In order to use DLPAL to search for strategies you need to specify the following on a search workspace:
1. A data file of the price history to use in the search for strategies. The file must have appropriate format and length.
2. The minimum performance of the strategies and risk/reward objectives to apply.
The software setup includes sample historical daily and intraday data files in compatible format. These files are located in the DATA sub-directory of the program.
Sample search workspaces are also included in the MYWORK sub-directory. You may open the workspaces and view the parameters specified in them. Results are also included. in RESULTS sub-directory.
The following two steps are required in order to run a search for strategies.
1. Create a T/S file
This file contains the profit target and stop-loss values to be applied to the search. Each line in a T/S file corresponds to a pair of profit target and stop-loss values used in the back-testing of strategies for determining historical performance. The values in a T/S file may stand for percentages of the entry price or points added to the entry price and the choice between the two options is made on the search workspace. Sample files can be found in the TRS sub-directory.
2 Create a search workspace
In the workspace you specify the T/S file to use, the historical data file and the trade parameters and performance constraints. Note: If the option to search for common strategies is selected, all data files on the workspace must have the same point value in the case point stops are used.
When creating a search, workspace you may introduce multiple search lines each with different data file(s), T/S file and parameters.
Note: The best way to become familiar with a program is by actually working with it. There are many ways to use DLPAL depending on user’s experience.