Does a variable in a function hold value between bars?

January 13th, 2024, 03:24 PM

So I'm looking at the code for the Parabolic SAR that is included with MC. Here's my question...

I've been typically carrying values from the main strat to the functions, but here, this is the function that is within the indicator. And they declared VARIABLES for High and Low points. My original thinking was that the function gets called every bar and that the value would default again to zero in this case. But I'm starting to question this?

Does the function hold values after it runs through it's code until it's called again? Thanks for the help.

Code

inputs: 
	AfStep(numericsimple),     AfLimit(numericsimple),    
        oParCl(numericref),           oParOp(numericref), 
        oPosition(numericref);                                                      

variables: 
	var0( 0 ),   var1( 0 );

if High > var0 then var0 = High ;
				                                        
if Low  < var1 then var1 = Low ;

ABCTG · January 15th, 2024, 03:53 AM

Sinatra Fan,

the easiest way to find out for sure is likely to add a few print statements to the code and find out exactly what is going on with the variables within the code.

Regards,

ABCTG

January 20th, 2024, 04:08 PM

Hello ABCTG
In the code you provided, the variables var0 and var1 are declared as local variables within the scope of the function. Local variables are created and initialized each time the function is called, and their values are not retained between function calls.

In this specific code snippet, var0 is used to track the highest value of High encountered so far, and var1 is used to track the lowest value of Low encountered so far. As the function is called on each bar, these variables are updated based on the current High and Low values.

When the function is called again on the next bar, the variables var0 and var1 will be reinitialized to zero, and the process of tracking the highest High and lowest Low values will start anew.

So, in summary, the values of var0 and var1 do not persist between function calls. They are local variables that are reinitialized each time the function is executed.Hope this answers you question. Take Care!

Does a variable in a function hold value between bars?

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Does a variable in a function hold value between bars?