Simple explanation of Fold? Trying to learn....

[greco26]

Would anyone be able to give me a super simple explanation and example of how to use Fold? I mean super simple... like shapes and colors simple. I've tried to reverse engineer the logic of existing fold examples but I'm having trouble grasping it. I read as much as possible online and I can see how things break down in the fold statement but since coding is fairly new to me still, I just can't understand it with their examples. For example, if I want to find the previous 5 highs which each are higher than the current bar and higher then the high before it and so on. Thank you so much!!

 

[halcyonguy]

fold can,
...process a series of formulas and end up with 1 number.
... look at a group of bars (index) and read values of variables.
...use every # between a start and a stop, in formulas. usually used as a bar offset in getvalue(), to retrieve a value of a variable.
...if while is used, then loop runs as long as while is true


fold can't draw objects.
..can't include plot, addlabel, addchartbubble,...


this may help. i explain a fold statement to someone.
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/...onfirming-a-thinkscript-line.6662/#post-64428


there is a function called script , that may help you. it allows you to create a sub program, within the study, that can be called many times. it can produce more than 1 number, from plot(s). ( it can't plot or use 2nd agg)
https://tlc.thinkorswim.com/center/reference/thinkScript/Reserved-Words/script
hal_fold

 

[halcyonguy]

Are there any good references on how to use fold or loops? I’ve been thinking that might be a way to solve the problem, but do not have much experience using the fold function.

here is an example using fold to count the candles that are smaller than the current one ( engulfing).
on each bar, it looks back 40 bars, comparing the previous candles to the current one. if they are smaller, then it counts +1. if one is bigger, then it stops the loop.
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/...st-65-most-recent-days.7483/page-2#post-72474

 

[MerryDay]

Hands down, ToS is the BEST for charting analysis. But it is horrible at portfolio management and at providing documentation.
Most of the members seem to find the best method for learning the use of functions to be reading through the many indicators using that function and comparing its use in the many other threads. And then cutting and pasting what might work best in what they are building.

You are best off searching the word 'fold' yourself. But if you are looking for technical definitions here are a few links to get you started:
https://tlc.thinkorswim.com/center/reference/thinkScript/Reserved-Words/fold
https://jshingler.github.io/TOS-and-Thinkscript-Snippet-Collection/TOS & Thinkscript Collection.html#the-fold-function-explained
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/conditional-triggers-using-the-fold-function.5920/
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/55679224/how-to-use-fold-statement-index-in-function-call

 

[halcyonguy]

fold can be tough to wrap your mind around it. it took me awhile, of looking at many examples.
take a look at all the posts here. i tried to explain some fold code to someone.
some good links there too.

i explained a couple of fold loops
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/...onfirming-a-thinkscript-line.6662/#post-64430

find engulfing bar. look at past data and compare.
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/...st-65-most-recent-days.7483/page-2#post-72474

 

[halcyonguy]

Would anyone be able to give me a super simple explanation and example of how to use Fold? I mean super simple... like shapes and colors simple. I've tried to reverse engineer the logic of existing fold examples but I'm having trouble grasping it. I read as much as possible online and I can see how things break down in the fold statement but since coding is fairly new to me still, I just can't understand it with their examples. For example, if I want to find the previous 5 highs which each are higher than the current bar and higher then the high before it and so on. Thank you so much!!

don't get hung up on having to use a specific funtion.
write out all the rules you want the code to follow, like an outline.
then add more words, details.
eventually writing code to solve each section.

 

[greco26]

@halcyonguy thank you so much!! I will look at these and hopefully get my head straight about it. Thanks!!!

 

[greco26]

Hands down, ToS is the BEST for charting analysis. But it is horrible at portfolio management and at providing documentation.
Most of the members seem to find the best method for learning the use of functions to be reading through the many indicators using that function and comparing its use in the many other threads. And then cutting and pasting what might work best in what they are building.

You are best off searching the word 'fold' yourself. But if you are looking for technical definitions here are a few links to get you started:
https://tlc.thinkorswim.com/center/reference/thinkScript/Reserved-Words/fold
https://jshingler.github.io/TOS-and-Thinkscript-Snippet-Collection/TOS & Thinkscript Collection.html#the-fold-function-explained
https://usethinkscript.com/threads/conditional-triggers-using-the-fold-function.5920/
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/55679224/how-to-use-fold-statement-index-in-function-call

Yea, that's exactly what I did first but I still couldn't understand how it worked or, better yet, some real simple examples. Thats why I posted my question here. I think @halcyonguy gave me some good stuff to look at so I'll be doing that.