Understanding the line.get_x1() Function in Pine Script

In this tutorial, we’ll delve into how to use line.get_x1(), its syntax, and practical examples to enhance your Pine Script coding skills.

Syntax of line.get_x1()

The syntax for line.get_x1() is straightforward:

line.get_x1(id) → series int

• id (series line): This argument specifies the line object from which you want to retrieve the X-coordinate of the first point.

Example

Before diving into the technicalities, let’s examine a practical example:

//@version=5
indicator("line.get_x1 Example")
customLine = line.new(time, open, time + 60 * 60 * 24, close, xloc=xloc.bar_time)
lineStartX = line.get_x1(customLine)
plot(time - line.get_x1(customLine)) //draws zero plot

Walkthrough of Code 

• We declare an indicator using indicator("line.get_x1 Example").
• customLine is created with line.new(), drawing a line from the current bar’s opening to the closing price 24 hours later.
• lineStartX retrieves the X-coordinate of the line’s starting point using line.get_x1(customLine).
• Finally, we plot a line using plot(time - line.get_x1(customLine)), effectively drawing a zero plot since the X-coordinate of the line’s start and the current time will match for each bar.

How It Works

• Line Creation: The line is created with line.new(), specifying its start and end points based on the chart’s time and price values. The xloc=xloc.bar_time parameter ensures the line’s X-coordinates are based on the bar’s time.
• Retrieving the Start Point: line.get_x1(customLine) is used to fetch the X-coordinate (UNIX timestamp or bar index) of the line’s starting point.
• Plotting: The plot() function attempts to visualize the difference between the current bar’s time and the line’s starting time. Since they are the same, it results in a zero plot.

Key Features and Takeaways

• Function Usability: line.get_x1() is invaluable for strategies or indicators that need to adapt based on the position or existence of drawn lines on the chart.
• Syntax and Application: Its straightforward syntax allows for easy retrieval of a line’s starting X-coordinate, facilitating complex calculations and logic within scripts.
• UNIX Timestamp or Bar Index: The function returns a UNIX timestamp if the line’s xloc is set to xloc.bar_time, or a bar index if set to xloc.bar_index, providing flexibility in how lines are referenced and manipulated.

By understanding and applying the line.get_x1() function, developers can create more dynamic, responsive, and visually informative scripts in Pine Script. This function is just one of many that unlock the potential for advanced technical analysis and trading strategy development on the TradingView platform.