Modify Function Definition Dialog: Properties
Modify Entry/Exit System Dialog: Properties
Modify Alert Definition Dialog: Properties
Modify Trading Solution Dialog: Properties
This dialog appears in several forms to allow you to modify existing function definitions, entry/exit systems, alerts, and trading solutions. The Properties page allows you to specify the name, group, description, and locking of a definition.
& For help with function definitions, see Calculating Values and Financial Indicators.
& For help with entry/exit systems, see Creating and Analyzing Entry/Exit Signals.
& For help with alerts, see Working with Messages and Alerts.
& For help with trading solutions, see Working with Complete Trading Solutions.
Selecting a Name for the Definition
Function definitions, entry/exit systems, alerts, and trading solutions (collectively called definitions) are all identified by unique names that are used for displaying them in selection lists. Function definition names and entry/exit system names are also used to generate field names created with those definitions. In addition, function definitions have a short name that is an abbreviated version of the display name to use in formula definitions.
All names must be unique to all function definitions, entry/exit systems, alerts, and trading solutions. However, the display and short names for a function can be equal to each other.
It is a good idea to be as descriptive as possible when naming definitions. Naming a function "Dan’s Function" with a formula name of "Dan" may remind you of where the function came from, but it won’t help you remember what the function does or when you would want to use it. More useful names might be "Double Moving Average" or "Price Smoothing Function".
Moving the Definition to a Different Group
To move a definition to a different group, use the combo box to select the new group. Definitions can also be moved to new groups from the definition selection dialog used to reach this dialog.
Protecting the Definition from Changes
To protect a definition from unintentional changes, select the Protect from changes and deletion checkbox. This option disables the modifiable values in this dialog and disables the Delete button on the selection dialog.
Ä Note: While this option is on, the other settings on the pages of this dialog cannot be modified.
Ä Note: Definitions that come with the product are permanently locked and cannot be changed.
Entering a Description for the Definition
The description for a definition can be useful as a reminder of what a definition does or when you would want to use it. Descriptions appear at the bottom of selection lists when the Display Descriptions option is selected. It is not necessary to have a description, just helpful. It is a good idea to limit descriptions to three lines of text. If additional description information is needed, it can be entered on the Notes page.
For function definitions, you can select the Display the formula instead of a description checkbox. This option will replace the description with the formula on the formula entry page.
Copying Other Function Definitions or Entry/Exit Systems
If you would like to replace the formula, description, and/or notes of a function definition with those of another definition, press the Copy another Function Definition… button. This will display the Copy Function Definition Dialog where you can specify which definition what elements to copy.
Similar options are also available for entry/exit systems and alerts. For entry/exit systems, press the Copy another Entry/Exit System… button to display the Copy Entry/Exit System Dialog. For alerts, press the Copy another Alert… button to display the Copy Alert Dialog.
What Do I Do Next?
When you are finished making any changes, press the OK button to save your changes or select another property page. If you would like to exit from this dialog without saving any changes, press the Cancel button.
Additional Property Pages
These dialogs have the following property pages.
This page allows you to specify the name, group, and basic description of this definition.
0 Formula
This page allows you to modify the formula associated with the function. It is only available for function definitions.
This page allows you to modify the entry/exit rules associated with the entry/exit system. It is only available for entry/exit systems.
0 Rules
This page allows you to modify the rules associated with an alert. It is only available for alerts.
0 Message
This page allows you to modify the message associated with an alert. It is only available for alerts.
This page allows you to select a new source field for a trading solution. It can also be used to update a trading solution to match changes in the current source field. It is only available for trading solutions.
This page allows you to specify the external DLL file to use for a function or entry/exit system.
0 Inputs
This page allows you to edit and reorder the inputs for this definition.
0 Notes
This page allows you to enter notes associated with this definition.
& For help using property pages, see the help for Property Pages.
How Did I Get Here?
The Modify Function Definition Dialog is displayed when you press the Edit… button on the Define Functions Dialog from under the Function Definitions list.
The Modify Entry/Exit System Dialog is displayed when you press the Edit… button on the Define Entry/Exit Systems Dialog from under the Entry/Exit Systems list.
The Modify Alert Dialog is displayed when you press the Edit… button on the Define Alerts Dialog from under the Alerts list.
The Modify Trading Solution Dialog is displayed when you press the Edit… button on the Define Trading Solutions Dialog from under the Trading Solutions list.