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Basic Syntax 📝

Script Structure​

Every Pine Script follows a basic structure:

  1. Version declaration
  2. Script type declaration
  3. Inputs (optional)
  4. Calculations
  5. Plot statements

Version Declaration​

//@version=5  // Always start with this

Script Types​

// Indicator
indicator("My Indicator", overlay=true)

// Strategy
strategy("My Strategy", overlay=true)

// Library
library("My Library", overlay=true)

Comments​

// Single line comment

/* Multi-line
   comment
   block */

Basic Script Examples​

Simple Moving Average​

//@version=5
indicator("Simple MA", overlay=true)

// Calculate 20-period SMA
sma = ta.sma(close, 20)

// Plot the SMA
plot(sma, color=color.blue)

Price Close vs Open​

//@version=5
indicator("Close vs Open")

// Calculate if close is higher than open
isUp = close > open

// Plot different colors based on condition
plot(close, color = isUp ? color.green : color.red)

Naming Conventions​

Variables​

  • Use camelCase
  • Be descriptive
  • Avoid reserved words
// Good
fastLength = 10
slowMovingAverage = ta.sma(close, 20)

// Bad
x = 10
sma = ta.sma(close, 20)

Common Mistakes​

Avoid These

❌ Forgetting version declaration ❌ Using wrong script type ❌ Inconsistent naming ❌ Missing required parameters

Best Practices​

✅ Always declare version ✅ Use meaningful variable names ✅ Comment your code ✅ Test on different timeframes

Practice Exercise​

Create a script that:

  1. Shows a 20-period SMA
  2. Colors it based on slope
  3. Adds a label when trend changes
//@version=5
indicator("Practice Exercise", overlay=true)

// Calculate SMA
length = 20
sma = ta.sma(close, length)

// Calculate slope
slope = sma - sma[1]

// Plot with color based on slope
plot(sma, color = slope > 0 ? color.green : color.red)

// Add label on trend change
if (slope[1] <= 0 and slope > 0)
    label.new(bar_index, sma, "⬆", color=color.green)
if (slope[1] >= 0 and slope < 0)
    label.new(bar_index, sma, "⬇", color=color.red)
Pro Tip

Always start with a simple version of your script and add complexity gradually! 🎯

Next Steps​

In the next chapter, we'll dive into variables and data types in Pine Script!