How to make sure function only runs at specified interval and not when its initially placed on chart

 

In the code below I run a function every H4. But the issue is when I put it on the chart it runs immediately for the first time before it starts running every 4 hours. How can I fix this code so it runs only when the chart 4 hour duration ends? Please note that I've only included the most relevant part of the code with respect to the question.


int OnInit()
  {

   return(INIT_SUCCEEDED);
  }

void OnDeinit(const int reason)
  {

   
  }


void SearchForNewPattern() {
      
   //
}

void OnTick()
  {
      datetime curDispBarTime=0; 
      static datetime prevDispBarTime = 0; 
   
   curDispBarTime = iTime(_Symbol,PERIOD_H4,0);
   bool isNewDispBar = curDispBarTime != prevDispBarTime;

  
  if(isNewDispBar)  {
   
      prevDispBarTime = curDispBarTime; 
      
      SearchForNewPattern();
      
      }
   
  }
 
   static datetime prevDispBarTime = 0;
   if(prevDispBarTime==0)
      prevDispBarTime=iTime(_Symbol,PERIOD_H4,0);

but make sure that the H4 TF is fully updated.

 
  1.    curDispBarTime = iTime(_Symbol,PERIOD_H4,0);

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  2. Initialize your static on first tick and return.
    bool isFirstTick;
    int OnInit()
      {
       isFirstTick = true;
       return(INIT_SUCCEEDED);
      }
    
    void OnTick()
      {
          static datetime curDispBarTime = 0; 
                 datetime preDispBarTime = curDispBarTime; 
                          curDispBarTime = iTime(_Symbol,PERIOD_H4,0);
          if(curDispBarTime == 0) return;                  // Updatings H4.
          if(isFirstTick){ isFirstTick = false; return; }  // static initialized.
       bool isNewDispBar = curDispBarTime != prevDispBarTime;

 
Keith Watford:

but make sure that the H4 TF is fully updated.

Thanks. It's working.