How to use CopyRates() to search and filter through several timeframes for Bullish Engulfing pattern

Question

I am trying to use CopyRates() to search for a bullish engulfing candlestick pattern (bearish candle followed by a bigger bullish candle) on several timeframes (all timeframes H2 to M10 within an H4 bullish candle after it closes). I read the definition of CopyRates() but I'm finding it a bit challenging to implement. The idea here is from the patterns I want to filter the pattern that has the biggest bearish to bullish candle pair ratio. See what I've done so far below:

In the OnTick():

for (int i=ArraySize(timeframes); i>=1; i--)   {
    
    if(CopyRates(Symbol(), timeframes[i - 1], 1, MyPeriod, rates)!=MyPeriod) {
        Print("Error CopyRates errcode = ",GetLastError()); 
        return;
    }

    // Using bullish engulfing pattern:
    if ((rates[numCandle].open < rates[numCandle].close) &&
        (rates[numCandle + 1].open > rates[numCandle + 1].close) &&
        (rates[numCandle + 1].open < rates[numCandle].close) &&
        (rates[numCandle + 1].close > rates[numCandle].open)) {

        // Not too certain what should be done here
    }
}

Here's the other related code:

input int numCandle=0; 
MqlRates rates[];
ENUM_TIMEFRAMES timeframes[7] = {PERIOD_H2, PERIOD_H1, PERIOD_M30, PERIOD_M20, PERIOD_M15, PERIOD_M12, PERIOD_M10};

void OnInit() {
   ArraySetAsSeries(rates, true);
}

UPDATED

Below is the definition of the bullish engulfing pattern:

The bullish engulfing pattern as shown in the above image is a bearish candle followed by a bullish candle. The bearish candle’s open less than the bullish candle’s close and the bearish candle’s close is greater than the bullish candle’s open. Please note that in several cases, the bearish candle's close is greater than the bullish candle's open by only a fraction. Each of the candles has a body size bigger than it’s upper and lower wicks combined.

Based on the interest in this question I've created a bounty detailing all the necessary parts. Please feel free to ask any question to clarify any additional information you'll need to arrive at the specified solution. — SuperHueman
I hate those pictures of "wrongly" aligned candles. They are misleading and making new comer traders believe it's ok to see huge gaps where the previous close does not align with the new open. The only time this is ok, is if there is overnight and out-of sessions trading allowed from some stock brokerages. If seen in FX, under normal daily market conditions, you are being bamboozled! — not2qubit

Daniel Kniaz Daniel Kniaz · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-28T13:55:55

     ENUM_TIMEFRAMES timeframes[7] = {PERIOD_H2, PERIOD_H1, PERIOD_M30, PERIOD_M20, PERIOD_M15, PERIOD_M12, PERIOD_M10};
     //ENUM_TIMEFRAMES timeframes[4] = {PERIOD_H1, PERIOD_M30, PERIOD_M15, PERIOD_M5};
     //---
     const int LONG=1, SHORT=-1, NO_DIR=0;
     const ENUM_TIMEFRAMES timeframeHighest = PERIOD_H4;
     string bestRatioObjectName="bestBullish2BearishPattern!";
     
     datetime lastCandleTime=0;
     
     void OnTick()
     {
        if(!isNewBar(PERIOD_H4))
           return;
        //most likely you will call this block after new bar check?
        MqlRates rates[];
        ArraySetAsSeries(rates,true);
        if(CopyRates(_Symbol,timeframeHighest,0,2,rates)==-1)
        {
           printf("%i %s: failed to load/copy rates on %d. error=%d",__LINE__,__FILE__,PeriodSeconds(timeframeHighest)/60,_LastError);
           return;
        }
        if(getCandleDir(rates[1])!=LONG)
           return;
        const datetime timeStart=rates[1].time, timeEnd=rates[0].time;   //within a bullish H4 candle - DONE
        
        double bestRatio = -1;//once a bearish2bullish ratio is higher, we'll move to new place
        for(int i=ArraySize(timeframes)-1;i>=0;i--)
        {
           if(CopyRates(_Symbol,timeframes[i],timeStart,timeEnd,rates)<0)
           {
              printf("%i %s: failed to copy rates on %d. error=%d",__LINE__,__FILE__,PeriodSeconds(timeframeHighest)/60,_LastError);
              return;
           }
           processRates(rates,bestRatio,bestRatioObjectName);
        }
        printf("%i %s: best=%.5f, objName =%s: %.5f-%.5f",__LINE__,__FILE__,bestRatio,bestRatioObjectName,
         ObjectGetDouble(0,bestRatioObjectName,OBJPROP_PRICE1),ObjectGetDouble(0,bestRatioObjectName,OBJPROP_PRICE2));
        //ExpertRemove();//for scripting, a one time call
     }
     bool isNewBar(const ENUM_TIMEFRAMES tf)
       {
        const datetime time=iTime(_Symbol,tf,0);
        if(time>lastCandleTime)
          {
           lastCandleTime=time;
           return true;
          }
        return false;
       }
     int getCandleDir(const MqlRates& rate) // candle direction: +1 for BULL, -1 for BEAR
       {
        if(rate.close-rate.open>_Point/2.)
           return 1;
        if(rate.open-rate.close>_Point/2.)
           return-1;
        return 0;
       }
     void processRates(const MqlRates& rates[],double &best,const string bestObjName)
     {
        for(int i=ArraySize(rates)-2; i>0; /* no sense to catch last candle - we cant compare it with anybody */ i--)
        {
           if(getCandleDir(rates[i])!=LONG)
              continue;//current - bullish
           if(getCandleDir(rates[i+1])!=SHORT)
              continue;//prev - bearish
           if(rates[i].close-rates[i+1].open>_Point/2.){}
           else continue;
           if(rates[i+1].close-rates[i].open>_Point/2.){}
           else continue;
           const double body=rates[i].close-rates[i].open, twoWicks = rates[i].high-rates[i].low- body;
           if(body<twoWicks)
              continue;   //Each of the candles has a body size bigger than it’s upper and lower wicks combined.
     //---
           const double prevBody = rates[i+1].open - rates[i+1].close;
           const double newRatio = body / prevBody;
           if(newRatio>best) // eventually we'll find best bull2bear ratio
           {
              moveRectangle(rates[i+1],rates[i].time,bestObjName);
              best = newRatio;
           }
        }
     }
     void moveRectangle(const MqlRates& rate,const datetime rectEnd,const string objectName)
     {
        if(ObjectFind(0,objectName)<0)
        {
           if(!ObjectCreate(0,objectName,OBJ_RECTANGLE,0,0,0,0,0))
           {
              printf("%i %s: failed to draw %s. error=%d",__LINE__,__FILE__,objectName,_LastError);
              return;
           }
           //add GUI things like how to display the rectangle
        }
        //moving the rectangle to a new place, even for the first time
        ObjectSetDouble(0,objectName,OBJPROP_PRICE,0,rate.open);
        ObjectSetDouble(0,objectName,OBJPROP_PRICE,1,rate.close);
        ObjectSetInteger(0,objectName,OBJPROP_TIME,0,rate.time);
        ObjectSetInteger(0,objectName,OBJPROP_TIME,1,rectEnd);
     }

How to use CopyRates() to search and filter through several timeframes for Bullish Engulfing pattern

2 Answers