbol			= ws.Bars.Symbol;
			
			Form	ChartForm = FindForm( "ChartForm", ws );
			if ( ChartForm != null ) {
				PropertyInfo pi	= GetControl( ChartForm, "MultiSymbolMode" );
				MultiSymbolMode = (bool)pi.GetValue( ChartForm, null );
			}
			
			
			Mode = MultiSymbolMode ? "MSB" : "SSB";
		}

private PropertyInfo GetControl( Form f, string ControlName ) {

PropertyInfo pi = null;
			
			Type t = f.GetType();
			pi = t.GetProperty( ControlName );
			return pi;
		}
		
		private Form FindForm( string FormName, WealthScript ws ) {
		
			Form cf = null;
			foreach(Form f in Application.OpenForms) {
				if ( f.Name == FormName ) {
					Type t = f.GetType();
					
					PropertyInfo	pi		= t.GetProperty( "WealthScript" );
					WealthScript	ws1		= (WealthScript)pi.GetValue( f, null );
					
					pi						= t.GetProperty( "IsBusy" );
					bool			isbusy	= (bool)pi.GetValue( f, null );
					
					//ws.PrintDebug( ws1.StrategyName + ":" + sym + ":" + isbusy.ToString() + "|" + ws.StrategyName + ":" + ws.Bars.Symbol );
					
					if (( ws1.StrategyName == ws.StrategyName ) &&
						( isbusy ) ) {
						cf = f;
						break;
					}
				}
			}
			return cf;
		}
		
		private void PrintProperties( string FormName ) {
			string tab = "\t";
			
			Form f = null;
			foreach(Form o in Application.OpenForms) {
				if ( o.Name == FormName ) {				
					f = o;
					
					ws.PrintDebug( f.Name + "-------------------------------" );
					Type t = f.GetType();
					PropertyInfo[] spi = t.GetProperties();
					for ( int i = 0; i < spi.Length; i++ ) {
						string line = spi[i].Name + tab + spi[i].ToString() + tab;
						string l2 = null;
						try { l2 = spi[i].GetValue( f, null ).ToString();	}
						catch (Exception) { l2 = ""; }
						ws.PrintDebug( line + l2 );
					}
				}
			}
		}	
	}
}[/CODE]

Eugene

#19

12/17/2009 7:02 AM

Really good. That "IsBusy" trick is creative.

btw, is there a practical reason to tell MSB from SSB?

ss161

#20

12/17/2009 7:43 AM

in my opinion, there are many practical reasons.

here's two code fragments showing how many of my programs start:

Size:

Color:

in my opinion, there are many practical reasons.

here's two code fragments showing how many of my programs start:
[CODE]
// --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//
//  Here, create a file at the beginning of a script's running and generate a portfolio level dataseries
//  that will be the same for each name in the dataseries, so only do it once
//
//  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WLReflection r  = new WLReflection();
			string Mode = r.Mode;                  //returns either "MSB" or "SSB"(MultiSymbolBacktest or SingleSystemBacktest)
			if ( ( Mode == "SSB" ) || ( Mode == "MSB" && Bars.Symbol == DataSetSymbols[ 0 ] ) ) {

tradeFn = tradePath + "MB3-2--" + DateTime.Now.ToString("yyyy-MM-dd.HHmm") + ".TXT";
				SetGlobal( "FN", tradeFn );
				pZ  = pf.PortfolioPCT( "Z", EMMENTRY, CUMDOWNENTRY, "<", -1.5 );
				SetGlobal( "PZ", pZ );
			} else {
				tradeFn	= (string) GetGlobal( "FN" );
				pZ = (DataSeries) GetGlobal( "PZ" );
			}     . . .

// -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//
//  in this case, this is a symbol rotation script that can only run in "SSB"
//
//  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
			WealthLabUtilities u = new WealthLabUtilities( this );
			WLReflection r 	= new WLReflection();
			string Mode		= r.Mode;

if (Mode == "SSB") {

DateTime dt 	= DateTime.Today;
				string bmrkdsn	= "SPY CORRELATED NAMES";
				benchmark_ua	= GetExternalSymbol( bmrkdsn, bmrkSym, true );

...

} else {  //  ERROR CANT BE RUN IN MSB   ...

[/CODE]

Eugene

#21

12/17/2009 7:50 AM

Thank you.

LenMoz

#22

10/18/2014 4:58 PM

Both the method in this thread (giving Object reference not set) and the method in the Wiki (giving Illegal cross-thread operation) fail for my WLP release 6.7.18.0. Any suggestions? This is related to a Particle Swarm Optimizer enhancement request.

Eugene

#23

10/18/2014 5:40 PM

This is caused by a decision to obfuscate the code committed by Fidelity. Sorry.

kribel

#24

4/15/2015 9:21 AM

Hello All!

I am using the code from post #18 and experiencing the following problem.

Problem:
Running in optimization mode on a full dataset I get the information that the strategy is running in SSB mode.

Any ideas why?

Another question:
Is there a way to determine that the strategy is being optimized?

Many thanks
Konstantin

Eugene

#25

4/15/2015 10:32 AM

Hi Konstantin,

Please see my reply in post #23.

You can determine that the Strategy is not being operated in Strategy window (see QuickRef, ChartPane Object > IsPricePane Property or Cosmetic Chart > ChartStyle Property). Running under optimizer is identical in this sense to running under the Strategy Monitor.

Eugene

#26

9/1/2017 9:17 AM

ATTENTION: Community Components has a new GetMode function since v2017.09. It supersedes the Wiki article and related forum conversations. Thanks vladl2015 for the code.

GetMode