debuggingthinkscript

How do you step through thinkscript in ThinkOrSwim platform?


I am playing with ThinkScript code on ThinkOrSwim platform. Specifically running this tool on MacOSX. I am wondering if there is a way to debug ThinkScript like you attach a debugger and step through the script line by line.


Solution

  • As noted by @Gary, thinkScript has no debugger tool. You can use chart bubbles, as Gary suggested, and chart labels.

    Chart bubbles appear at a specified bar when a condition is met. Chart labels appear at the upper left of the chart when a condition is met.


    Syntax

    Notes:

    AddChartBubble("time condition", # condition defining bar where bubble should appear
                   "price location", # which price should bubble point at (eg, high, low)
                   text,             # text to display in bubble
                   color,            # bubble color
                   up                # display bubble above price (yes) or below it (no)
    );
    
    AddLabel(visible,  # condition defining whether the label should appear; yes means always
             text,     # text to display in label
             color     # label color
    );
    

    As a side note, #hint: .... displays a "helper" message for the code when you click the question mark in the selection list. Also, \n in the hint text places a "newline" character at that point.

    Helper message upon click of question mark to right of study name


    Example code:

    #hint: Counts a value using an if statement, recursive variable type statement, and a CompoundValue statement.\nDemonstrates using chart bubbles and labels for debugging.
    
    def TrueRange;
    if BarNumber() == 1 {
        TrueRange = ATR(14)[1];
    } else {
        TrueRange = TrueRange[1];
    }
    
    def tr_rec = if BarNumber() == 1 then tr_rec[1] + 1 else tr_rec[1];
    
    def tr_cmpd = CompoundValue(1, if BarNumber() == 1 then ATR(14)[1] else tr_cmpd[1], Double.NaN);
    
    # plot Data = close; # not req'd if doing only labels and/or bubbles
    
    def numBars = HighestAll(BarNumber());
    def halfwayBar = numBars / 2;
    
    # bubble to test a value
    AddChartBubble("time condition"=BarNumber() == halfwayBar,
                   "price location"=high,
                   text="Bar Number " + BarNumber() + "\n is the halfwayBar (" + halfwayBar + ")",
                   color=Color.YELLOW,
                   up=no);
    
    # labels to test values
    AddLabel(yes, "# Bars on Chart: " + numBars, Color.YELLOW);
    
    AddLabel(yes, "TrueRange @ bar 1: " + GetValue(TrueRange, numBars - 1), Color.ORANGE);
    AddLabel(yes, "TrueRange @ bar " + numBars + ": " + TrueRange, Color.ORANGE);
    
    AddLabel(yes, "tr_rec @ bar 1: " + GetValue(tr_rec, numBars - 1), Color.LIGHT_ORANGE);
    AddLabel(yes, "tr_rec @ bar " + numBars + ": " + tr_rec, Color.LIGHT_ORANGE);
    
    AddLabel(yes, "tr_cmpd @ bar 1: " + GetValue(tr_cmpd, numBars - 1), Color.LIGHT_GREEN);
    AddLabel(yes, "tr_cmpd @ bar " + numBars + ": " + tr_cmpd, Color.LIGHT_GREEN);
    
    

    Chart with sample code applied