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Built-in Variables 📊

Price Data Variables​

These variables provide access to basic price information:

//@version=5
indicator("Price Variables")

// Basic price data
plot(open,  "Open",  color=color.blue)
plot(high,  "High",  color=color.green)
plot(low,   "Low",   color=color.red)
plot(close, "Close", color=color.purple)

// Historical values
plot(close[1], "Previous Close", color=color.gray)

Time Variables​

Access various time-related information:

//@version=5
indicator("Time Variables")

// Basic time variables
t = time            // Current bar time
tf = timeframe.period  // Current timeframe
s = session.ismarket   // Is current session market hours?

// Time components
year    = year(t)
month   = month(t)
weekday = dayofweek(t)
hour    = hour(t)
minute  = minute(t)

// Example: Only plot during market hours
plot(s ? close : na, "Market Hours Only")

Bar Variables​

Variables related to bar information:

//@version=5
indicator("Bar Variables")

// Bar indexing
plot(bar_index, "Bar Index")

// Bar state
isNewBar = barstate.isnew
isConfirmed = barstate.isconfirmed
isLast = barstate.islast

// Example: Plot label on last bar
if isLast
    label.new(bar_index, high, "Last Bar")

Volume and Trading Variables​

//@version=5
indicator("Volume Variables", format=format.volume)

// Volume data
plot(volume, "Volume", style=plot.style_columns)

// Trading info
plot(hl2, "HL2 Average")
plot(hlc3, "HLC3 Average")
plot(ohlc4, "OHLC4 Average")

// Example: Volume weighted average price
plot(vwap, "VWAP", color=color.blue)

Symbol Information​

//@version=5
indicator("Symbol Info")

// Symbol information
sym = syminfo.ticker     // Current symbol
exc = syminfo.exchange   // Exchange
desc = syminfo.description  // Description

// Example: Display symbol info
if barstate.islast
    label.new(bar_index, high, 
        text=sym + "\n" + exc + "\n" + desc,
        style=label.style_label_down)

Strategy Variables​

Available in strategy scripts:

//@version=5
strategy("Strategy Variables", overlay=true)

// Position information
isLong = strategy.position_size > 0
isShort = strategy.position_size < 0

// Entry price
entryPrice = strategy.position_avg_price

// Profit/Loss
pl = strategy.openprofit

// Example: Display position info
if barstate.islast
    label.new(bar_index, high,
        text="Position: " + str.tostring(strategy.position_size) +
             "\nEntry: " + str.tostring(entryPrice) +
             "\nP/L: " + str.tostring(pl),
        style=label.style_label_down)

Series vs. Simple Types​

Understanding the difference between series and simple types:

//@version=5
indicator("Series vs Simple")

// Simple (single value)
simpleValue = 100  // Constant

// Series (value for each bar)
seriesValue = close  // Changes each bar

// Historical reference
prevClose = close[1]  // Previous bar's close
prevClose2 = close[2] // Two bars ago

// Example: Comparing types
diff = seriesValue - simpleValue
plot(diff)

Practice Examples​

1. Time-Based Trading Hours​

//@version=5
indicator("Trading Hours")

// Define trading hours (e.g., 9:30 - 16:00 EST)
isTrading = hour >= 9 and hour < 16 and 
    (hour != 9 or minute >= 30)

// Color bars based on trading hours
barcolor(isTrading ? color.blue : color.gray)

2. Volume Profile​

//@version=5
indicator("Volume Profile")

// Calculate relative volume
avgVol = ta.sma(volume, 20)
relativeVol = volume / avgVol

// Plot volume profile
plot(volume, "Volume",
    style=plot.style_columns,
    color = switch
        relativeVol >= 2.0 => color.green
        relativeVol <= 0.5 => color.red
        => color.gray)

3. Multi-Timeframe Analysis​

//@version=5
indicator("MTF Analysis")

// Get data from higher timeframe
htf = request.security(syminfo.tickerid, "D", close)

// Compare current timeframe to daily
diff = close - htf
plot(diff, "Difference from Daily Close")
Pro Tips
  • Use historical references wisely
  • Remember that series calculations are bar-by-bar
  • Check timeframe compatibility
  • Consider session hours in calculations

Common Pitfalls​

Watch Out For

❌ Mixing series and simple types incorrectly ❌ Accessing future bars (not possible) ❌ Ignoring timeframe limitations ❌ Not checking for valid data

Next Steps​

Now that you understand Pine Script's built-in variables, let's move on to functions! 🚀