How does Zorro handle stops & restarts?

In the event of a system crash, when Zorro restarts will it know where it was and what trades it had in progress?

What "state" will it put itself in before trying to resume and do additional trades, update stops, etc.?

If it is known the computer needs to be taken down, what are the proper things to do before closing Zorro?

The more this happens, the further trading results will vary from predicted, correct? So the goal is to run Zorro as continuously as possible?

Thanks.

Yes, it will.



Zorro keeps a file which memorizes the open trades in Log directory. When you restart it, it will look for the file and recognize open trades and probably other stuff like the stops you mention.



Stop trading, but don't close the running trades (popups guide you in the process).



Sure. But, if you trade 4h timeframe, like Z1/2 do, it is relatively safe to do quick restarts. Especially if you can schedule restarts to the periods when the market is slow.

I'm speaking from my experience, jcl may add more information.

I only need to add one detail: restarting Z1/Z2 will reset the phantom trade mechanism, because the previous equity curve is not stored in the current Z1/Z2 version. So this is a slight disadvantage of frequent restarts.

Thanks acidburn, jcl.

So, to summarize: On a restart Zorro will know what trades are open, download the missed price information, and resume processing (trading, adjusting stops, etc.) with the 1st/next tick/bar being "just another one", as if none had been missed? (Aside from the phantom trade reset.)

So the bottom line is short, infrequent, preferably on weekends stops are OK, but long outages are bad? Except on weekends when the market is closed - then it's OK to shut Zorro down completely (as long as you remember to restart it before the market opens again?! :))

Thanks.

Yes, that's correct. On weekends Zorro logs out anyway, as broker servers often go down on weekends.

Thanks jcl.

Yes, I saw that Zorro logged out for the weekend. Just wasn't sure if it was OK to stop it or if that would cause a problem. I understand the only (minor) problem is the reset of the phantom trades mechanism.

Thanks.

Are all stoppages equal?

Is a stoppage due to lost internet connection the same as a click on the stop button, or a sleep, hibernate or restart event?

Does anything happen between for example 4 hr new bar events in Z1/Z2? Are stops, entries, exits being managed during this period? or will everything be OK so long as the computer and internet connection are back in time for the next 4hr new bar?

No, not all stoppages are equal. Terminating the trade session with the Stop button or due to a computer crash loses all data collected in the session, such as the equity curve for phantom trades. Only the open trades are not lost. Hibernating or losing internet connection does not terminate the session, so no data is lost and Zorro just continues when the Internet is available again.

Any interruption however means that the trades are not controlled during that time. Stops are not hit and pending trades not entered. So, any interruption, except for weekends, is bad for the profit.

Thanks jcl,



Are the stops, limits & entries being controlled at each tick or only at the end of the bar period in question? I'm running a Z2 test on a laptop that has periodic loss of internet connection, am I OK if I schedule to be back in service for end of the 4hr bar period?

All limits are controlled at each tick. A periodic loss of internet connection is not good, as you might miss a price movement. It's certainly a good investment to buy a better laptop.