Understanding the Limitation

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 88 views

Introduction

As a Pine Script developer, you may have encountered the limitation of making only 40 security() calls in a single script. This limitation can be frustrating, especially when you need to access multiple securities in your trading strategy. However, there is a workaround that can help you bypass this limitation and make more than 40 security() calls. In this article, we will explore this workaround and provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to implement it.

Understanding the Limitation

The security() function in Pine Script is used to access data from other securities. However, due to performance and optimization reasons, the Pine Script engine has imposed a limit of 40 security() calls per script. This limit is in place to prevent the script from becoming too slow or even crashing.

The Workaround

The workaround for making more than 40 security() calls involves using functions that return arrays of data instead of individual security() calls. This approach allows you to access multiple securities in a single function call, thereby bypassing the 40-call limit.

Using Functions Returning Arrays

One way to implement this workaround is to create functions that return arrays of data. For example, you can create a function that returns an array of high, low, open, and close prices for a given security. Here's an example of how you can do this:

//@version=5
indicator("Security Array Example", overlay=true)

// Define a function that returns an array of high, low, open, and close prices
function getSecurityData(symbol, length) =>
    security(symbol, "1D", close, high, low, open, length)

// Call the function and store the result in a variable
data = getSecurityData("AAPL", 10)

// Plot the data
plot(data[0])
plot(data[1])
plot(data[2])
plot(data[3])

In this example, the getSecurityData() function takes two arguments: symbol and length. It uses the security() function to access the high, low, open, and close prices for the given security and returns an array of these values. The data variable is then assigned the result of calling this function.

Using a Loop to Access Multiple Securities

Another way to implement this workaround is to use a loop to access multiple securities. Here's an example of how you can do this:

//@version=5
indicator("Security Loop Example", overlay=true)

// Define a list of securities
securities = ["AAPL", "GOOG", "AMZN"]

// Define a function that returns an array of high, low, open, and close prices
function getSecurityData(symbol, length) =>
    security(symbol, "1D", close, high, low, open, length)

// Loop through the list of securities and call the function for each one
for i = 0 to length(securities) - 1
    symbol = securities[i]
    data = getSecurityData(symbol, 10)
    plot(data[0])
    plot(data[1])
    plot(data[2])
    plot(data[3])

In this example, the securities list contains the symbols of the securities you want to access. The getSecurityData() function is then called for each security in the list, and the result is plotted.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making more than 40 security() calls in Pine Script is possible by using functions that return arrays of data instead of individual security() calls. This approach allows you to access multiple securities in a single function call, thereby bypassing the 40-call limit. By using functions returning arrays or loops to access multiple securities, you can create more complex trading strategies that require access to multiple securities.

Best Practices

When implementing this workaround, keep the following best practices in mind:

Use functions that return arrays of data instead of individual security() calls.
Use loops to access multiple securities instead of calling the security() function multiple times.
Keep the number of security() calls to a minimum to avoid performance issues.
Test your script thoroughly to ensure it works as expected.

Q: What is the limit on security() calls in Pine Script?

A: The limit on security() calls in Pine Script is 40. This means that you can only call the security() function 40 times in a single script.

Q: Why is there a limit on security() calls?

A: The limit on security() calls is in place to prevent the script from becoming too slow or even crashing. Each security() call requires the Pine Script engine to access data from another security, which can be a resource-intensive process.

Q: How can I make more than 40 security() calls in Pine Script?

A: You can make more than 40 security() calls in Pine Script by using functions that return arrays of data instead of individual security() calls. This approach allows you to access multiple securities in a single function call, thereby bypassing the 40-call limit.

Q: What is the difference between using functions that return arrays of data and using loops to access multiple securities?

A: Using functions that return arrays of data and using loops to access multiple securities are two different approaches to making more than 40 security() calls in Pine Script. Functions that return arrays of data allow you to access multiple securities in a single function call, while loops allow you to access multiple securities by calling the security() function multiple times.

Q: How do I implement a function that returns an array of data in Pine Script?

A: To implement a function that returns an array of data in Pine Script, you can use the following syntax:

function getSecurityData(symbol, length) =>
    security(symbol, "1D", close, high, low, open, length)

Q: How do I implement a loop to access multiple securities in Pine Script?

A: To implement a loop to access multiple securities in Pine Script, you can use the following syntax:

for i = 0 to length(securities) - 1
    symbol = securities[i]
    data = getSecurityData(symbol, 10)
    plot(data[0])
    plot(data[1])
    plot(data[2])
    plot(data[3])

Q: What are some best practices to keep in mind when making more than 40 security() calls in Pine Script?

A: Some best practices to keep in mind when making more than 40 security() calls in Pine Script include:

Use functions that return arrays of data instead of individual security() calls.
Use loops to access multiple securities instead of calling the security() function multiple times.
Keep the number of security() calls to a minimum to avoid performance issues.
Test your script thoroughly to ensure it works as expected.

Q: Can I use this workaround in a strategy script?

A: Yes, you can use this workaround in a strategy script. However, keep in mind that strategy scripts have different requirements and limitations than indicator scripts.

Q: Can I use this workaround with other Pine Script functions?

A: Yes, you can use this workaround with other Pine Script functions. However, keep in mind that some functions may have different requirements or limitations than the security() function.

Q: Where can I find more information about making more than 40 security() calls in Pine Script?

A: You can find more information about making more than 40 security() calls in Pine Script in the Pine Script documentation and in online forums and communities.