What exactly is a session template?

[lookOutBelow]

I'm wondering what exactly a session template does (v7)?

If my strategy itself, has some code that only allows it to trade from 6:30am to 12:50am (pacific standard time) and exits any open positions at 12:50, should the session time really be doing anything? If so, what is it doing?

If I run optimizations and walk forwards with different session times, I'll get different results depending on the session. Even if those sessions fully encompass 6:30am to 12:50am entirely.

Thanks

[NinjaTrader_RyanM1]

Hello lookoutBelow,

Session templates will construct the bars based on the times defined. To get an idea of how they'll shape the data, use a chart with different session templates applied. A different session template can have different bars which leads to different indicator calculations compared to only having a time filter for your strategy.

You can read more about session manager and session templates here:

http://www.ninjatrader.com/support/helpGuides/nt7/using_the_session_manager.htm