===== Express Generator =====

===== Goals =====

* Using static resources
* A predefined strategy structure

==== Install or update Express Generator ====
 
**Express Generator** requires Node.js.

Please install the latest version of Node.js from its website: https://nodejs.org/en/

==== Download Premium Data and update the  FX rates ====

**Command:** ''node ./bin/fetch'' - download historical data and FX rates.

**Options:**
  * ''---symbol EURUSD GBPUSD'' - download the given symbols from the Premium Data Feed.
  * ''---fx-rates'' - update the forex exchange rates

You can download historical data or FX rates, or both together.

**Example:**

  node ./bin/fetch --symbol EURUSD GBPUSD --fx-rates

==== Generate a new Collection ====

**Command:** `node ./bin/gen`

**Options:**

* ''--settings ./my-settings.ini''              - specify settings to override the master settings.
* ''--data     ./data/premium/EURUSD_M30.json'' - specify a data file.
* ''--input    ./old-collection.json''          - input Collection. It is used when we want to recalculate an old Collection.
* ''--output   ./new-collection.json''          - specified output collection file. If it is not given, ExGen uses a generic name.

You can use options to override the settings. All settings parameters can be used as options also.

**Examples:**

Use default DataSet and Settings.
The default data file is defined in ''./system/settings.master.ini''.
Produce a Collection with a generic name.


  node ./bin/gen

Specify the DataSet.
Use default Settings: ''./system/settings.master.ini''.
Produce a Collection with a generic name.


  node ./bin/gen --data ./data/premium/EURUSD_M30.json


Specify the DataSet and Settings.
Produce a Collection with a generic name.


  node ./bin/gen --data ./data/premium/EURUSD_M30.json --settings ./my-settings.ini


Specify the DataSet, the Settings, and the output collection name.


  node ./bin/gen --settings ./my-settings.ini              ^
                 --data     ./data/premium/EURUSD_M30.json ^
                 --output   ./new-collection.json


==== Recalculate a Collection ====

The parameters are the same as above, but we give an input collection.


  node ./bin/gen --settings ./my-settings.ini              ^
                 --data     ./data/premium/EURUSD_M30.json ^
                 --input    ./old-collection.json          ^
                 --output   ./new-collection.json


==== Recalculate multiple Collections ====

We calculate multiple collections in three ways:

 - Give multiple collections to the ''--input'' option


  node ./bin/gen --settings ./my-settings.ini ^
                 --input    ./old-collection-1.json ./old-collection-2.json  ./old-collection-3.json ^
                 --output   ./new-collection.json
  

 - Use multiple `--input` options


  node ./bin/gen --settings ./my-settings.ini       ^
                 --input    ./old-collection-1.json ^
                 --input    ./old-collection-2.json ^
                 --input    ./old-collection-3.json ^
                 --output   ./new-collection.json


 - Give a collection folder to the ''--input'' option.

We can override each setting parameter from the settings files with an option.
It is a good idea to remove the Generator limitations when recalculating strategies.


  node ./bin/gen --settings ./my-settings.ini     ^
                 --input    ./collection          ^
                 --output   ./new-collection.json ^
                 --max-calculated-strategies 0    ^
                 --max-asceded-strategies    0    ^
                 --max-working-minutes       0


==== Output Collection Pattern ====

We set the output collection path with the `--output` option or the `output` parameter in a settings file.

We can use either a static name as `./collection/ma-collection.json` or predefined placeholders,
which will be set by the Generator.

Example: ''output = ./collections/Coll_[SERVER]_[SYMBOL][PERIOD]_[YEAR]-[MONTH]-[DAY]_str_[COUNT].json''

It may produce a collection like this: ''Coll_Premium_Data_EURUSD30_2022-08-23_str_83.json''.

Available placeholders:


  [SERVER]  - Data source
  [SYMBOL]  - Symbol
  [PERIOD]  - Data period
  [YEAR]    - The Year of the last data bar
  [MONTH]   - The Month of the last data bar
  [DAY]     - The Day of the month of the last data bar
  [HOUR]    - The hour of the last data bar
  [MINUTE]  - The Minute of the last data bar
  [COUNT]   - Count of strategies.

==== Strategy Structure ====

* Open a position at **Bar Open**
* Close a position at **Bar Open** for EA Studio or at **Bar Close** for FSB Pro
* A strategy has 1-3 entry slots and 0-2 exit slots
* The first entry slot has a "single" logic rule
* The rest entry slots have "continues" logic rules
* The exit slots have "continues" logic rules