The set of rules or conditions that determine when to open a trade. In an automated Forex strategy, entry logic examines market data (price action, indicators, etc.) and signals a buy or sell order when certain criteria are met. For example, a simple entry rule might be “go long when the 14-period RSI crosses above 30.” Entry logic is typically coded in the strategy’s main event handler (e.g. OnTick()
or OnBarUpdate()
) and invokes an order-send function when true. MetaTrader (MQL) EAs use functions like OrderSend()
; cTrader cBots use methods like ExecuteMarketOrder()
; NinjaTrader uses methods like EnterLong()
or EnterShort()
.
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Definition: Conditions specifying where/why to enter a trade (e.g. indicator thresholds, price patterns). For example, “if the last closed candle breaks above the 50-day SMA and momentum is bullish, place a buy order.”
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Context: Per a Forex strategy manual, “entry signals… are signals opening a position, which are sent by the entry logic of the strategy”. The entry logic produces a market or pending order when its conditions become true.
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Example (MQL4/5):
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Example (cTrader cAlgo):
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Example (NinjaScript):