[MAS-discuss] A Comment and a Question

[Chris T. <num...@ya...>]

Hi everyone,

Just started using MAS a couple weeks ago and I think
it's excellent. However, in that time there are a
couple things I have noticed that I would like help
on.

First, I've noticed that there is an issue with the
addition of new indicators and the ability to graph
them in 1.6.6g for Windows(Other versions of 1.6.6g
are seemingly unaffected. I must admit that I did not
test 1.6.5, so it might exist there as well). 

If I create a new indicator for 1.6.6g under Windows,
I am unable to graph them. Using the CLI, I can see
that the indicator is added successfully and outputs
the correct data, but I am unable to graph it. I have
double-checked that the format of the .ma_client.rc is
correct. I can add an indicator that originally came
with MAS 1.6.6g and graph it with no problems. 

It is possible that the server is chomping the
Indicator Name and no longer corresponds to the name
originally given. An easy way to test this is to
create an indicator and give it any name. Now, create
another indicator as a One_Variable_Function and
attempt to use the indicator you originally created as
it's input function. I've noticed that the indicator
name for the indicator you originally created is
correct in the list of Indicators to add, but when you
select it, the indicator name gets chomped. This does
not happen to indicators that came with MAS.

As an example of the above if it is too confusing:

I am attempting to add an indicator called Testing. It
takes input from an indicator I created called
Bollinger Squeeze Percentage.
(Note: Also notice that the indicator Testing seems to
have a line feed at the end of the indicator name)

-------------------------------------------------
Choose a name for root function that does not match
any of the
above names: Testing
's (ONE_VARIABLE_FUNCTION) input function
1) Simple Moving Average
.
.
.
36) Parabolic SAR
37) Bollinger Band Difference
38) Bollinger Squeeze Percentage
39) No Input Function
38
? (y/n) ollinger Squeeze Percentage
---------------------------------------------------



Same example, except using Parabolic SAR:
---------------------------------------------------
34) Upper Bollinger Band
35) Lower Bollinger Band
36) Parabolic SAR
37) Bollinger Band Difference
38) Bollinger Squeeze Percentage
39) No Input Function
36
Select Parabolic SAR? (y/n)
---------------------------------------------------

Again, this seems to be Windows only.

I also have a question about LINEAR SUM. I am having
problems with this function. This problem exists in
both 1.6.5 and 1.6.6g so it is likely something I'm
doing wrong.

I'm guessing that the function LINEAR SUM is a sum of
a value over the last n-periods. So, let's assume that
I want to find the total sum of volume over the last
10 periods. I have been doing the following:

N-RECORD ONE VARIABLE FUNCTION
(No Input Function)
|
|
LINEAR SUM(Integer Value for n-value = 10)
(No Input Function)
|
|
VOLUME

With a value of 10 for the n-value N-RECORD's ONE
VARIABLE FUNCTION

However, when I attempt to view the results for this 
indicator of a stock, MAS core dumps.

I would appreciate any help anyone has on this. Is it
something I'm doing incorrectly? Am I incorrect in
assuming that LINEAR_SUM creates a sum of a value over
the last n-periods? Is there another way to do what I
want to do that I'm missing?

The only other way I can think of at the moment to do
the the above is creating an indicator with ten
addition operations and with corresponding
SETTABLE_OFFSET_COMMANDS. However, I'd rather not do
something like this as it is very inefficent. :)

Thanks for your help,
CT

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