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BLOOMBERG OPEN API – CORE DEVELOPER GUIDE

RELATED DOCUMENTS
DOCUMENT NAME

Core User Guide

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Publishing User Guide

Publishing Developer Guide

Reference Guide — Bloomberg Services and Schemas

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affiliates make no guarantee as to the adequacy, correctness or completeness of, and do not make any representation or warranty (whether express or
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BLOOMBERG OPEN API – CORE DEVELOPER GUIDE

Contents
Contents
Contents .................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
1. About This Guide............................................................................................................................................................. 6
1.1. Overview ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
1.1.1. API Features ................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.1.2. Bloomberg Product Features .......................................................................................................................... 7
2. Subscription Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 9
2.1. Subscription Life Cycle ............................................................................................................................................ 9
2.2. Starting a Subscription .......................................................................................................................................... 10
2.3. Building a Subscription .......................................................................................................................................... 13
2.4. Example of Building a Subscription....................................................................................................................... 13
2.5. Subscription Method ............................................................................................................................................. 15
2.6. Subscription Status Messages .............................................................................................................................. 15
2.7. Subscription Data Messages ................................................................................................................................ 18
2.8. Subscription Errors/Exceptions ............................................................................................................................. 21
2.9. Modifying an Existing Subscription ....................................................................................................................... 22
2.10. Stopping a Subscription ........................................................................................................................................ 23
2.11. Overlapping Subscriptions .................................................................................................................................... 23
2.12. Receiving Data from a Subscription ...................................................................................................................... 24
2.13. Snapshot Requests for Subscriptions ................................................................................................................... 25
3. Subscription Classes ..................................................................................................................................................... 25
3.1. SessionOptions Class ........................................................................................................................................... 26
3.2. Session Class........................................................................................................................................................ 26
3.3. Establishing a Connection ..................................................................................................................................... 27
4. Data Requests............................................................................................................................................................... 29
5. Bloomberg Services ...................................................................................................................................................... 30
5.1. Service Schemas .................................................................................................................................................. 30
5.2. Accessing a Service .............................................................................................................................................. 31
5.3. Market Data Service .............................................................................................................................................. 32
5.4. Reference Data Service ........................................................................................................................................ 34
5.4.1. Requesting Reference Data .......................................................................................................................... 34
5.4.2. Handling Reference Data Messages ............................................................................................................ 35
5.4.3. Handling Reference Data (Bulk) Messages .................................................................................................. 37
5.5. Source Reference Service .................................................................................................................................... 38
5.6. Custom VWAP Service ......................................................................................................................................... 40
5.7. Market Depth Data Service ................................................................................................................................... 40

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5.8. Market Bar Service ................................................................................................................................................ 41

5.9. Market List (Mktlist) Service .................................................................................................................................. 42
5.10. API Field Service (APIflds) .................................................................................................................................... 45
5.11. API Field Service — Field List ............................................................................................................................... 45
5.12. API Field Service — Field Information .................................................................................................................. 46
5.13. API Field Service — Field Search ......................................................................................................................... 47
5.14. API Field Service — Categorized Field Search .................................................................................................... 48
5.15. Instruments............................................................................................................................................................ 49
5.16. Page Data ............................................................................................................................................................. 49
5.17. Technical Analysis................................................................................................................................................. 50
5.18. Historical End-of-Day Study Request.................................................................................................................... 51
5.19. Intraday Bar Study Request .................................................................................................................................. 53
5.20. Real-time Study Request ...................................................................................................................................... 55
6. Best Practices ............................................................................................................................................................... 56
6.1. Name Class ........................................................................................................................................................... 56
6.2. Session Object ...................................................................................................................................................... 56
6.3. EventQueue .......................................................................................................................................................... 56
6.4. Getting Values from Elements .............................................................................................................................. 57
6.5. MaxEventQueueSize ............................................................................................................................................ 57
6.6. Message Iterator ................................................................................................................................................... 58
6.7. CorrelationID Object .............................................................................................................................................. 58
6.8. DateTime ............................................................................................................................................................... 58
6.9. If Chains ................................................................................................................................................................ 59
6.10. Invariants: Un-Optimized ....................................................................................................................................... 60
6.10.1. Invariants: Corrected ..................................................................................................................................... 61
7. Event Handling .............................................................................................................................................................. 62
7.1. Asynchronous vs. Synchronous ............................................................................................................................ 63
7.2. Multiple Sessions .................................................................................................................................................. 63
8. Message Types ............................................................................................................................................................. 64
9. Error Codes ................................................................................................................................................................... 65
9.1. Common Error Message Codes ............................................................................................................................ 65
9.2. Message Return Codes (v3 API ONLY)................................................................................................................ 65
9.2.1. General .......................................................................................................................................................... 65
9.2.2. API Error Code number ................................................................................................................................. 67
9.2.3. //BLP/APIAUTH ............................................................................................................................................. 67
9.2.4. //BLP/MKTDATA and //BLP/MKTVWAP ....................................................................................................... 69
9.2.5. //BLP/REFDATA ............................................................................................................................................ 70
10. Event Types .............................................................................................................................................................. 72

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10.1. Message Types ..................................................................................................................................................... 72

11. Handling Reference Errors/Exceptions ..................................................................................................................... 74
12. SDK for BLPAPI ........................................................................................................................................................ 78
13. Request/Response .................................................................................................................................................... 80
13.1. Requesting Historical Data .................................................................................................................................... 80
13.2. Handling Historical Data Messages ...................................................................................................................... 81
13.3. Requesting Intraday Bar Data ............................................................................................................................... 82
13.4. Handling Intraday Bar Data Messages ................................................................................................................. 83
13.5. Requesting Intraday Tick Data .............................................................................................................................. 85
13.6. Handling Intraday Tick Data Messages ................................................................................................................ 87
13.7. sendRequest Method ............................................................................................................................................ 88
14. Multi-Threading and the API ..................................................................................................................................... 89
14.1. Combining Reference and Subscription Data ....................................................................................................... 89
15. Converting from Excel Formulas (TransExcelFormToCOM) .................................................................................... 90
15.1. BDP(): Streaming Data (Real-Time or Delayed). .................................................................................................. 90
15.2. BDP(): Reference Data (Static) ............................................................................................................................. 90
15.3. BDS(): Bulk Data (Static) ...................................................................................................................................... 91
15.4. BDH(): Historical “End-of-Day” Data (Static) ......................................................................................................... 92
15.5. BDH(): Intraday Ticks (Static) ............................................................................................................................... 95
15.6. BDH()/BRB(): Intraday Bar Data (Static/Subscription) .......................................................................................... 98
15.7. BEQS(): Bloomberg Equity Screening ................................................................................................................ 101
16. Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................................................... 104
16.1. Troubleshooting Scenarios ................................................................................................................................. 105
16.2. BLP API Logging ................................................................................................................................................. 105

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1. About This Guide

The Core API “Developer’s Guide” is the starting point for learning the core usage of the Bloomberg L.P. API libraries.
This knowledge will form the basis for developing applications for the Desktop API, Server API, B-PIPE and Platform
products.
If the goal is to develop applications for one of the Bloomberg Enterprise products (including Server API, B-PIPE or
Platform), then, upon completion of this core guide, the user will want to continue with the Enterprise User and
Developer’s guides.

1.1. OVERVIEW
All API products share the same programming interface and behave almost identically. The main difference is that
customer applications using the enterprise API products (which exclude the Desktop API) have some additional
responsibilities, such as performing authentication, authorization and permissioning before distributing/receiving data.

1.1.1. API FEATURES

LANGUAGES
The Bloomberg v3 API is available in many popular programming and scripting languages, including Java, C/C++, .NET,
Perl and Python. Bloomberg also provides a COM Data Control interface for development within Excel. The Java, .NET
and C++ object models are identical, while the C interface provides a C-style version of the object model.
The Java, C and .NET API are written completely native, with .NET being written natively in C#. The C++, Python, Perl
and COM Data Control interfaces are built on top of the C API libraries. Applications can be effortlessly ported among
these languages as application needs change.
LIGHTWEIGHT INTERFACES
The API v3 programming interface implementations are very lightweight. The design makes the process of receiving data
from Bloomberg and delivering it to applications as efficient as possible. It is possible to get maximum performance from
the available versions of the interface.
EXTENSIBLE SERVICE-ORIENTED DATA MODEL
The API generically understands the concepts of subscription and request-response services. The subscribe and request
methods allow the sending of requests to different data services with potentially different or overlapping data dictionaries
and different response schemas at runtime. Thus the Bloomberg API can support additional services without additions to
the interface—simplifying writing applications that can adapt to changes in services or entirely new services.
SUMMARY EVENTS
When subscribing to market data for a security, the API performs two actions:
1. Retrieves and delivers a summary of the current state of the security—made up of elements known as “fields.”
2. Streams all market data updates as they occur and continues to do so until subscription cancellation.
REQUEST SIZE RESTRICTIONS
Limitations exist on the number of fields for reference and historical data request: 400 fields for reference data request
and 25 fields for historical data request. There is also a limit on the number of securities enforced by the Session’s
MaxPendingRequests. API will split the securities in the request into groups of 10 securities and fields into groups of 128
fields. Therefore, depending of the number of securities and fields provided, the number of requests many exceed the
default 1,024 MaxPendingRequests limit.
CANONICAL DATA FORMAT
Each data field returned to an application via the API is accompanied by an in-memory dictionary element that indicates
the data type (e.g., double) and provides a description of the field; the data is self-describing. Data elements may be
simple or complex, e.g., bulk fields. All data is represented in the same canonical form.

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THREAD-SAFETY
The interface is thread safe and thread aware, giving applications the ability to utilize multiple processors efficiently.
32- AND 64-BIT PROGRAMMING SUPPORT
The Java and .NET API work on both 32- and 64-bit platforms, while the C/C++ API libraries are currently available in
both 32- and 64-bit versions.
PURE JAVA IMPLEMENTATION
The Java API is implemented entirely in Java. Bloomberg did not use JNI to wrap either the existing C library or the new
C++ library.
FULLY INTROSPECTIVE DATA MODEL
An application can discover a service and its attributes at runtime.
BANDWIDTH OPTIMIZED
The Bloomberg API automatically breaks large results into smaller chunks and can provide conflated streaming data to
improve the bandwidth usage and the latency of applications.
THE THREE PARADIGMS
Before exploring the details for requesting and receiving data, the following three paradigms used by the Bloomberg API
are described:
 Request/Response
 Subscription
 Publishing

1.1.2. BLOOMBERG PRODUCT FEATURES

FIELD-LEVEL SUBSCRIPTIONS
Updates can be requested for only the fields of interest to the application rather than receiving all trade and quote fields
when a subscription is established. This reduces the overhead of processing unwanted data within both the API and the
application and also reduces network bandwidth consumption between Bloomberg and its customers. Depending on a
user’s product, additional related fields may be included for API efficiencies, but only the fields requested should be relied
upon.
INTERVAL-BASED SUBSCRIPTIONS
Many users of API data are interested in subscribing to large sets of streaming data, but only need summaries of each
requested security to be delivered at periodic intervals.
24X7 ACCESS TO BLOOMBERG DATA
Provides developers with 24x7 programmatic access to data from the Bloomberg Data Center to be used in customer
applications.
SECURITY LOOKUP FUNCTIONALITY
Perform a security, curve and government lookup request similar to what can be accomplished using {SECF <GO>}.
API DATA DICTIONARY ACCESS
Query the API Data Dictionary of available fields, providing functionality similar to what can be accomplished using {FLDS
<GO>}.

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COMMON API CONCEPTS

The following concepts must be understood before successfully requesting or subscribing to Bloomberg financial data via
the API:
 Securities
 Fields/Overrides (with interactive demo)
 Historical Dates

THE THREE PARADIGMS

Request/Response
Data is requested by issuing a Request and is returned in a Message sequence consisting of zero or more
PARTIAL_RESPONSE Message Events followed by exactly one RESPONSE Message Event. The final RESPONSE
indicates that the Request has been completed. In general, applications using this paradigm will perform extra processing
after receiving the final RESPONSE from a Request, such as performing calculations, updating a display with all data at
one time stored in a cache, etc.
Subscription
A Subscription is created that results in a stream of updates being delivered in SUBSCRIPTION_DATA Message Events
until the Subscription is explicitly cancelled (unsubscribed) by the application. By default, all data is returned. It is possible
to set an interval where if any of the fields have changed since the last interval, a new Message is sent containing the
fields that changed. Processing of interval data is the same as processing non-interval updates.
Publishing
The Bloomberg API allows customer applications to publish page-based and record-based data as well as consume it.
Customer data can be published for distribution within the customer’s enterprise, contributed to the Bloomberg
infrastructure, distributed to others or used for warehousing. This is done via the suitable Bloomberg Platform product.
Publishing applications might simply broadcast data or they can be “interactive,” responding to feedback from the
infrastructure about the currently active subscriptions of data consumers. Contributions and local publishing/subscribing
via the Bloomberg Platform are outside the scope of this course and will be discussed in their own course.
In the case of the first two paradigms, the service usually defines which paradigm is used to access it. For example, the
streaming real-time market data service (//blp/mktdata) uses the Subscription paradigm, whereas the reference data
service (//blp/refdata) uses the Request/Response paradigm.

 Note: Applications that make heavy use of real-time market data should use the streaming real-time market data
service. However, real-time information is available through the reference data service requests, which include the
current value in the response.

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2. Subscription Overview
Subscriptions are ideal for data that changes frequently and/or at unpredictable intervals. Instead of repeatedly polling for
the current value, the application gets the latest value as soon as it is available without spending time and bandwidth if
there have been no changes. This module contains more details on how to start, modify and stop subscriptions as well as
what to expect as the result of a subscription and how to handle those results.
Currently, the subscription-based Bloomberg API core services are market data (//blp/mktdata), market bar (//blp/mktbar)
and Custom VWAP (//blp/mktvwap). Some subscription-based services are only available for B-PIPE users, such as
market depth, market list and source reference data. In the future, the Bloomberg API may support delivering information
other than market data through a subscription service.
This section offers a demonstration of how to subscribe to streaming data and handle its data responses.
Following are the basic steps to subscribe to market data:
1. Establish a connection to the product’s communication server using the Session.Start method.
2. Open the “//blp/mktdata” service using the Session.OpenService method.
3. Build the subscription. For C/C++ API or Java API: Create a SubscriptionList object, which is a list of subscriptions
used when subscribing and unsubscribing. Using its add method, add one security, along with one or more fields,
desired options (e.g., Interval, Delayed) and a correlation identifier. For .NET API: Declare and instantiate a Generic
List variable of Subscriptions and then add a new Subscription object to it for each subscription.
4. Submit the SubscriptionList or Generic List variable using the Session.subscribe method.
5. Handle the data and status responses, either synchronously or asynchronously, which are then returned as Events.
An Event containing data will be identified by an Event type of SUBSCRIPTION_DATA, while a status Message will
be of type SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS.

2.1. SUBSCRIPTION LIFE CYCLE

The life cycle of a subscription has several key points:
 Startup: Subscriptions are started by the subscribe method of Session. An Event object is generated to report the
successful creation of any subscriptions and separate Events for each failure, if any.
 Data Delivery: Data is delivered in Event objects of type SUBSCRIPTION_DATA. Each Event has one or more
Messages and each Message object has one or more correlation IDs to identify the associated subscriptions. Since
each Message object may contain more data than requested in any individual subscription (with the exception of B-
PIPE customers, who have had field filtering enabled and will, therefore, only receive the fields they subscribed), the
code managing each subscription must be prepared to extract its data of interest from the Message object. Note:
Customer applications must not rely on the delivery of data that was not explicitly requested in the subscription.
 Modification: A list of subscriptions (each identified by its correlation ID) can be modified by the resubscribe method
of the Session.
 Cancellation: Subscriptions (each identified by its correlation ID) can be cancelled by the unsubscribe method of the
Session.
 Failure: A subscription failure (e.g., a server-side failure) is indicated by an Event of type SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS
containing a Message to describe the problem.

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2.2. STARTING A SUBSCRIPTION

There are four parts to creating a subscription; however, several have default values:
 The service name (for example, “//blp/mktdata”). If users do not specify the service name, the
defaultSubscriptionService of the SessionOptions object is used.

 The topic. In the case of “//blp/mktdata,” the topic value consists of an optional symbology identifier followed by
an instrument identifier. For example, “/cusip/ 097023105” and “/sedol1/2108601” include the symbology
identifier, whereas “IBM US Equity” omits the symbology identifier. If users do not specify the symbology identifier,
then the defaultTopicPrefix of the SessionOptions object is used.

 Note: The topic’s form may be different for different subscription services.
 The options. These are qualifiers that can affect the content delivered. Examples in “//blp/mktdata” include
specifying an interval for conflated data.
 The correlation ID. Data for each subscription is tagged with a correlation ID (represented as a CorrelationID object)
that must be unique to the Session. The customer application can specify that value when the subscription is created.
If the customer application does not specify a correlation ID, the Bloomberg infrastructure will supply a suitable value;
however, in practice, the internally generated correlation ID is rarely used. Most customer applications assign
meaningful correlation IDs that allow the mapping of incoming data to the originating request or subscription.
A user can represent any subscription as a single string that includes the service name, topic and options. For example:
 “//blp/mktdata/cusip/097023105?fields=LAST_PRICE,LAST_TRADE_ACTUAL” represents a subscription
using the market data service to an instrument (BA) specified by CUSIP where any changes to the fields
LAST_PRICE or LAST_TRADE_ACTUAL from the Bloomberg data model should generate an update.

 “IBM US Equity?fields=BID,ASK&interval=2” represents a subscription using the market data service to an

instrument (IBM) specified by Bloomberg Ticker where any changes to the fields BID or ASK from the Bloomberg data
model should generate an update subject to conflation restriction of at least two seconds between updates. In this
case, the assumption is that the Session has a defaultSubscriptionService of “//blp/mktdata” and a
defaultTopicPrefix of “ticker/”.

The Bloomberg API provides methods that accept the subscription specification as a single string as well as methods that
specify the different elements of the subscription as separate parameters. Subscriptions are typically manipulated in
groups, so the Bloomberg API provides methods that operate on a list of subscriptions. This example shows subscription
creation by several of these methods.

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……
SubscriptionList subscriptions = new
SubscriptionList(); CorrelationID subscriptionID_IBM =
new CorrelationId(10); subscriptions.add(new
Subscription("IBM US Equity",

"LAST_TRADE",
subscriptionID_IBM)));
subscriptions.add(new Subscription("/ticker/GOOG US Equity",

"BID,ASK,LAST_PRICE",
new CorrelationID(20)));
subscriptions.add(new Subscription("MSFT US Equity",

"LAST_PRICE",
"interval=.5",
new CorrelationID(30)));
subscriptions.add(new Subscription(
"/cusip/097023105?fields=LAST_PRICE&interval=5.0", //BA US
Equity new CorrelationID(40)));

session.subscribe(subscriptions);
………

 NOTE: SubscriptionList in C# is simply an alias to

System.Collections.Generic.List<Bloomberglp.Blpapi.Subscription>, created with:
using SubscriptionList =
System.Collections.Generic.List<Bloomberglp.Blpapi.Subscripti
on>; SubscriptionList sl = new SubscriptionList();

sl.Add(new Subscription("4444 US Equity"));

Subscribing to this list of subscriptions returns an Event of type SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS consisting of a Message
object of type SubscriptionStarted for each CorrelationID. For example, the user-defined “dump” method used in previous
examples shows:

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eventType=SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS messageType=SubscriptionStarted
CorrelationID=User: 10 SubscriptionStarted = {
}
messageType=SubscriptionStarted CorrelationID=User: 20 SubscriptionStarted =
{
}
messageType=SubscriptionStarted CorrelationID=User: 30 SubscriptionStarted =
{
}
messageType=SubscriptionStarted CorrelationID=User: 40 SubscriptionStarted =
{
}

In case of an error, an Event is available to report the subscriptions that failed. For example, if the specification for MSFT
(CorrelationID 30) above was mistyped (MSFTT),that would result in the following Event:

eventType=SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS
messageType=SubscriptionFailure
CorrelationID=User: 30
SubscriptionFailure = {

reason = {
source =
BBDB@p111
errorCode = 2
category =
BAD_SEC

description = Invalid security

}
}

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2.3. BUILDING A SUBSCRIPTION

Several typical subscription parts have default values:
• Service Name (e.g., “//blp/mktdata”): If the service name is not specified, the defaultSubscriptionService of the
SessionOptions object is used, which is “//blp/mktdata”.

• Topic: In the case of “//blp/mktdata,” the topic value consists of an optional topic prefix followed by an instrument
identifier. For example, “/cusip/097023105” and “/sedol1/2108601” include the topic prefix, whereas “IBM US
Equity” omits the topic prefix. If the topic prefix is not specified, the defaultTopicPrefix of the SessionOptions object is
used, which is “/ticker” by default. Therefore, if using a ticker, such as IBM, the security string would be “IBM US
Equity,” with the “/ticker” topic prefix is implied. Note: The topic’s form may be different for different subscription
services.
• Fields: API fields define the type of data to retrieve for the specified topic. These are required, comma-delimited and
are prefixed with a question mark immediately following the topic. Make sure that the fields being used are real-time
fields, indicated by white text on {FLDS <GO>} on the Bloomberg Professional® service. Otherwise, an invalid field
error within the response for that security’s subscription will be returned.
• Options: These are optional qualifiers that can affect the content delivered. Examples for
“//blp/mktdata” include specifying an interval for conflated data (i.e., interval=n, where n is measured in seconds) or
indicating receipt of delayed data, which is accomplished via the “delayed” option. They are prefixed by an ampersand
(&). If using the “//blp/mktvwap” service, specify one or more override field/value pairings. If using the Desktop API,
the “useGMT” option can be used—that will ensure that all time data being returned is converted to GMT/UTC. This
option is available only for the Desktop API because the streaming data is initially being adjusted based on the
Bloomberg Professional service’s {TZDF <GO>} settings. All other products will default to receiving time-specific
streaming data in GMT/UTC (unadjusted).
• Correlation ID (optional): Data for each subscription is tagged with a correlation ID, represented as a CorrelationID
object, that must be unique to the session. The customer application can specify that value when the subscription is
created. If the customer application does not specify a correlation ID, the Bloomberg infrastructure will supply a
suitable value. In practice, the internally generated correlation ID is rarely used. Most customer applications assign
meaningful correlation IDs that allow the mapping of incoming data to the originating request or subscription.

2.4. EXAMPLE OF BUILDING A SUBSCRIPTION

The Bloomberg API provides class methods that accept the subscription specification as a single string as well as
methods wherein the different elements of the subscription are specified as separate parameters. Subscriptions are
typically manipulated in groups so Bloomberg provides methods that operate on a list of subscriptions. To start with some
sample subscription strings:

“//blp/mktdata/cusip/097023105?fields=LAST_PRICE,LAST_TRADE_ACTUAL”: Represents a subscription

using the market data service for an instrument (Boeing Co.) specified by CUSIP where any changes to the fields
LAST_PRICE or LAST_TRADE_ACTUAL from the Bloomberg data model should generate an update.

“IBM US Equity?fields=BID,ASK&interval=2”: Represents a subscription using the market data service to an

instrument (IBM) specified by a Bloomberg Ticker where any changes to the fields BID or ASK from the Bloomberg data
model should generate an update subject to conflation restriction of at least two seconds between updates. In this case,
based on the assumption that the Session has a defaultSubscriptionService of “//blp/mktdata” and a defaultTopicPrefix of
“ticker/”.

“GOOG US Equity?fields=LAST_PRICE,BID,ASK&delayed”: Represents a delayed subscription using the market

data service to an instrument (GOOG) specified by a Bloomberg Ticker where any changes to the fields LAST_PRICE,
BID or ASK from the Bloomberg data model should generate a delayed update. As in the previous example, based on the
assumption that the Session has a defaultSubscriptionService of “//blp/mktdata” and a defaultTopicPrefix of
“ticker/.”

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As an alternative to representing a subscription as a single string that includes the service name, topic, fields and options,
the subscription string can be broken down into separate parameters. In the following example, subscriptions are created
using both methods:

const char *security1 = “IBM US Equity”;

const char *security2 = “/cusip/912828GM6@BGN”;
SubscriptionList subscriptions;
subscriptions.add(security1,
"BID,ASK,LAST_PRICE",
"interval=3",
CorrelationID((char *)security2));
subscriptions.add(security2,
"LAST_PRICE",
"interval=.5",
CorrelationID(10));
subscriptions.add(security1,
"LAST_PRICE",
“delayed”);
CorrelationID(20));
subscriptions.add("/cusip/097023105?fields=LAST_PRICE&interval=5.0",
//BA Equity
CorrelationID(30));
subscriptions.add("//blp/mktdata/isin/US0970231058?fields=LAST_PRICE&in
terval=5.0", //BA Equity
CorrelationID(40));
session.subscribe(subscriptions);

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BLOOMBERG OPEN API – CORE DEVELOPER GUIDE

2.5. SUBSCRIPTION METHOD

The Subscribe method is a member of the Session class and is used to submit a list of subscriptions to be filled by the
Bloomberg Data Center along with a user’s Identity object if required.
Add one or more subscriptions to the subscription list utilizing any of the ADD method overloads of the SubscriptionList
class. The SubscriptionList object is then submitted via the Subscribe method. The two method overload definitions are:
void blpapi::Session::subscribe(const SubscriptionList &subList,
const char *requestLabel=0, int requestLabelLen=0)
void blpapi::Session::subscribe(const SubscriptionList &subList, const Identity &ID,
const char *requestLabel=0, int requestLabelLen=0)
Begin subscriptions for each entry in the specified SubscriptionList using the specified identity for authorization. Optional
requestLabel and requestLabelLen define a string that will be recorded along with any diagnostics for this operation.
There must be at least requestLabelLen printable characters at the location requestLabel. A SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS
Event will be generated for each entry in the SubscriptionList.
Several supporting methods are available to resend, modify and cancel an existing subscription.
.NET API Developers
Unlike when working with the Java and C++ API interfaces—instead of using the subscriptionList object, instantiate a
Generic List variable of Subscriptions and then add a new Subscription object to it for each subscription.

2.6. SUBSCRIPTION STATUS MESSAGES

Irrespective of handling Messages synchronously or asynchronously, the status subscription Messages that are returned
are captured in the same manner. This is done by handling the Event object’s SESSION_STATUS, SERVICE_STATUS,
SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS, and AUTHORIZATION_STATUS messages.
A SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS Event type, for instance, may contain a SubscriptionStarted or SubscriptionFailure Message
type.
Notes:
 When using an asynchronous Session, the application must be aware that because the callbacks are generated from
another thread, they may be processed before the call that generates them has returned. For example, the
SESSION_STATUS Event generated by a startAsync may be processed before startAsync has returned (even though
startAsync itself will not block).
 Subscription data Messages are also handled in this same event handler. They were omitted in the code for simplicity.
Following is the skeleton status code placed within the Event handler. In this case, the messages are handled
asynchronously inside the Session’s processEvent handler:

<C++>
public void processEvent(Event event, Session session) {
switch (event.eventType())
{
case Event::SERVICE_STATUS: {

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// If service opened successfully, send request.

break;
}
case Event::SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS: {
// If subscription fails, then perform appropriate action
break;
}
case Event::AUTHORIZATION_REQUEST:
// If authorization was successful, perform next action.
break;
}
default: {
// Handle unexpected response.
break;
}
}
}
Following is the processing of the Event returned for starting the Session. If successful, the code will attempt to open the
needed service. Since the openServiceAsync method generates an exception on failure, but processEvent is not allowed
to omit an exception, that call must be surrounded by a try-catch block. In event of failure, the example chooses to
terminate the process.

<C++>
Case Event::SESSION_STATUS: {
MessageIterator iter = event.messageIterator();
while (iter.hasNext()) {
Message message = iter.next();
if (message.messageType().equals("SessionStarted")) {
try {
session.openServiceAsync("//blp/mktdata",
CorrelationID(99));
} catch (Exception &e) {
std::cerr << "Could not open //blp/mktdata for async";
std::exit(-1);

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}
} else {
// Handle error.
}
}
break;
}
On receipt of a SERVICE_STATUS type Event, the Messages are searched for one indicating that the openServiceAsync
call was successful. The Message type must be “ServiceOpened” and the correlation ID must match the value assigned
when the request was sent.
If the service was successfully opened, users can create, initialize and send a request. The only difference is that the call
to subscribe must be guarded against the transmission of exceptions—not a concern until now.

<C++>
public void processEvent(Event event, Session session) {
switch (event.eventType())
{
case Event::SERVICE_STATUS: {
// If service opened successfully, send request.
break;
}
case Event::SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS: {
// If subscription fails, then perform appropriate action
break;
}
case Event::AUTHORIZATION_REQUEST:
// If authorization was successful, perform next action.
break;
}
default: {
// Handle unexpected response.
break;
}
}

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2.7. SUBSCRIPTION DATA MESSAGES

Once a subscription has started, the application will receive updates for the requested data in the form of Messages
contained within Event objects of type SUBSCRIPTION_DATA. Within each Message there is a CorrelationID to identify
the subscription that requested the data.
The “//blp/mktdata” service typically responds with Messages that have more data than was requested for the
subscription. In this example, only updates to the LAST_TRADE field of IBM were requested in the subscription
corresponding to CorrelationID 10. Applications must be prepared to extract the data they need and to discard the rest.
Here is a sample dump of a subscription data Message:

eventType=SUBSCRIPTION_DATA
messageType=MarketDataEvents
CorrelationID=User: 10
MarketDataEvents = {
LAST_PRICE = 212.64
BID = 212.63
ASK = 212.64
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = SUMMARY
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE = INITPAINT
IS_DELAYED_STREAM = false

…
In the above output, the Event type is “SUBSCRIPTION_DATA”. This is the Event type handled in the code.
The next step would be taking a deeper look into a subscription-based data event handler. Displayed below is the partial
code sample that handles those particular subscription Messages. The handleOtherEvent function definition has been
removed for brevity.

<C++>
#include <blpapi_correlationid.h>
#include <blpapi_event.h>
#include <blpapi_message.h>
#include <blpapi_request.h>
#include <blpapi_session.h>
#include <blpapi_subscriptionlist.h>

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#include <iostream>
using namespace BloombergLP;
using namespace blpapi;
static void handleDataEvent(const Event& event, int updateCount)
{
std::cout << "EventType=" << event.eventType() << std::endl;
std::cout << "updateCount = " << updateCount << std::endl;
MessageIterator iter(event);
while (iter.next()) {
Message message = iter.message();
std::cout << "correlationId = " << message.correlationId() <<
std::endl;
std::cout << "messageType = " << message.messageType() << std::endl;
message.print(std::cout);
}
}
int main(int argc, char **argv)
{
SessionOptions sessionOptions;
sessionOptions.setServerHost("localhost");
sessionOptions.setServerPort(8194);
Session session(sessionOptions);
if (!session.start()) {
std::cerr <<"Failed to start session." << std::endl;
return 1;
}
if (!session.openService("//blp/mktdata")) {
std::cerr <<"Failed to open //blp/mktdata" << std::endl;
return 1;
}
CorrelationId subscriptionId((long long)2);
SubscriptionList subscriptions;
subscriptions.add("AAPL US Equity", "LAST_PRICE", "", subscriptionId);

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session.subscribe(subscriptions);
int updateCount = 0;
while (true) {
Event event = session.nextEvent();
switch (event.eventType()) {
case Event::SUBSCRIPTION_DATA:
handleDataEvent(event, updateCount++);
break;
default:
handleOtherEvent(event); // This function, if shown,
// would handle Status messages,
// such as session terminated,
// and so forth
break;
}
}
return 0;
}
In the previous code sample, it is important to observe the following:
 The tick data from the subscribe call is being handled in synchronous mode. This is determined by the combination of
the nextEvent call and the fact that no EventHandler is being provided to the Session object when it is being created.
Remember that if nextEvent is called when an EventHandler is provided, then an exception will be thrown.

 When the Event type is Event::SUBSCRIPTION_DATA, the handleDataEvent method is then called where a
MessageIterator is created and used to iterate over the Message objects within the Event.
 The Event type and counter are then printed and, for each tick update, the correlation ID, Message type and tick data
dump are also sent to std::cout.
 The correlation ID in this case will be the value of the subscriptionId variable that was sent with the subscription. In an
application with more than the one security being subscribed, assign a different correlation id to each SubscriptionList
item and use them to map the tick update to the actual subscription that was sent.
 Not displayed in this code snippet is the handleOtherEvent method code.

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2.8. SUBSCRIPTION ERRORS/EXCEPTIONS

When handling the subscription status Messages, a “reason” Message type denotes a subscription failure. If an
“exceptions” Message type is received, this usually means that at least one field was valid while others were invalid. In the
latter case, check the number of exceptions and determine the invalid field(s) in the handler. Following is sample code
that demonstrates how to handle a “reason” Message type:

<C++>
if (msg.hasElement(“reason”)) {
Element reason = msg.getElement(“reason”);
fprintf(stdout, " %s: %s\n",
reason.getElement(“category”).getValueAsString(),
reason.getElement(“description”).getValueAsString());
}

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Following is a sample printout of a “reason” Message that includes the category and description:

SubscriptionFailure = {
reason = {
category = BAD_SEC
description = Invalid security
}
}

Following is sample code that demonstrates how to handle an “exceptions” Message type:

<C++>
if (msg.hasElement(“exceptions”)) {
Element exceptions = msg.getElement(“exceptions”);
for (size_t i = 0; i < exceptions.numValues(); ++i) {
Element exInfo = exceptions.getValueAsElement(i);
Element fieldId = exInfo.getElement(“fieldId”);
Element reason = exInfo.getElement(“reason”);
fprintf(stdout, " %s: %s\n",
fieldId.getValueAsString(),
reason.getElement(“category”).getValueAsString());
}
}

2.9. MODIFYING AN EXISTING SUBSCRIPTION

Once a subscription has been created, the options can be modified (e.g., to change the fields in the subscription) using
the resubscribe method of the Session.

 Note: Use of the resubscribe method is generally preferred to cancelling the subscription (unsubscribe
method) and creating a new subscription because updates might be missed between the unsubscribe and
subscribe calls.
The resubscribe method accepts a SubscriptionList. For example, let’s say that users initially subscribed to “IBM US
Equity” along with LAST_PRICE and BID, passing subscriptionID_IBM as the correlation identifier. This would look
like the following:

SubscriptionList subscriptions = new SubscriptionList;

subscriptions.add("IBM US Equity", "LAST_PRICE, BID", subscriptionID_IBM);
session.subscribe(subscriptions);

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If users would like to modify that subscription and remove the LAST_PRICE field, retain the BID field and add the ASK
field, the following code fragment can be used:

SubscriptionList subscriptions = new SubscriptionList;

subscriptions.add("IBM US Equity", "BID,ASK", subscriptionID_IBM));
session.resubscribe(subscriptions);
In the above code snippet, BID was included in the initial subscription, so it will continue being subscribed, while
LAST_PRICE will be unsubscribed and ASK will be subscribed. This resubscribed list will simply replace the initial one
made under the same correlation identifier.

 Note: The client receives an Event object indicating successful resubscription (or not) before receipt of any
data from that subscription. Also, the behavior is undefined if the topic of the subscription (e.g., the security
itself) is changed.

2.10. STOPPING A SUBSCRIPTION

The Bloomberg API provides a cancel method that will cancel a single subscription (specified by its CorrelationID) and
another method (unsubscribe) that will cancel a list of subscriptions. The following code fragment utilizes the unsubscribe
method to cancel all of the subscriptions created earlier:

SubscriptionList subscriptions = new SubscriptionList;

for (int id = 10; id <= 40; id += 10) {
subscriptions.add("IBM US Equity", new CorrelationID(id));
// Note: The topic string is ignored for unsubscribe.
}
session.unsubscribe(subscriptions);

 Note: No Event is generated for unsubscribe.

2.11. OVERLAPPING SUBSCRIPTIONS

An application may make subscriptions that “overlap.”
One form of overlap occurs when a single incoming update may be relevant to more than one subscription. For example,
two or more subscriptions may specify the updates for the same data item. This can easily happen inadvertently by “topic
aliasing”, where one subscription specifies a security by ticker, the other by CUSIP.
Another form of overlap occurs when separate data items intended for different subscriptions on the customer application
process arrive in the same Message object. For example, the Bloomberg infrastructure can improve performance by
packaging two data items within the same Message object. This can occur when a customer’s application process has
made two separate subscriptions, where one includes a request for “IBM US Equity” and “LAST_TRADE,” while the
second includes “IBM US Equity” and “LAST_TRADE”.
The customer application developer can specify how the Bloomberg API should handle overlapping subscriptions. The
behavior is controlled by the allowMultipeCorrelatorsPerMsg option to the SessionOptions object accepted by the Session
constructor.

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If the allowMultipeCorrelatorsPerMsg option is false (the default), then a Message object that matches more than one
subscription will be returned multiple times from the MessageIterator, each time with a single, different CorrelationID.
If the allowMultipleCorrelatorsPerMsg object is true, then a Message object that matches more than one subscription will
be returned just once from the MessageIterator. The customer application developer must supply logic to examine the
multiple CorrelationID values (see the numCorrelationIds and correlationIDAt methods of the Message class) and
dispatch the appropriate data to the correct application software.

2.12. RECEIVING DATA FROM A SUBSCRIPTION

Once a subscription has started, the application will receive updates for the requested data in Message objects arriving as
Event objects of type SUBSCRIPTION_DATA. With each Message, there is a CorrelationID to identify the subscription that
requested the data.
The “//blp/mktdata” service typically responds with Messages that have more data than was requested for the
subscription. In this example, only updates to the LAST_TRADE field of IBM were requested in the subscription
corresponding to CorrelationID 10.
Applications must be prepared to extract the data that they need and to discard the rest.

 For additional information, refer to “"//blp/mktdata” service.

eventType=SUBSCRIPTION_DATA
messageType=MarketDataEvents
CorrelationID=User: 10
MarketDataEvents = {

IND_BID_FLAG = false
IND_ASK_FLAG = false
IS_DELAYED_STREAM = true
TIME =
14:34:44.000+00:00

VOLUME = 7589155
RT_OPEN_INTEREST = 8339549
RT_PX_CHG_PCT_1D = -0.32

VOLUME_TDY = 7589155
LAST_PRICE = 118.15
HIGH = 118.7
LOW = 116.6
LAST_TRADE = 118.15
OPEN = 117.5
PREV_SES_LAST_PRICE
P = 118.53
EQY_TURNOVER_REALTIME
R = 8.93027456E8
RT_PX_CHG_NET_1D
E = -0.379999
V
OPEN_TDY = 117.5
_
S
LAST_PRICE_TDY = 118.15
E
HIGH_TDY
S = 118.7
_
LOW_TDY = 116.6
L
RT_API_MACHINE = p240
A
S
T
_
P
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R
I
C
BLOOMBERG OPEN API – CORE DEVELOPER GUIDE

API_MACHINE = p240
RT_PRICING_SOURCE =
US EXCH_CODE_LAST = D
EXCH_CODE_BID = O

SES_START = 09:30:00.000+00:00
SES_END = 16:30:00.000+00:00
}

2.13. SNAPSHOT REQUESTS FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS

For applications that require data on an on-demand basis from subscription services, snapshot functionality is available.In
this type of request, a subscription is created, but messages are sent to the application only when called. This reduces
latency for receiving the latest data when compared to starting a new subscription each time.
A RequestTemplate is used to maintain the subscription for snapshot, which remains open and updating until the template
is canceled as per any subscription. Responses to the snapshot request are the same as a regular subscription with the
event type “Summary”, and the event subtype “INITPAINT”.
NOTE: This is only available in Enterprise Products
CODE EXAMPLE
A code example is available in the C++, Java, and .NET SDK as SnapshotRequestTemplateExample:
<C++>

//Create template for request

std::vector<RequestTemplate> snapshots;
std::string subscriptionString(d_service + d_topic + fieldsStr);
snapshots.push_back(session.createSnapshotRequestTemplate(
subscriptionString.c_str(),
CorrelationId(d_topic),
subscriptionIdentity));

// Request snapshot based on a specific template

session.sendRequest(snapshots[0], correlationID(0));

3. Subscription Classes
Before delving deeper into the various classes and class members available via the API libraries, it is important to have a
high-level understanding of the typical structure of a Bloomberg API application and how it may differ depending upon the
product used. This module will describe the core components that make up a typical Bloomberg API application.
The two API classes that are responsible for both connecting users application to their Bloomberg API product’s
communication server process and performing the necessary authentication, authorization and data request duties are
SessionOptions and Session, which will be covered next.

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3.1. SESSIONOPTIONS CLASS

The SessionOptions class is used to create well-defined defaults for various options. Following is a list of a few of the
important methods/properties of this class. Note that there may be slight differences in the names of some of the class
members depending upon the API language interface used:
SERVERHOST
Read/write property representing the host-name or the IP address of where the communication process is running. The
default is “localhost”.
SERVERPORT
Read/write property representing the port number of the communication process. The default is 8194.
DEFAULTSUBSCRIPTIONSERVICE
Read/write property representing the name of the service to be used by default for subscriptions. The default is
“//blp/mktdata”.
DEFAULTTOPICPREFIX
Read/write property representing the name of the topic prefix to be used for subscriptions if one is not provided. The
default is “/ticker”.
AUTORESTARTONDISCONNECTION
Read/write property that accepts a Boolean value and determines whether the session is automatically restarted if there is
a connection failure. Set the NumStartAttempts property in tandem with this property.
ALLOWMULTIPLECORRELATORSPERMSG
Read/write property that accepts a Boolean value and allows a data response comprising multiple correlators.
SERVERADDRESSES (SERVER API, B-PIPE, PLATFORM)
Read/write property used in tandem with the ServerAddress class; used to set one or more port and host pairings that will
be used in order if the connection is lost to the primary host/port.
AUTHENTICATIONOPTIONS (B-PIPE)
Method used for both user and application authentication. In this method, pass a string, which specifies the
AuthenticationType, for a user (choices are OS_LOGON and DIRECTORY_SERVICE) and AuthenticationMode and
ApplicationAuthenticationType parameters with values of APPLICATION_ONLY and APPNAME_AND_KEY, respectively,
for an application.
The authentication and permissioning systems of Server API and B-PIPE require use of the //blp/apiauth service. This
defines the requests and responses that will come from the API.
The SessionOptions class is used to set the Session parameters prior to making the connection to the Bloomberg
Communication Server (bbcomm, Server API, B-PIPE) process. The SessionOptions class is then used as an argument
when creating an instance of the Session object.
 Note for Desktop API Developers: Desktop API developers will rarely need to use the SessionOptions object in their
application as they always connect to BBComm, which runs on the same PC as the Bloomberg Professional service
(localhost) and usually connects on port 8194, which are the defaults of the ServerHost and ServerPort properties,
respectively.

3.2. SESSION CLASS

The Session class provides a session for establishing a connection along with data-request–related tasks. Following are
important constructor overloads:
 Session(SessionOptions sessionOptions): Creates a Session with the specified Session Options
 Session(SessionOptions sessionOptions, EventHandler handler): Creates a Session with the specified Session
Options and dispatches Events on this Session to the specified handler.

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Important methods of the Session class that are used by all API products include:
START
This establishes a connection with the product’s communication server process. It issues a blocking call to start the
Session.
STOP
This stops the operation of the Session.
OPENSERVICE
It opens the service having the specified URI (e.g., “//blp/refdata”, “//blp/mktdata”, etc).

GETSERVICE
This service returns a handle to a Bloomberglp.Blpapi.Service object representing the service identified by the specified
URI. This method is not used for a subscription-based request (e.g., “//blp/mktdata”).

SENDREQUEST
This sends a completed request to the service, including “//blp/refdata”, “//blp/apiflds” and “//blp/tasvc”.

SUBSCRIBE
This sends a subscription list to be subscribed. It is used for services such as “//blp/mktdata”, “//blp/mktvwap”,
and “//blp/mktbar”.

RESUBSCRIBE
Modifies each subscription in the specified SubscriptionList (for C++ API and Java) or generic List<Subscription> (for Java
API and .NET API) to reflect the modified options specified.
UNSUBSCRIBE
Cancels previous requests for asynchronous topic updates associated with the CorrelationIDs listed in the specified
SubscriptionList (for C++ API and Java) or generic List<Subscription> (for Java API and .NET API).
CREATESNAPSHOTREQUESTTEMPLATE
Creates template to be used for snapshot subscription requests.
CANCEL
Cancels outstanding subscriptions, templates or requests represented by the specified CorrelationIDs or generic
List<CorrelationID>.
Following are a few of the important methods of the Session class needed by the enterprise API products (Server API,
Platform and B-PIPE):
GENERATETOKEN
Requests a token string for the specified application and/or user entered in EMRS, which is then used for authorization.
SENDAUTHORIZATIONREQUEST
Sends a completed authorization request to the authorization service (“//blp/apiauth”).
CREATEIDENTITY
Returns an identity that is valid but not authorized.

3.3. ESTABLISHING A CONNECTION

In most cases, both the Session and SessionOptions classes will be used to establish a connection between an
application and the communication server process associated with the product (e.g., serverapi, bbcomm, etc.). Take a
look at the accompanying slide for a code sample for establishing a connection.
As mentioned earlier, a Desktop API application will always connect to bbcomm, which will be running on the same PC on
port 8194. Since the default values of the ServerHost and ServerPort properties of the SessionOptions object are
“localhost” and 8194, respectively, a Desktop API application would not be required to set them. In fact, it is not

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uncommon to find a Desktop API application that does not use this class object for this reason, but may call its other class
members.
This is not the case for the enterprise API products, which will require that at least one of these two properties be set or
possibly not used at all. In place of those two properties, an enterprise application wishing to handle failover situations
would use the ServerAddresses and AutoRestartOnDisconnection members of the SessionOptions class. If the
connection is lost to the primary host/server, the application will connect to the next pairing specified by the
ServerAddresses property. To use this property, the AutoRestartOnDisconnection property must be set to true (default is
false). Failover will be covered in detail within the Enterprise documentation.
In an Enterprise application that is not handling failover, the ServerHost and ServerPort properties will be set. For
instance, if the serverapi process was installed on a Windows, Solaris or Linux box with the defaults, it will most likely be
listening on port 8194, which is the default of the SessionOptions.ServerPort property as previously mentioned. Since the
server process is probably not installed on the same machine as the application (unless possibly testing on a
development machine), the SessionOptions.ServerHost property will not be the default “localhost” value.
Once the required properties are set, the SessionOptions object will be used when instantiating the Session object. The
settings will take effect when the Session.Start method is called on to establish a connection between the application and
the communication server process.

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4. Data Requests
STREAMING DATA (MARKET DATA)
Real-time and/or delayed streaming tick data is retrieved by subscribing to or monitoring a list of securities and real-time
fields. Once a subscription is made, continuous or intervalized tick updates will be sent from the Bloomberg Data Center
until the user cancels or unsubscribes from that subscription. The Subscribe method will be used.
PER REQUEST DATA (REFERENCE DATA / BULK DATA)
Data retrieved by sending a Request object via the SendRequest method. Per request data comprises of values for the
requested securities/fields at that moment in time, assuming the user has real-time entitlements to that data. Otherwise,
delayed values will be received. Static fields (e.g., PX_LAST instead of LAST_PRICE, where the latter is a real-time field)
should be used. However, real-time fields will also work in this type of request as each has an equivalent static field.
Bulk data is also a of data, but it is represented by more than one piece of data and requires special handling. For
instance, “COMPANY_ADDRESS” is a bulk field and returns multiple lines of information. Bulk fields are identified on
{FLDS <GO>} by the “Show Bulk Data…” text in its Value column. For both types of data, a Request object of type
“ReferenceDataRequest” is created.
This can be tested by loading “IBM US Equity” on the Bloomberg Professional service, running {FLDS <GO>} in the same
window and entering “company address” in the yellow query field below the security and pressing {<GO>}.
HISTORICAL DATA
Data represented by a single point of data for each day specified in the date range of the historical request. Use the
SendRequest method to make this request. A Request object of type “HistoricalDataRequest” will be created. Before
submitting the Request object to Bloomberg, add any securities and (historical) fields, a start and end date range, and set
any applicable elements to customize the request. For instance, to only receive data for trading days or data for all
calendar days, fill in the non-trading days with the previous trading day’s value.
INTRADAY DATA
Data available as:
 Tick data — Each tick over a defined period of time
 Bar data — A series of intraday summaries over a defined period of time for a security and Event type pair

In both cases, pass the request using the SendRequest method, but only specify one security for each
Request object submitted. For intraday ticks, create an object of type “IntradayTickRequest.” For bars, create an object of
type “IntradayBarRequest.”

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5. Bloomberg Services
There are two Core service schemas and several additional services that are common to all or some of the API products.
SERVICES
1. Market Data — //blp/mktdata: Used when subscribing to streaming real-time and delayed market data.

2. Reference Data — //blp/refdata: Used when requesting reference data such as pricing, historical/time-series and
intraday bars and ticks.
3. Source Reference — //blp/srcref: Used to subscribe to the source reference and tick-size data available for the
specified entitlement ID.
4. Vwap — //blp/mktvwap: Subscription-based service used when requesting streaming custom Volume-Weighted-
Average-Price data.
5. Market Depth (B-PIPE ONLY) — //blp/mktdepthdata: Market Depth Data service.

6. Market Bar — //blp/mktbar: Subscription-based service used when requesting streaming real-time intraday market
bar data. This service is currently unavailable to B-PIPE users.
7. Market List — //blp/mktlist: Used to perform two types of list data operations. The first is to subscribe to lists of
instruments, known as “chains,” using the “chain” <subservice name> (i.e., //blp/mktlist/chain). The second is to request a
list of all the instruments that match a given topic key using the “secids” <subservice name> (i.e., //blp/mktlist/secids). The
//blp/mktlist service is available to both BPS (Bloomberg Professional service) and NONBPS users.
8. API Fields — //blp/apiflds: Used to perform queries on the API Field Dictionary. It provides functionality similar to
{FLDS <GO>}.
9. Instruments — //blp/instruments: The Instruments service is used to perform three types of operations. The first is
a Security Lookup Request, the second is a Curve Lookup Request and the third is a Government Lookup Request.
10. Page Data — //blp/pagedata: Subscription-based service providing access to GPGX pages and the data they
contain. The GPGX number, the monitor number, the page number and the required rows (fields) must be provided.
11. Technical Analysis — //blp/tasvc: The Technical Analysis service downloads data and brings it into an application
using Bloomberg API.
12. Curves Toolkit — //blp/irdctk3: The CTK (Curves Toolkit) service allows users to interact with interest rate curves
directly and retrieve the data available on the ICVS <GO> function.

5.1. SERVICE SCHEMAS

The role of the schema is to define the format of requests to the service, as well as the Events returned from that service.
Within a service, one or more Event types may exist, each having its own schema. The schema is the shape of the data.
For instance, market data is flat, while reference data is nested (like XML).
Each element has the following properties and attributes:
 Name: The name of the element.
 Status: ACTIVE — Available or INACTIVE — Unavailable
 Type: Data type of that element. This includes SEQUENCE (group), ENUMERATION, BOOL, STRING, etc.
 Minimal Occurrence: 0 — Optional or 1 — Required
 Maximal Occurrence: 1 — Element or –1 — Array

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Description Minimal Maximal

Occurrence Occurrence

Optional Field 0 1
Required Field 1 1
Array 1 –1

5.2. ACCESSING A SERVICE

All Bloomberg data provided by the Bloomberg API is accessed through a “service” (URI), which provides a schema to
define the format of requests to the service and the Events returned from that service. The customer application’s
interface to a Bloomberg service is a Service object.
Accessing a service is normally a two-step process:
1. Open the service using either openService or the openServiceAsync methods of the Session object.
2. Obtain a Service object for the opened service using the getService method of the Session object.
In both steps, the service is identified by its “name,” an ASCII string formatted as:

“//namespace/service”; (for example, “//blp/refdata” for reference data or “//blp/apiauth” for authorization
functions)
Once a service has been successfully opened, it remains available for the lifetime of that Session object.

 Important Note: When making a subscription-based request (via “//blp/mktdata”, “//blp/mktvwap”, or other
subscription-based services), the getService method is not used.
Building upon the code from the establishing a connection section, following is an example of how these service-related
methods might be used.

<C++>
int main()
{
SessionOptions sessionOptions;
sessionOptions.setServerHost("10.10.10.10"); // Or specify machine name
sessionOptions.setServerPort(8194);
//Establish Session
Session session(sessionOptions);
//Attempt to Start Session
if (!session.start()) {
std::cerr <<"Failed to start session." << std::endl;
return 1;
}
//Attempt to open reference data service

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if (!session.openService(“//blp/refdata”))
{
std::cerr << "Failed to open //blp/refdata service" << std::endl;
return 1;
}
Service authorizationService = session.getService(“//blp/refdata”);
}
In the above code, an attempt is made to open the “//blp/refdata” service and then, if successful, the user can call
the getService method to obtain a Service object that will then be used when creating the request object.

5.3. MARKET DATA SERVICE

The Market Data Service (“//blp/mktdata”) enables retrieval of streaming data for securities that are priced intraday by
using the API subscription paradigm. Update Messages are pushed to the subscriber once the field value changes at the
source. These updates can be real time or delayed, based upon the requestors’ exchange entitlements or through setting
a delayed subscription option. All fields desired must be explicitly listed in the subscription to receive their updates.
RESPONSE OVERVIEW
Once a subscription is established, the stream will supply Messages in SUBSCRIPTION_DATA events. The initial
Message returned, known as a “summary” (initial paint) Message, will contain a value for all the available fields specified
in the subscription. Subsequent Messages may contain values for some or all of the requested Bloomberg fields. A
Message might contain none of the requested Bloomberg fields as the Messages are only filtered based on the fields they
could contain rather than the fields they actually contain—many fields in the streaming events are optional. The
Bloomberg API will ensure that all Messages that contain any of the fields explicitly subscribed to will be pushed to the
application. Finally, the stream may return additional fields (not included in the subscription) in these Messages. These
additional fields are not filtered for the purpose of speed, and their inclusion is subject to change at any time. Please note
that B-PIPE users do have the option to enable field filtering, which will result in only the fields subscribed to being
returned. For simplicity, this course will assume that field filtering is not applied.
The following example shows how to subscribe for streaming data.

<C++>
// Assume that session already exists and the "//blp/mktdata" service has
// been successfully opened.
SubscriptionList subscriptions;
subscriptions.add("IBM US Equity",
"LAST_PRICE,BID,ASK",
"");
subscriptions.add("/cusip/912828GM6@BGN",
LAST_PRICE,BID,ASK,BID_YIELD,ASK_YIELD",
"");
session.susbcribe(subscriptions);

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Some of the fields that are returned also have a null state. For example, the fields BID and ASK have values of type float
and usually give positive values that can be used to populate a user’s own caches. However, at times these fields will be
set to a null value. For BID and ASK fields, this is usually interpreted as an instruction to clear the values in the caches. It
is important to test to see if the field is null before trying to retrieve a value from it.
MARKET DATA EVENT TYPES AND SUB-TYPES
There are a number of possible market data Event types and sub-types that a subscription-based application is expected
to handle. When subscribing to market data for a security, the API performs two actions:
• Retrieves and delivers a summary of the current state of the security. A summary consists of data elements
known as ”fields”. The set of summary fields varies depending on the asset class of the requested security.
• The API streams all market data updates as they occur until subscription cancellation. About 300 market data
fields are available via the API subscription interface, most of them derived from trade and quote Events.
An Event of type SUBSCRIPTION_DATA will contain a MessageType of “MarketDataEvents” that contains any of the
following market data Event types (i.e., MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE):
SUMMARY
This market data Event type Message can be any of the following market event sub-types
(MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE):
 INITPAINT — Message is the initial paint, which comprises the most recent value for all the fields specified in the
subscription as well as possibly other fields that were not included in the subscription. The inclusion of these extra
fields is done to enhance performance on the Bloomberg. If the subscription is interval-based (i.e., an interval of n >
0), only SUMMARY INITPAINT Messages will be received every n number of seconds as the header is basically sent
at the interval points with the latest tick values.
 INTRADAY — Message indicates a regular summary Message, usually sent near the beginning of a zero-interval-
based subscription (closely after the INITPAINT SUMMARY messages). It is an update to the INITPAINT Message.
 NEWDAY — Sent from the Bloomberg Data Center to indicate that a new market day has occurred for the particular
instrument subscribed to. It is sent after the market has closed and before the market opens the next day. Many times
the first occurrence of this tick will be received an hour or two after market close. It is possible to receive more than
one such tick between the market close and market open. This is the time where certain fields are re-initialized to
zero, including VOLUME (the total number of securities traded in that day), to prepare for the new day.
 INTERVAL — Returned only when making an interval-based subscription. All messages will be of this type/sub-type.
An INITPAINT Message or any QUOTE- or TRADE-type Messages will not be received.
 DATALOSS — Indicates that data has been lost. The library drops Events when the number of Events outstanding for
delivery exceeds the specified threshold controlled by SessionOptions.maxEventQueueSize. The correlationID
property attached to the DATALOSS Message identifies the affected subscription.
TRADE
This market data Event type indicates that this Event contains a trade Message and can be any of the following market
data sub-types (MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE):
 NEW — Message contains a regular trade tick.
 CANCEL — Message contains a cancellation of a trade.
 CORRECTION — Message contains a correction to a trade.
QUOTE
This market data Event type Message can be any one of the following market Event sub-types
(MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE):
 BID —Single BID-type field inside, along with its applicable value.
 ASK — Single ASK-type field inside, along with its applicable value.

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 MID — Single MID-type field inside, along with its applicable value.
 PAIRED — Both single ASK- and BID-type fields inside, along with their applicable values (available only for the B-
PIPE product).

 For additional information, refer to the “Reference Services and Schemas Guide.”

5.4. REFERENCE DATA SERVICE

The reference data service provides the ability to access the following Bloomberg data with the Request/Response
paradigm:
 Reference Data: Provides the current value of a security/field pair.
 Historical End-of-Day Data: Provides end-of-day data over a defined period of time for a security/field pair.
 Historical Intraday Tick Data: Provides each tick over a defined period of time for a single security and one or more
Event types.
 Historical Intraday Bar Data: Provides a series of intraday summaries over a defined period of time for a single
security and Event type.

 Note: Although other types of data are available under the //blp/refdata service, the aforementioned types
are the most common and will serve as the primary focus of this module.

5.4.1. REQUESTING REFERENCE DATA

The ReferenceDataRequest request type retrieves the current data available for a security/field pair. A list of fields is
available via the Bloomberg Professional service function “FLDS <GO>” or by using the API fields service, which will be
covered later in this module.
A ReferenceDataRequest request must specify at least one or more securities and one or more fields. The API will return
data for each security/field pair or, alternatively, a Message indicating otherwise. This example shows how to construct a
ReferenceDataRequest:

<C++>
// Assume that the //blp/refdata service has already been opened
Service refDataService = session.getService("//blp/refdata");
Request request = refDataService.createRequest("ReferenceDataRequest");
request.append("securities", "IBM US Equity");
request.append("securities", "/cusip/912828GM6@BGN");
request.append("fields", "PX_LAST");
request.append("fields", "DS002");
session.sendRequest(request, null);
Bulk fields and/or overrides can also be included in the request. Due to the array-like format of a bulk field, they are
processed a little differently. This is covered later in the guide.

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5.4.2. HANDLING REFERENCE DATA MESSAGES

A RESPONSE Message will always be returned. For large requests, one or more PARTIAL_RESPONSE Event
Messages will also be returned that will include a subset of the information. A RESPONSE Message indicates the request
has been fully served. This example shows how to process a Reference Data Response:
<C++>
void eventLoop(Session &session)
{
bool done = false;
while (!done) {
Event event = session.nextEvent();
if (event.eventType() == Event::PARTIAL_RESPONSE) {
std::cout << "Processing Partial Response" << std::endl;
processResponseEvent(event);
}
else if (event.eventType() == Event::RESPONSE) {
std::cout << "Processing Response" << std::endl;
processResponseEvent(event);
done = true;
} else {
MessageIterator msgIter(event);
while (msgIter.next()) {
Message msg = msgIter.message();
if (event.eventType() == Event::SESSION_STATUS) {
if (msg.messageType() == SESSION_TERMINATED ||
msg.messageType() == SESSION_STARTUP_FAILURE) {
done = true;
}
}
}
}
}
}
private void processReferenceDataResponse(Message msg) throws Exception {

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MessageIterator msgIter(event);
while (msgIter.next()) {
Message msg = msgIter.message();
Element securities = msg.getElement(SECURITY_DATA);
size_t numSecurities = securities.numValues();
std::cout << "Processing " << (unsigned int)numSecurities
<< " securities:"<< std::endl;
for (size_t i = 0; i < numSecurities; ++i) {
Element security = securities.getValueAsElement(i);
std::string ticker = security.getElementAsString(SECURITY);
std::cout << "\nTicker: " + ticker << std::endl;
if (security.hasElement("securityError")) {
printErrorInfo("\tSECURITY FAILED: ",
security.getElement(SECURITY_ERROR));
continue;
}
if (security.hasElement(FIELD_DATA)) {
const Element fields = security.getElement(FIELD_DATA);
if (fields.numElements() > 0) {
std::cout << "FIELD\t\tVALUE"<<std::endl;
std::cout << "-----\t\t-----"<< std::endl;
size_t numElements = fields.numElements();
for (size_t j = 0; j < numElements; ++j) {
Element field = fields.getElement(j);
std::cout << field.name() << "\t\t" <<
field.getValueAsString() << std::endl;
}
}
}
std::cout << std::endl;
}
}
}

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5.4.3. HANDLING REFERENCE DATA (BULK) MESSAGES

As discussed earlier, certain reference data fields are classified as “bulk fields.” These are indicated on “FLDS <GO>” with
a “Show Bulk Data” Message where the value would normally be displayed in the right-most column. An example bulk
field would be “COMPANY_ADDRESS.” This field, as is the case with all of the API bulk fields, possesses more than one
piece of information (e.g., the company’s full address).
To read a bulk response, additional processing must be implemented in the EventHandler. The method below would be
called once it was determined that the data response contains bulk data. This is determined by checking to see if the field
element being returned is an array. Another way is to check if the DataType of that field is a SEQUENCE type. Either
method can be used.
Here is what the code may look like when determining if bulk data has been received:
<C++>
if (security.hasElement(FIELD_DATA)) {
const Element fields = security.getElement(FIELD_DATA);
if (fields.numElements() > 0) {
cout << "FIELD\t\tVALUE"<<endl;
cout << "-----\t\t-----"<< endl;
size_t numElements = fields.numElements();
for (size_t j = 0; j < numElements; ++j) {
const Element field = fields.getElement(j);
// Checking if the field is Bulk field
if (field.isArray()){
processBulkField(field);
}else{
processRefField(field);
}
}
}
}
Here is the code for processBulkField to read the data from the bulk response:
<C++>
void processBulkField(Element refBulkfield)
{
cout << endl << refBulkfield.name() << endl ;
// Get the total number of Bulk data points
size_t numofBulkValues = refBulkfield.numValues();

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for (size_t bvCtr = 0; bvCtr < numofBulkValues; bvCtr++) {

const Element bulkElement = refBulkfield.getValueAsElement(bvCtr);
// Get the number of sub fields for each bulk data element
size_t numofBulkElements = bulkElement.numElements();
// Read each field in Bulk data
for (size_t beCtr = 0; beCtr < numofBulkElements; beCtr++){
const Element elem = bulkElement.getElement(beCtr);
cout << elem.name() << "\t\t"
<< elem.getValueAsString() << endl;
}
}
}

5.5. SOURCE REFERENCE SERVICE

The Source Reference and Tick Size subscription service (//blp/srcref) is used to subscribe to the source reference
and tick-size data available for the specified entitlement ID. Currently, this is available per EID (FEED_EID). This allows
an application to retrieve the source reference/tick-size information for all the EIDs it is entitled for. This service is
available to both BPS (Bloomberg Professional service) and non-BPS users. The available source reference information
includes:
 All possible values of FEED_SOURCE for the EID and a short description of the source
 Whether or not the source is a composite and all the local sources for composites
 All of the broker codes and names
 All condition codes with a short description
The syntax of the Source Reference subscription string is as follows:
//<service owner>/<service name>/<subservice name>/<topic>

where <topic> is comprised of <topic type>/<topic key>. Table below provides further details.
SOURCE REFERENCE STRING DEFINITIONS
<service owner> For B-PIPE is “blp”
<service name> Source Reference and Tick Size subscription service name is “ /srcref”
<subservice name> /brokercodes, /conditioncodes, /tradingstatuses or /ticksizes

<topic type> /eid

<topic key> EID-Number (FEED_EID1 => FEED_EID4)

Currently four subservices can be used in the subscription string.

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SUBSERVICE DEFINITIONS
Subservice Subscription String Format Description
/brokercodes //blp/srcref/brokercodes/eid/<eid> List of all possible Broker codes for a specified EID

/conditioncodes //blp/srcref/conditioncodes/eid/<eid> List of Market Depth, Quote and Trade Condition codes for a
specified EID

/tradingstatuses //blp/srcref/tradingstatuses/eid/<eid> List of trading statuses and trading periods for a specified
EID
/ticksizes //blp/srcref/ticksizes/eid/<eid> List of Tick Sizes for a specified EID
Filters can be used for /conditioncodes and /tradingstatuses subscription only. Here are the possible filters available for
each:
FILTERS FOR EVENTS
Filter Name (type) Subscription String Format
Subservice Name: /conditioncodes
TRADE //blp/srcref/conditioncodes/eid/<eid>?type=TRADE
QUOTE //blp/srcref/conditioncodes/eid/<eid>?type=QUOTE
MKTDEPTH //blp/srcref/conditioncodes/eid/<eid>?type=MKTDEPTH
TRADE,QUOTE //blp/srcref/conditioncodes/eid/<eid>?type=TRADE,QUOTE
TRADE,MKTDEPTH //blp/srcref/conditioncodes/eid/<eid>?type=TRADE,MKTDEPTH
QUOTE,MKTDEPTH //blp/srcref/conditioncodes/eid/<eid>?type=QUOTE,MKTDEPTH
TRADE,QUOTE,MKTDEPTH //blp/srcref/conditioncodes/eid/<eid>?type=TRADE,QUOTE,MKTDEPTH
Subservice Name: /tradingstatuses
PERIOD //blp/srcref/tradingstatuses/eid/<eid>?type=PERIOD
STATUS //blp/srcref/tradingstatuses/eid/<eid>?type=STATUS
PERIOD,STATUS //blp/srcref/tradingstatuses/eid/<eid>?type=PERIOD,STATUS
For subscriptions without a filter, users will receive all Event types of that subservice name in the initial message as well
as in subsequent daily updates. However, for subscriptions with filters, users will receive all Events in the initial message,
but only specified Events in subsequent daily updates.
CODE EXAMPLE
An example can be found in the B-PIPE SDK for C++, Java and .NET. as follows:
1) SourceRefSubscriptionExample — This example demonstrates how to make a simple Source Reference
subscription for one (or more) list; it sends all of the Messages to the console window.
This C++ code snippet demonstrates how to subscribe for streaming source reference data.

const char *list = “//blp/srcref/brokercodes/eid/14005”;

SubscriptionList subscriptions;
subscriptions.add(list, CorrelationId((char *)security));
session.susbcribe (subscriptions);

 For additional information, refer to the “Reference Services and Schemas Guide.”

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5.6. CUSTOM VWAP SERVICE

The Custom Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) Service (“//blp/mktvwap”) provides streaming VWAP values for
equities. This service allows for a customized data stream with a series of overrides.
Following is a sample custom market VWAP string:
//blp/mktvwap/ticker/IBM US Equity?fields=VWAP&VWAP_START_TIME=10:00&VWAP_END_TIME=16:00

 Note that it includes a single main field (VWAP) and two override field/value pairings
(VWAP_START_TIME=10:00 and VWAP_END_TIME=16:00).

User can select the single topic overload of the ADD method and pass the entire string formulated above or break down
the string into topic, fields and overrides; user can then use that applicable overload of the ADD method.
The following code sample demonstrates how this can be accomplished. The response will return a Message containing a
selection of VWAP fields.
<C++>
// Assume that session already exists and "//blp/mktvwap" service
// has been opened.
SubscriptionList subscriptions;
subscriptions.add("//blp/mktvwap/ticker/IBM US Equity",
"VWAP",
"VWAP_START_TIME=10:00&VWAP_END_TIME=16:00"
CorrelationId(10));
session.subscribe(subscriptions);

 For additional information, refer to the “Reference Services and Schemas Guide.”

5.7. MARKET DEPTH DATA SERVICE

The Enterprise Market Depth System (EMDS) is subscription-based and allows users to access a more comprehensive
set of market depth data for (supported and entitled securities). It is available to both BPS (Bloomberg Professional
service) and non-BPS users.
B-PIPE provides access to the entire list of “Bid” and “Ask” prices that currently exist for an instrument; this list can be
known as market depth, order books or simply “Level 2” data. Most exchanges will consider this to be a separate product
from their “Level 1” data (general real-time) and will charge additional fees for access to it. Thus a different EID is typically
used for “Level 2.”
Generally, the “top of the book,” i.e., the price occupying the top position (position 1) of the order book, is also the “best”
bid or ask. The best bid in the order book should generally be lower than the best ask, but it is possible for the ask to be
higher than the bid under specific market conditions. If this occurs, then it is known as a “crossed” or “inverted” market (or
book). Crossed or inverted markets can and do occur regularly under specific market conditions, most likely when the
immediate matching and execution of orders has been restricted. The details of the specific conditions vary by market.
Books have three characteristics in EMDS that define them: the number of positions (rows) in the book (window size), the
type of the book and the method used to update the book.

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The three types of order books: Market-By-Order (MBO), Market-By-Level (MBL) and Market Maker Quote (MMQ). An
exchange that operates an order book may provide only MBL data, only MBO data or both MBO and MBL data. An
exchange that operates a market maker quote book will provide MMQ data. The three order/quote book update methods:
Replace-By-Position (RBP), Add-Mod-Delete (AMD) and Replace-By-Broker (RBB).

 For additional information, refer to the “Reference Services and Schemas Guide.”

5.8. MARKET BAR SERVICE

The Market Bar Service (“//blp/mktbar”) provides streaming (real-time and delayed) intraday bars. This service
provides the functionality to obtain intraday bars for trade volume, number of ticks, open, close, high, low and time of last
trade. The service is aimed at clients wishing to retrieve HIGH/LOW prices for a specified time interval in streaming
format. A subscription to a market bar requires the service to be explicitly specified in the topic. For example:
“//blp/mktbar/ticker/VOD LN Equity”
“//blp/mktbar/isin/GB00B16GWD56 LN”
The only field that can be submitted for this service is LAST_PRICE. The following code example shows a subscription to
market bars for VOD LN Equity, with a bar size of 5 minutes:

<C++>
// Assume that the blp/mktbar service has already been opened successfully.
SubscriptionList d_subscriptions = new SubscriptionList;
d_subscriptions.add(
"//blp/mktbar/ticker/VOD LN Equity",
"LAST_PRICE",
"bar_size=5&start_time=13:30&end_time=20:00",
CorrelationId(1));
d_session.subscribe(d_subscriptions);

The following options apply:

 bar_size: Length of the bar defined in minutes. The minimum supported size of the bar is 1 min. The maximum
supported size of the bar is 1,440 minutes, (=24 hours).
 start_time: (optional): Specified in the format hh:mm. If not specified, then it is the time of session start of the security
or subscription time.
 end_time (optional): Specified in the format hh:mm. If not specified, then it is session end time of the security.
The three types of Messages that can occur in a SUBSCRIPTION_DATA Event for this type of subscription:
 MarketBarStart — Occurs at a new bar. The frequency will depend upon the interval setting. A MarketBarStart will
return all fields.
 MarketBarUpdate — Is sent on last price updates, but will include fields that have updated since the bar start or last
update. Fields that are updated are VOLUME, NUMBER_OF_TICKS, TIME and CLOSE.

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 MarketBarEnd — Occurs when the last market bar has been received (the end_time has been reached). This
Message contains DATE and TIME.
 MarketBarIntervalEnd – Sent consistently at the end of each bar interval even if there are no TRADEs for the
security at the moment.

 Note that no initial summary is returned for streaming intraday bars. A reference data request or a
subscription is required to get an initial paint. When a market bar subscription is set to return delayed data,
the market bar start Message will not be returned until the delay period has passed.

 For additional information, refer to the “Reference Services and Schemas Guide.”

5.9. MARKET LIST (MKTLIST) SERVICE

The Market List Service (//blp/mktlist) is used to perform two types of list data operations. The first is to subscribe to
lists of instruments, known as “chains,” using the “chain” <subservice name> (i.e., //blp/mktlist/chain). The second is to
request a list of all the instruments that match a given topic key using the “secids” <subservice name> (i.e.,
//blp/mktlist/secids). The //blp/mktlist service is available to both BPS (Bloomberg Professional service) and NONBPS
users.
The syntax of the Market List subscription string is as follows:
//<service owner>/<service name>/<subservice name>/<topic>
where <topic> is comprised of “<topic type>/<topic key>” and <subservice name> is either “chain” or “secids.” The table
below provides further details.
MARKET LIST STRING DEFINITIONS
<service owner> For B-PIPE is “blp”
<service name> For subscription and one-time data is “mktlist”
<subservice name> /chain Subscription-based request for a list of instruments. It can be one of a variety
of types such as “Option Chains”, “Index Members”, “EID List” or “Yield
Curve”. See t able below for additional information and examples of each.

/secids Request for one-time list of instruments that match a given <topic>. It will
always be “Secids List.” See table below for additional information and an
example.
<topic type> /cusip Requests by CUSIP
/sedol Requests by SEDOL
/isin Requests by ISIN
/bsid Requests by Bloomberg Security Identifier
/bsym For requests by Bloomberg Security Symbol
/buid For requests by Bloomberg Unique Identifier
/eid For requests by Entitlement ID
/source For requests by Source syntax

/bpkbl Requests by Bloomberg parsekeyable Identifier

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/bsym Requests by Exchange Symbol

/ticker Requests by Bloomberg Ticker
/bbgid Requests by Bloomberg Global Identifier
<topic key>a The following topic types consist of source and the /cusip
value of a given identifier separated by the forward
/sedol
slash:
<source>/<identifier> /isin
/bpkbl
/buid
/bsym
/bbgid
The following topic types do not require a source and /bsid
consist of value alone:
/eid
<Identity>
/ticker
The following topic type consists of only a <source> /source

TABLE OF SUBSERVICE NAME EXAMPLES

Subservice
Example Subscription String Topic Type** Topic Key Refreshes*
Name

Option Chains //blp/mktlist/chain/bsym/LN/BP/ /bsym /<source>/<identifier> No

//blp/mktlist/chain/bsid/678605350316 /bsid /<identifier> No

//blp/mktlist/chain/buid/LN/EQ0010160500001000 /buid /<source>/<identifier> No

//blp/mktlist/chain/bbid/LN/EQ0010160500001000 /bbid /<source>/<identifier> No

//blp/mktlist/chain/bpkbl/BP/LN Equity /bpkbl /<source>/<identifier> No

//blp/mktlist/chain/cusip/UN/594918104 /cusip /<source>/<identifier> No

//blp/mktlist/chain/isin/LN/GB00B16GWD56 /isin /<source>/<identifier> No

//blp/mktlist/chain/sedol/UN/2588173 /sedol /<source>/<identifier> No

//blp/mktlist/chain/bsym/FTUK/UKX Index;
Index List /bsym /<source>/<identifier> Daily
class=option

Yield Curve //blp/mktlist/chain/bpkbl/YCMM0010 Index /bpkbl /<identifier> Daily

EID List //blp/mktlist/chain/eid/14014 /eid /<source> No

Source List //blp/mktlist/chain/source/UN;secclass=Equity /source /<source> No

Secids List //blp/mktlist/secids/buid/EQ0010160500001000 /buid /<source>/<identifier> N/A

* Denotes whether that particular subscription (based on the <topic type> of the subscription string) will refresh and at what periodicity. For Daily
refreshes, this will occur at the start of a new market day.

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** The “//blp/mktlist” service currently does not support the “/ticker” topic type.

CODE EXAMPLES
Two separate examples can be found in the B-PIPE SDK for C++, Java and .NET. They are as follows:
 MarketListSubscriptionExample
This example demonstrates how to make a simple Market List “chain” subscription for one, or more, securities and
displays all of the Messages to the console window.
 MarketListSnapshotExample
This example demonstrates how to make a Market List “secids” one-time request and displays the Message to the
console window.
Now that the user has a better understanding of how a //blp/mktlist subscription or one-time request string is formed, the
time has come to use it in the application. The following sections provide further details about how to subscribe to a chain
of instruments and request a list of members.

 For additional information, refer to the “Reference Services and Schemas Guide.”

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5.10. API FIELD SERVICE (APIFLDS)

The Field Information service provides details and a search capability on fields in the Bloomberg data model using the API
Request/Response paradigm. Information can be retrieved in the following ways:
 Field List Request: Provides a full list of fields as specified by the field type (e.g., All, Static or RealTime).
 Field Information Request: Provides a description of the specified fields in the request.
 Field Search Request: Provides the ability to search the Bloomberg data model with a search string for field
mnemonics.
 Categorized Field Search Request: Provides the ability to search the Bloomberg data model based on categories
with a search string for field mnemonics.

 For additional information, refer to the “Reference Services and Schemas Guide.”

5.11. API FIELD SERVICE — FIELD LIST

A FieldListRequest request returns all of the fields defined by the field type. This loosely follows the Field Type filter option
available on “FLDS <GO>” on the Bloomberg Professional service.
This example shows how to construct a FieldListRequest request.
<C++>
Service fieldInfoService = session.getService("//blp/apiflds");
Request request = fieldInfoService.createRequest("FieldListRequest");
request.append("fieldType", "All"); // Other options are Static and RealTime
request.set("returnFieldDocumentation", true);
std::cout << "Sending Request: " << request << std::endl;
session.sendRequest(request);
Possible fieldType values include “All” (to return all fields in the API Data Dictionary), “Static” (to return all static fields
contained in the API Data Dictionary) and “RealTime” (to return all real-time fields contained in the API Data Dictionary).

A successful FieldResponse will contain an array of FieldData. The FieldData contains the field’s unique ID and
information about the field. This example shows how to process a single FieldResponse. It is assumed that an Event was
received with either a RESPONSE or PARTIAL_RESPONSE type prior to running this processFieldResponse method:

<C++>

MessageIterator msgIter(event);
while (msgIter.next()) {
Message msg = msgIter.message();
Element fields = msg.getElement("fieldData");
int numElements = fields.numValues();
printHeader();
for (int i=0; i < numElements; i++) {
printField (fields.getValueAsElement(i));
}
std::cout << std::endl;
}
if (event.eventType() == Event::RESPONSE) {

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break;
}

5.12. API FIELD SERVICE — FIELD INFORMATION

A FieldInfoRequest request returns a description for the specified fields included in the request. The request requires one
or more fields specified as either a mnemonic or an alpha-numeric identifier. It is also possible to specify in the request to
return the documentation as per the “FLDS <GO>” function.
This example shows how to construct a FieldInfoRequest request.
<C++>
Service fieldInfoService = session.getService("//blp/apiflds");
Request request = fieldInfoService.createRequest("FieldInfoRequest");
request.append("id", "LAST_PRICE");
request.append("id", "pq005");
request.append("id", "ds002");
request.set("returnFieldDocumentation", true);
std::cout << "Sending Request: " << request << std::endl;
session.sendRequest(request);
A successful FieldResponse will contain an array of FieldData. The FieldData contains the field’s unique ID and
information about the field. This example shows how to process a single FieldResponse. It is assumed that an Event was
received with either a RESPONSE or PARTIAL_RESPONSE type prior to running this processFieldResponse method:
<C++>
MessageIterator msgIter(event);
while (msgIter.next()) {
Message msg = msgIter.message();
Element fields = msg.getElement("fieldData");
int numElements = fields.numValues();
printHeader();
for (int i=0; i < numElements; i++) {
printField (fields.getValueAsElement(i));
}
std::cout << std::endl;
}
if (event.eventType() == Event::RESPONSE) {

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break;
}

The above code snippet does not provide the code for either the printField or printHeadermethods. To view these, refer to
the SimpleFieldInfoExample example installed with the C++ API SDK.

5.13. API FIELD SERVICE — FIELD SEARCH

A FieldSearchRequest request returns a list of fields matching a specified search criterion. The request specifies a search
string and it may also contain criteria used to filter the results. This criterion allows for the filtering by category, product
type and field type.
 For further information on these settings, refer to “References Services and Schemas Guide.”
The following example shows how to construct a FieldSearchRequest request:

<C++>
Service fieldInfoService = session.getService("//blp/apiflds");
Request request = fieldInfoService.createRequest("FieldSearchRequest");
request.append("searchSpec", "last price");
Element exclude = request.getElement("exclude")
Exclude.setElement("fieldType", "Static");
std::cout << "Sending Request: " << request << std::endl;
session.sendRequest(request);
A FieldSearchRequest returns a FieldResponse just as a FieldInfoRequest does.
It is assumed that an Event was received with either a RESPONSE or
PARTIAL_RESPONSE type prior to running this processFieldResponse method:
<C++>
MessageIterator msgIter(event);
while (msgIter.next()) {
Message msg = msgIter.message();
Element fields = msg.getElement("fieldData");
int numElements = fields.numValues();
for (int i=0; i < numElements; i++) {
printField (fields.getValueAsElement(i));
}
std::cout << std::endl;
}
if (event.eventType() == Event::RESPONSE) {

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break;
}

The above code snippet does not provide the code for the printFieldmethod. To view this, refer to the
SimpleFieldSearchExample example installed with the C++ API SDK.

5.14. API FIELD SERVICE — CATEGORIZED FIELD SEARCH

A CategorizedFieldSearchRequest request returns a list of fields matching a specified search criterion. The request
specifies a search string and may also contain criteria used to filter the results. This criterion allows for the filtering by
category, product type and field type.
 For further information on these settings, refer to “References Services and Schemas Guide.”
The following example shows how to construct a CategorizedFieldSearchRequest request:
<C++>
Service fieldInfoService = session.getService("//blp/apiflds");
Request request =
fieldInfoService.createRequest("CategorizedFieldSearchRequest");
request.append("searchSpec", "last price");
Element exclude = request.getElement("exclude")
Exclude.setElement("fieldType", "Static");
Request.set("returnFieldDocumentation", false);
std::cout << "Sending Request: " << request << std::endl;
session.sendRequest(request);
A successful CategorizedFieldResponse will contain an array of CategoryData that contains a flattened representation of
the matching fields arranged by the category tree. This example shows how to process a single
CategorizedFieldResponse.
<C++>
MessageIterator msgIter(event);
while (msgIter.next()) {
Message msg = msgIter.message();
if (msg.hasElement(FIELD_SEARCH_ERROR)) {
msg.print(std::cout);
continue;
}
Element categories = msg.getElement("category");
int numCategories = categories.numValues();

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for (int catIdx=0; catIdx < numCategories; ++catIdx) {

Element category = categories.getValueAsElement(catIdx);
std::string Name = category.getElementAsString("categoryName");
std::string Id = category.getElementAsString("categoryId");
std::cout << "\n Category Name:" << padString (Name, CAT_NAME_LEN) <<
"\tId:" << Id << std::endl;
Element fields = category.getElement("fieldData");
int numElements = fields.numValues();
printHeader();
for (int i=0; i < numElements; i++) {
printField (fields.getValueAsElement(i));
}
}
std::cout << std::endl;
}
if (event.eventType() == Event::RESPONSE) {
break;
}

5.15. INSTRUMENTS
//blp/instruments: The Instruments service is used to perform three types of operations. The first is a Security Lookup
Request, the second is a Curve Lookup Request and the third is a Government Lookup Request. Instruments from a
common source (e.g., NASDAQ) will share an EID. For example, MSFT UQ Equity and INTC UQ Equity both come from
NASDAQ and have EID 14005 (if requested by someone with Level 1 access).

 For additional information, refer to the “Reference Services and Schemas Guide.”

5.16. PAGE DATA

The Page Data service of the API provides access to GPGX pages and the data they contain. This is a subscription
service that requires that the GPGX number, the monitor number, the page number and the required rows (fields) be
provided.
The topic is constructed as follows:-
0708/012/0001
where:
0708 is the GPGX number
012 is the monitor number

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0001 is the page number

An array of strings is used to specify the rows on the page that are of interest. These can be specified as individual rows,
multiple rows separated by commas or ranges of rows, as follows:

String Rows Specified

“1” The first row on the page
“1,2,3” Rows 1,2 and 3 on the page
“1,6-10,15,16” Row 1, rows 6 to 10 and rows 15 and 16
The following example shows how to create a subscription and demonstrates how the subscription fields are used to pass
the rows the user wants to subscribe to.

std::string topic = "0708/012/0001";

std::string page = "blp/pagedata/" + topic;

subscriptions.add(page.c_str(),
"15-18", // subscribe to rows 15 to 18
new CorrelationID(topic));

RESPONSE BEHAVIOR
Once a subscription has been created and the subscription status Messages have been processed, two Event types
might be received:

5.17. TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Technical Analysis is a method of evaluating securities by analyzing statistics generated by market activity, such as past
prices and volumes. Technical analysts do not attempt to measure a security’s intrinsic value, instead, they use charts
and other tools to identify patterns that can suggest future activity. The Technical Analysis Service enables users to
download this data and bring it into their application using Bloomberg API.
The table below displays details on the different Technical Analysis data types:

Data Type Description

Historical End-of-Day End-of-day data for a specified period of time in increments of days, weeks, months, quarters
or years.
Intraday Intraday data for a specified period of time in increments of minutes. Based on Bid, Ask
or Trade Events, data such as open, high, low, close and volume can be retrieved for
the interval of time specified.

Real-time Real-time data and Events.

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5.18. HISTORICAL END-OF-DAY STUDY REQUEST

The Historical study request enables the retrieval of end-of-day technical analysis data for a specified security and study
attributes over the specified time periods of daily, weekly, monthly, biannually and annually. Each Historical study request
can submit only a single instrument.

Service tasvcService = session.getService("//blp/tasvc");

Request request = tasvcService.createRequest("studyRequest");

// set security name

request.getElement("priceSource").

getElement("securityName").setValue("IBM US Equity");

// set historical price data

request.getElement("priceSource").

getElement("dataRange").setChoice("historical");

Element historicalEle = request.getElement("priceSource").

getElement("dataRange").getElement("historical");

// set study start date

historicalEle.getElement("startDate").setValue("20100501");

// set study end date

historicalEle.getElement("endDate").setValue("20100528");

// DMI study example - set study attributes

request.getElement("studyAttributes").setChoice("dmiStudyAttributes");
Element dmiStudyEle = request.getElement("studyAttributes").
getElement("dmiStudyAttributes");

// DMI study interval

dmiStudyEle.getElement("period").setValue(15);

// set historical data price sources for study

dmiStudyEle.getElement("priceSourceLow").setValue("PX_LOW");
dmiStudyEle.getElement("priceSourceClose").setValue("PX_LAST");

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RESPONSE BEHAVIOR
A successful studyResponse holds information on the requested security. It contains a studyDataTable with one
studyDataRow for each interval returned.

void processResponseEvent(Message msg)

{
Element security = msg.getElement(SECURITY_NAME);
std::string ticker = security.getValueAsString();

std::cout << std::endl;

std::cout << "Ticker: " << ticker << std::endl;

if (security.hasElement("securityError"))

{
printErrorInfo("\tSECURITY FAILED: ", security);

return;
}
Element fields = msg.getElement(STUDY_DATA);

int numValues = fields.numValues();

if (numValues > 0)

{
for (int j = 0; j < numValues; ++j)

{
Element field = fields.getValueAsElement(j);
int numElems= field.numElements();

for (int k = 0; k < numElems; k++)

{
Element element = field.getElement(k);
std::cout << "\t" << element.name() + " = "

+ element.getValueAsString() << std::endl;

}
std::cout << std::endl;

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}
}

5.19. INTRADAY BAR STUDY REQUEST

The Intraday Bar–type study request enables the retrieval of summary intervals of intraday technical analysis data for a
specified study attributes for five Event types, TRADE, BID, ASK, BEST_BID and BEST_ASK, over a period of time. Each
Intraday study request can submit only a single instrument. In addition, the Event type, interval and date/time start and
end points in UTC must be specified.

Service tasvcService = session.getService("//blp/tasvc");

Request request = tasvcService.createRequest("studyRequest");

// set security name

request.getElement("priceSource").

getElement("securityName").setValue("IBM US Equity");

// set to intraday

Element intradayEle = request.getElement("priceSource").

getElement("dataRange").getElement("intraday");
// set intraday price data

// intraday event type

intradayEle.getElement("eventType").setValue("TRADE");

intradayEle.getElement("interval").setValue(60); // intraday interval

// set study start date

intradayEle.getElement("startDate").setValue("2010-05-26T13:30:00");

// set study end date

intradayEle.getElement("endDate").setValue("2010-05-27T13:30:00");

// smavg study example - set study attributes

request.getElement("studyAttributes").setChoice("smavgStudyAttributes");

Element smavgStudyEle = request.getElement("studyAttributes").

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getElement("smavgStudyAttributes");
smavgStudyEle.getElement("period").setValue(15); // SMAVG study interval
smavgStudyEle.getElement("priceSourceClose").setValue("close");

RESPONSE BEHAVIOR
A successful studyResponse holds information on the requested security. It contains a studyDataTable with one
studyDataRow for each bar interval returned.

void processResponseEvent(Message msg)

{
Element security = msg.GetElement(SECURITY_NAME);

string ticker = security.GetValueAsString();

std::cout << std::endl;

std::cout << "Ticker: " << ticker << std::endl;

if (security.hasElement("securityError"))

{
printErrorInfo("\tSECURITY FAILED: ", security);

return;
}
Element fields = msg.getElement(STUDY_DATA);

int numValues = fields.numValues();

if (numValues > 0)

{
for (int j = 0; j < numValues; ++j)

{
Element field = fields.GetValueAsElement(j);

int numElems= field.numElements();

for (int k = 0; k < numElems; k++)

{
Element element = field.getElement(k);
Std::cout << std::endl;

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std::cout <<"\t" << element.name() << " = "

<< element.GetValueAsString() << std::endl;

}
}
}
}

5.20. REAL-TIME STUDY REQUEST

The Real-time study request provides the ability to subscribe to real-time technical analysis data points for specified study
field attributes and period. Each real-time study subscription can subscribe only to a single study field.
Assume that session already exists and the “//blp/tasvc” service has been successfully opened.

SubscriptionList subscriptions = new SubscriptionList;

subscriptions.Add("//blp/tasvc/ticker/IBM US Equity?fields=WLPR&" \

"priceSourceClose=LAST_PRICE&" \
"priceSourceHigh=HIGH&" \

"priceSourceLow=LOW&" \
"periodicitySelection=DAILY&" \

"period=14"
,new CorrelationID("IBM US Equity_WLPR"));

session.susbcribe (subscriptions);

RESPONSE BEHAVIOR
Once a subscription is established, the stream will supply Messages in SUBSCRIPTION_DATA Events. In addition to the
study field subscribed, users may receive additional study fields, which were not subscribed, in these Messages. These
additional fields are not filtered for the purpose of speed and their inclusion is subject to change at any time.

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6. Best Practices
This includes information on how data usage limits work so as developers build apps they can keep this information in
mind to avoid hitting data limits. This section talks about stability, where testing is the key to stable code, as is checking
return values. Following are some recommended best practices to follow when developing Bloomberg API-based
applications:

6.1. NAME CLASS

 This is an efficiency class for strings and is similar to a guaranteed interned string. Use the Name class to define
strings used in the application.
 “Name” is very efficient if not overused. Remember that once constructed, no way is available to free the allocated
internal memory.
 The Bloomberg API is optimized to handle Names. For example, the GetElement and GetValue methods use hash
table lookups to quickly retrieve the data from the Message structure. If passing a String instead of a Name,
converting to a hash value is required. Therefore, if pre-computing the hash value by defining as a Name on program
start-up, it will first check if there already is an instance. If so, it will return it. Otherwise, it creates a new one and
returns it.
 Store all element name strings as: static const Name.
 Once the schema is downloaded, names are created for each Enum value. Can be used to create static names for
each value and allows efficient name comparison, instead of string comparison.

6.2. SESSION OBJECT

 Sessions are essentially Data Stream connections; note that these are logical connections and the API supports
failover between physical connections. During failover, API will handle re-subscriptions.
 It is recommended to use two Sessions to avoid delaying a thin fast stream with a fat slow one. Have one Session
object for real-time data and one for reference data requests, with a possible additional Session for large historical
requests.
 Opening and closing a Session is expensive for both the client’s application and for Bloomberg servers.
 Check admin Messages and handle all cases accordingly, for example: calling session.Stop() is not a good idea on a
SESSION_TERMINATED Message, the session is already stopped

6.3. EVENTQUEUE
 EventQueues can replace the default Session Event queue per Request. The result of a Request can occur in several
Partial Events.
 Asynchronous requests can be made blocking a Request after it is made passing an EventQueue, all Events for that
Request will appear on that EventQueue or once the Request is complete.
 The function can return the results from parsing all the Events.
 An Event is a container for Messages and owns all memory for Messages.
 As it can hold many Messages, it can be quite large.

 Note: In C++, Messages point inside an Event and the lifespan of a Message must not exceed its Event’s
lifespan.

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EXAMPLE OF USING AN EVENTQUEUE

C++
Send Request using EventQueue:
Request request = refDataService.createRequest("ReferenceDataRequest");
…
…
EventQueue eventQueue;
CorrelationId cid(this);
session.sendRequest(request, cid, &eventQueue);
while (true)
{
Event eventObj = eventQueue.nextEvent();
MessageIterator msgIter(eventObj);
while (msgIter.next()) {
Message msg = msgIter.message();
// Process Message
…
…
}
if (eventObj.eventType() == Event::RESPONSE)
{
break;
}
}

6.4. GETTING VALUES FROM ELEMENTS

The getAsString method converts a native type to a string. If a native object is required, use the native type–getter
method—it is a much more efficient than getting the value as a string and then converting the string back to a native type.
In C++, the string returned should be copied. It is a const char * and a pointer into its Event. The following is more efficient
as it doesn’t cause an exception like getElementAsXXXX:

Element E;
int err=getElement(&E, Name);
if (!err)int valerr=E.getValueAs(&MYVAL);
(Name) obviates the need for a second lookup through a call to the hasElement() method, whose Boolean argument
determines if Null is treated the same way as the field not existing at all.

6.5. MAXEVENTQUEUESIZE
The default for SessionsOptions.maxEventQueueSize is 10,000 and this should always be higher than thenumber of
subscriptions. If more Events exist, they will be dropped. The notification is: SlowConsumer(Hi/Lo)Watermark. Higher
values reduce the chance of clearing the eventQueue and increase potential unmonitored latency and there is a risk of
consuming very high amounts of memory.

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6.6. MESSAGE ITERATOR

It is recommended not to exit an Event processing loop with a return or break but to continue to the next iteration. Events
can have multiple Messages and breaking the loop, or returning from the callback without checking for more Messages,
will prevent handling of later Messages in the Event and they will be lost. Breaking the loop will appear as if ticks are
being dropped.

6.7. CORRELATIONID OBJECT

This is used to match a particular request with its returned data (request or subscription). It can be assigned any object.
Rather than using a string as the CorrelationID and then using that string as a lookup key in a container of Data objects,
use the Data object itself. It may still be necessary to put the Data object in a container, but callbacks can directly access
the object.
REQUESTS
These can be assigned to any object. Bundle requests whenever possible, as multiple securities in one single request will
be processed more efficiently than a single security per request.
LOGGING
It is a best practice to log all non-data Messages, even in production. Data Messages are SUBSCRIPTION_DATA,
RESPONSE and FINAL_RESPONSE. Under normal situations, there should be relatively few non-data Events. When an
error occurs, these Messages contain important debugging information. The entire Message should be logged. It might be
helpful during development to log data Messages, but this generally should not be done in a production environment.
DATA LIMITS
Usage is metered by unique subscriptions and reference data hits; it is best to factor this into application design. Unique
subscriptions are the number of subscriptions that have the same security, with possible changes in fields or options.
Twenty requests for “IBM US Equity” would count as one even if the fields are different or some are interval or delayed.
Reference data hits refer to the number of securities, multiplied by the number of fields requested, and are counted for
each request. The same exact request for 3 fields across 7 securities made 5 times would count as 3 * 7 * 5, or 105 hits.
The number of rows returned is not relevant, so tick history for 2 fields on IBM would count as 2, even if thousands of
rows are returned. It is best to centralize and not repeat requests that are unlikely to change. Requesting the latest
frequently changing fields like BID and ASK every minute should be replaced by a subscription for those fields with an
interval of 1 minute—this will dramatically reduce the number of reference data hits.

6.8. DATETIME
DateTime is basically a struct, and in cases where it is convertible to a native datetime type it is generally better to convert
it to a native type. However, in some cases, it is not convertible, for example, it might only hold a month. Store it in a
standard string format if it does not convert and if it is only displayed and never used for calculations. The format for String
conversion to DateTime is based on field type and must be exact:

Type API Name Format Example

DateTime BLPAPI_DATATYPE_DATETIME yyyy-mm-ddThh:mm:ss 2011-09-29T14:59:59

Date BLPAPI_DATATYPE_DATE yyyy-mm-dd 2011-09-29

Time BLPAPI_DATATYPE_TIME hh:mm:ss.xxx 14:59:59.123

For DateTime and Time: Optionally .xxx can be added for milliseconds to– see Time above and +tt:tt can be added for
time zone offset (no spaces)

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6.9. IF CHAINS
It is common in example code to see:

if (msg.hasElement(ELEMENT))
{
myObject.ELEMENT=msg.getAsString(ELEMENT);
}

and then repeat that for every element

In practice, it is more efficient in many places to iterate through all fields and check if the Message has the required field:
foreach element e in ms

{
if (e.name() == ELEMENT)
{

myObject.ELEMENT=e.getValueAsString();
}
}

This needs to be a per-case evaluation. Based on the number of fields required vs. the number of fields expected in the
Event,
Where ELEMENT

Can be any Bloomberg or Local Schema Field string stored in a Name.

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6.10. INVARIANTS: UN-OPTIMIZED

It is especially the case when dealing with reference data that a certain sequence of calls must be used for getting data; it
will look like this:

MessageIterator iter(event);
while(iter.next())
{
Message msg=iter.message();
for (int idx = 0;
idx < msg.asElement().getElement("securityData").numValues();
idx++)
{
if (msg.asElement().getElement("securityData")
.getValueAsElement(idx)
.getElement("fieldData")
.hasElement("ELEMENT"))
{
myObject.ELEMENT=
msg.asElement().getElement("securityData")
.getValueAsElement(idx)
.getElement("fieldData")
.getElementAsString("ELEMENT");
}

if (msg.asElement().getElement("securityData")
.getValueAsElement(idx)
.getElement("fieldData")
.hasElement("ELEMENT2"))
{
myObject.ELEMENT2=
msg.asElement().getElement("securityData")
.getValueAsElement(idx)
.getElement("fieldData")
.getElementAsString("ELEMENT2");
}
…
}
}

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6.10.1. INVARIANTS: CORRECTED

C++
// This should be moved up to outer loops as follows:
Element securities; // All Security Data
Element security; // Data for just one Security
Element data; // All field data for that security
Element field; // Data for one field
String Element; // Temp storage for String data
MessageIterator iter(event);
while(iter.next()) {
Message msg=iter.message();
if (msg.GetElement(&securities, SECURITY_DATA) != 0) // non 0
means error
next;
int maxIndex=securities.numValues();
for (int idx = 0; idx < maxIndex; ++idx)
{
security=securities.getValueAsElement(idx);
if (security.GetElement(&data, FIELD_DATA) != 0) // non 0 means
error
next;
if (data.GetElement(&field, ELEMENT)) // Note this is a Name now
if (field.getValueAs(&Element) == 0) // 0 means no error
Object.ELEMENT=Element;
if (data.GetElement(&field, ELEMENT2)) // Note this is a Name now
if (field.getValueAs(&Element) == 0) // 0 means no error
Object.ELEMENT2=Element;
…
}
}
- Where ELEMENT, ELEMENT2
Can be any Bloomberg or Local Schema Field string stored in a Name}

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7. Event Handling
Asynchronous and synchronous Event handler code is quite similar. However, there are a few notable differences
between the two:
SYNCHRONOUS
 Simpler of the two modes to code.
 Blocks until an Event becomes available.
 Uses the Session.NextEvent method to obtain the next available Event object.
ASYNCHRONOUS
 Recommended mode.
 Does not block until an Event becomes available. Instead, the Event handler is triggered by a callback.
 Requires that an EventHandler object be supplied when creating a Session.
The Session class also provides ways of handling Events synchronously and asynchronously. The simpler of the two is
synchronous Event handling, which requires calling Session.NextEvent to obtain the next available Event object. This
method will block until an Event becomes available. A synchronous request model is well-suited for single-threaded
customer applications.
The alternative and preferred method to handling data request Events is asynchronously, which is accomplished by
supplying an EventHandler object when creating a Session. In this case, the user-defined processEvent method in the
supplied EventHandler will be called by the Bloomberg API when an Event is available. For instance, the C++ API
signature for processEvent method is:
public void processEvent(Event event, Session session) // No exceptions are thrown
The callbacks to the processEvent method will be executed by a thread owned by the Bloomberg API, thereby making the
customer application multi-threaded; consequently, customer applications must ensure that data structures and code
accessed from both its main thread and from the thread running the EventHandler object are thread-safe.
The mode of a Session is determined when it is constructed and cannot be changed subsequently.
As previously discussed, there are two modes for handling data requests: asynchronously and synchronously. These
choices are mutually exclusive:
 If a Session is provided with an EventHandler when it is created (i.e., asynchronous mode), then calling its NextEvent
method (used for synchronous mode) will throw an exception.
 If no EventHandler is provided with a Session (i.e., synchronous mode), then the only way to retrieve an Event object
is by calling its NextEvent method.

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7.1. ASYNCHRONOUS VS. SYNCHRONOUS

Let’s review two scenarios to understand the difference between asynchronous and synchronous:
1. B requires the telephone number of C and needs to obtain it from A.
2. B has the option of waiting for C if either C is absolutely essential for B making any further work progress or because
this is the way B operates in general. Alternatively, B can instruct A to indicate receipt of the C information, while, in
the meantime, B continues with something else.
The first situation illustrates synchronicity where a requester (B) of information will wait (block) until that information is
available. Programmatically speaking this may be because the data requested is essential to complete the next operation
or because the program is procedural in nature and follows the same fixed serialized pattern as Boss B’s work mode.
The second situation is an example of asynchronicity. In this case, the requester (B) will not wait (block) after the initial
request is made, but instead will continue to the next program statement after data is requested.
It is up to the developer to request data synchronously or asynchronously. Here are two possible scenarios for each:
Synchronous
 Application needs to make some authentication-type request before allowing data requests.
 Data from a basket of securities must be applied to a custom algorithm before storing the results in a local database.
Asynchronous
 Application program is Event-driven.
 Application is a monitoring application requiring real-time pricing data as a source.
The Bloomberg API is fundamentally asynchronous. Applications initiate operations and subsequently receive Event
objects to notify them of the results. However, for developer convenience, the Session class also provides synchronous
versions of some operations. For instance, the Start and OpenService methods encapsulate the waiting for the Events
and make the operations appear synchronous. The equivalent asynchronous methods for these methods are StartAsync
and OpenServiceAsync, respectively.

7.2. MULTIPLE SESSIONS

Many applications will use only a single Session (connection). However, the Bloomberg API allows the creation of multiple
Session objects. Multiple instances of the Session class contend for nothing and thus allow for efficient multi-threading.
For example, an application can increase its robustness by using multiple Session objects to connect to different
communication-process instances.
Another example would be an application that may require both large heavyweight Messages that need much processing
as well as small Messages that can be quickly processed. If both were obtained through the same Session, the
processing of the large messages would increase latency on the lightweight Messages. This can be mitigated by handling
the two categories of data with different Session objects and different threads.

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8. Message Types
Once a “//blp/mktdata” subscription is established, the stream will supply Messages in SUBSCRIPTION_DATA Events.
Each Message will contain a MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE and MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE value. For instance, the
initial Message returned, identified with SUMMARY/INITPAINT values, will contain a value for all the fields specified in the
subscription. Subsequent Messages may contain values for some or all of the requested Bloomberg fields. It is possible
for a Message to contain none of the requested Bloomberg fields as the Messages are only filtered based on the fields
they could contain rather than the fields they actually contain—many fields in the streaming events are optional. The
Bloomberg API will ensure that all Messages that contain any of the fields users have explicitly subscribed for are pushed
to their application. Finally, the stream may return additional fields in these Messages that were not included in the
subscription. These additional fields are not filtered for the purpose of speed, and their inclusion is subject to change at
any time.
Here is a list of the common MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE/MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE value pairings, along with
descriptions that users may see in the SUBSCRIPTION_DATA Event Messages:

Market Event Pairings Description

MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = SUMMARY New Day Turnaround: Includes any subscribed fields that should be blanked out
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE = NEWDAY prior to new day open along with a refresh of static values needed to maintain
statistics and process other Messages.
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = SUMMARY Initial Paint: Contains an initial value for all the fields specified in the subscription.f
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE = INITPAINT
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = SUMMARY Intraday: Contains an update to the initial paint (INITPAINT).
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE = INTRADAY
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = SUMMARY Interval: Returned only when making an interval-based subscription. All Messages
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE = INTERVAL will be of this type/sub-type. Users will not receive an INITPAINT Message.
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = SUMMARY Data Loss: See What Is the Difference Between a DataLoss Admin Message and a
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE = SUMMARY/DATALOSS Message?. for further information
DATALOSS
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = TRADE New Trade: Contains a regular trade tick.
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE = NEW
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = TRADE Cancel Trade: Contains a cancellation of a trade.
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE = CANCEL
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = TRADE Correct Trade: Contains a correction to a trade.
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE =
CORRECTION
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = QUOTE Bid Quote: Should contain a single BID-type field.
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE = BID
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = QUOTE Ask Quote: Should contain a single ASK-type field.
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE = ASK
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = QUOTE Mid Quote: Should contain a single MID-type field.
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE =MID
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = QUOTE Paired Quote: Should contain both a BID- and ASK-type fields.
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE = PAIRED
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE = MarketDepth: Should contain values for market depth fields from levels 1 through 5
MARKETDEPTH (for Desktop and Server API) and levels 1 through 10 (for B-PIPE) if the user
MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE = TABLE included one or more of the market depth fields in the subscription. For a list of
these fields, expand item 16 in the first section of the Field, Security & General Data
Topics page.

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9. Error Codes
9.1. COMMON EXCEL ERROR MESSAGE CODES
 #N/A Authorization: Indicates missing authorization while trying to access a service for which not privileged for, if no
user information in request (valid user handle is required in every request/subscribe call) or Platform not enabled in
EMRS for particular user.
 #N/A Connection: Connection between the BBCOMM (which handles the actual transfer of data from our database
to the user’s PC) and the RTD (which passes requests from Excel to the BBCOMM) has been severed.
 #N/A Published Data: N Succeeded, N Failed: Publish Event succeeded with a count of how many specific fields
succeeded and how many failed. At least one field must have “succeed.”
 #N/A Requesting Data...: Displays while waiting for formula result to be returned.
 #N/A Field Not Applicable: Field is not applicable for the security. For example, trying to retrieve the yield on a stock
or the dividend per share on a bond.
 #N/A Invalid Security: Security is not recognized.

9.2. MESSAGE RETURN CODES (V3 API ONLY)

9.2.1. GENERAL

Event Name Message Type Category Scenario

ADMIN SlowConsumerWarning Indicates client is slow. NO category/subcategory.
ADMIN SlowConsumerWarningCleared Indicates client is not slow anymore. NO
category/subcategory.
ADMIN DataLoss Generated when the event queue overflows and
events must consequently be dropped. Messages
of this type will be generated after a
`SlowConsumerWarning` and before any
subsequent ‘SlowConsumerWarningCleared`, but
unlike those messages, events containing
`DataLoss` will be appended at the point in the
queue where events are dropped (and might thus
be pulled from the queue after a
‘SlowConsumerWarningCleared` which was
generated at a later point in time). A single
`DataLoss` message may represent a large of
number of lost events; see the type description for
information on the meta-data captured to describe
the missing events.
ADMIN RequestTemplateAvailable The request template has been fully prepared, and
will be subject to optimized processing when sent,
if fully processed before the next
`RequestTemplatePending` message. For
subscription service snapshot requests, optimized
processing entails delivering topic recaps directly
from a hot cache.
ADMIN RequestTemplatePending The request template is in the process of being
prepared, and may not receive optimized
processing if sent. This message may be
generated either as a result of a new template
being prepared for the first time, or as a result of a
change to processing infrastructure that requires

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re-preparation (e.g. the cache associated with a

snapshot template must be migrated from one
machine to another due to failover). When the
preparation is complete, a subsequent
'RequestTemplateAvailable' message will be
delivered.
ADMIN RequestTemplateTerminated The request template is no longer valid; any
subsequent attempt to send the request will result
in failure.
SESSION_STATUS SessionStarted Session has been started successfully.
SESSION_STATUS SessionTerminated IO_ERROR Session has been terminated.
SESSION_STATUS SessionStartupFailure IO_ERROR Session has failed to start.
SESSION_STATUS SessionConnectionUp IO_ERROR Session is up either because Session.Start() was
called or the connection between the application
and the Bloomberg Communication Server process
(e.g., ServerApi, B-PIPE) has been reestablished.
SESSION_STATUS SessionConnectionDown IO_ERROR Session is down either because Session.Stop()
was called or the connection between the
application and the Bloomberg Communication
Server process (e.g. ServerApi, B-PIPE) has been
lost.
SESSION_STATUS ServiceOpened Service has been opened successfully.
SESSION_STATUS ServiceOpenFailure IO_ERROR Service has failed to open (I/O Error).
SESSION_STATUS ServiceOpenFailure UNCLASSIFIED Service has failed to open (Other).
SESSION_STATUS SessionClusterInfo Delivered when the SDK is connected to a cluster
and receives initial cluster configuration information
from the Bloomberg infrastructure. The message
includes the name of the cluster and a list of end
points within.
SESSION_STATUS SessionClusterUpdate This is delivered when the SDK is connected to a
cluster and receives updated configuration
information about the cluster from the Bloomberg
infrastructure. The message includes the name of
the cluster and lists of end points that have been
added/removed.

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9.2.2. API ERROR CODE NUMBER

The table below lists the API Error code with the number:

Error Code Number

SUCCESS 0
INTERNAL_ERROR 100
INVALID_USER 101
NOT_LOGGED_ON 102
INVALID_DISPLAY 103
ENTITLEMENT_REFRESH 105
INVALID_AUTHTOKEN 106(ONLY USED BY SAUT)
EXPIRED_AUTHTOKEN 107
TOKEN_IN_USE 108

9.2.3. //BLP/APIAUTH
(AUTHORIZATION_STATUS, REQUEST_STATUS, RESPONSE and PARTIAL_RESPONSE Events) [Server API and B-
PIPE]

Request Message Type Category Sub-Category Scenario

Authoriza- AuthorizationSuccess User was authorized successfully.
tion Request AuthorizationFailure NO_AUTH NOT_LOGGED_IN User is not logged in to Bloomberg.
AuthorizationFailure BAD_ARGS INVALID_USER Invalid User ID
ResponseError NO_AUTH CROSS_FIRM_AUTH Valid User ID belonging to different firm
AuthorizationFailure NO_AUTH INVALID_DISPLAY Invalid Display (when IP is specified)
AuthorizationFailure NO_AUTH TOKEN_EXPIRED Timeout waiting for input or expired token
AuthorizationFailure NO_AUTH BAD_AUTH_TOKEN Bad unparsable token supplied
AuthorizationFailure NO_AUTH CANCEL_BY_USER User cancels request (Launchpad).
AuthorizationFailure NO_AUTH ENTITLEMENTS_MIS UserAsidEquivalence check failed.
MATCH
ResponseError BAD_ARGS N/A No token and IP specified.
EntitlementChanged N/A N/A User has logged off and then back on to the
Bloomberg Professional service. The user’s
Identity object remains valid.
EntitlementChanged N/A N/A Entitlements of the User/Application have been
changed in EMRS. Usually needs hour to take
effect and, therefore, to generate Message. The
user/application’s Identity object remains valid.

Message = “Administrative Action”

AuthorizationRevoked NO_AUTH INVALID_DISPLAY A user logs in to a Bloomberg Professional
service other than the one on the PC running
application.
AuthorizationFailure NOT_AVAIL NOT_AVAILABLE_API When user uses an API that is either deprecated
ABLE or passes parameters in an authorization request
that are not supported for the specific product in
question. For example, emrsname + IP
authorization is not supported for ServerApi.
Similarly UUID+IP authorizations are not
supported on platforms. A descriptive error

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Request Message Type Category Sub-Category Scenario

Message is returned in the latter case.
AuthorizationRevoked NO_AUTH LOCKOUT User locked out of the Bloomberg Professional
service.
[Read “How Do I Handle an
AuthorizationRevoked Message?"]

Message Category Sub-Category Scenario

Type
Authorization NO-AUTH INVALID_DISPLAY User logged in to another Bloomberg Professional service.
Update
Authorization NO-AUTH LOCKOUT User locked out of Bloomberg Professional service. Click here for further
Update details.
Authorization UNCLASSIF CANCELLED_BY_SE Authorization cancelled by the server through EMRS administrator.
Update IED RVER
Authorization NO-AUTH NO_APP_PERM User not permitted to use the application.
Request
Authorization NO-AUTH INVALID_ASID_TYPE Requested authorization type not supported for this ASID type.
Request
Authorization NO-AUTH CREDENTIAL_REUS User’s authorization token has been used by another instance.
Request E
Authorization NO-AUTH EXPIRED_AUTHTOK The token has expired. User must regenerate the token and authorize.
Request EN
Authorization LIMIT MAX_DEVICES_EXC The maximum number of devices for this seat type has been exceeded.
Request EEDED
Authorization LIMIT MAX_AUTHORIZATIO Exceeded maximum number of simultaneous authorizations.
Failure NS_EXCEEDED
Authorization NO-AUTH EMRS_ENTITY_ASID Entity/ASID delivery point not enabled in EMRS. User gets this if a failure
Update _MISMATCH is dynamically detected because someone changed EMRS and an
existing authorization is affected after the authorization had been
successfully made.
Authorization NO-AUTH EMRS_ENTITY_ASID Entity/ASID combination not enabled in EMRS. User gets this if failure
Failure _MISMATCH detected at authorization time.
Authorization NO-AUTH EMRS_IPRANGE_MIS Application IP mismatch with EMRS IP ranges.
Failure MATCH
Authorization NO-AUTH EMRS_DATAFEED_D User or Application not enabled for datafeed (B-PIPE) access in EMRS
Failure ISABLED and attempting to authorize using a B-PIPE.
Authorization NO-AUTH EMRS_PLATFORM_D User or Application not enabled for platform access in EMRS and
Failure ISABLED attempting to authorize using a DDM.
Authorization NO-AUTH INVALID_DELIVERY_ Application has no instance created for the B-PIPE instance (delivery
Failure POINT point) in EMRS.
Authorization NO-AUTH IP_NOT_IN_RANGE Application is authorizing from a machine whose IP is being prevented by
Failure the IP Restrictions configured in EMRS.
Authorization NO-AUTH CANCELED_BY_SER This is sent when deactivating the application in EMRS after it had been
Revoked VER used to authenticate in APPLICATION_ONLY mode. Also sent when
unchecking the activate checkbox in EMRS for the user after it had been
authenticated.
Message = “Administrative Action”

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9.2.4. //BLP/MKTDATA AND //BLP/MKTVWAP

(SUBSCRIPTION_DATA and SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS Events)

Request Message Type Category Sub-Category Scenario

Session.subscribe SubscriptionTerminat LIMIT Concurrent subscription limit
ed exceeded.
SubscriptionTerminat UNCLASSIFIED “Failed to obtain initial paint”
ed
If this error occurs, the Bloomberg
Data Center was unable to get Initial
Paint for subscription. User will still
receive subscription ticks.
SubscriptionTerminat CANCELED Subscription has been cancelled via
ed Unsubscribe() or Cancel() call.
SubscriptionStarted Subscription started.
SubscriptionStreams Data stream successfully opened from
Activated a particular host
SubscriptioStreamsD Data stream closed
eactivated
SubscriptionFailure NO_AUTH Invalid user or credentials or user
being blocked by metering server.
SubscriptionFailure BAD_TOPIC Bad Topic string or Service name in
Topic
SubscriptionFailure BAD_SEC Bad Security
SubscriptionFailure NOT_MONITORABLE Not a real-time security (no streamId
or monid)
SubscriptionFailure NOT_APPLICABLE Field not valid to the specified security
SubscriptionFailure BAD_FLD Invalid field
SubscriptionFailure TIMEOUT Request timed-out
SubscriptionFailure UNCLASSIFIED Invalid field. No permissions
SubscriptionFailure SVC_UNAVAILABLE Contact Bloomberg Help Desk
SubscriptionFailure NOT_MONITORABLE No price available or no permission for
the specified PCS

Message Type Category Sub-Category Scenario

TokenGenerationSuccess N/A N/A A token was successfully generated.
TokenGenerationFailure NO_AUTH INTERNAL_ERROR Library or backend errors
TokenGenerationFailure NO_AUTH INVALID_USER User not found in the EMRS database.
TokenGenerationFailure NO_AUTH INVALID_APP Application name not found in the EMRS
database.
TokenGenerationFailure NO_AUTH CROSS_FIRM_AUTH Firm number mismatches with user(s) or
application(s).
TokenGenerationSuccess A token was successfully generated.
TokenGenerationFailure BAD_ARGS INVALID_USER or A token was not generated.
INVALID_APP

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9.2.5. //BLP/REFDATA
(REQUEST_STATUS, RESPONSE and PARTIAL_RESPONSE Events)

Request Message Type Category Sub-Category Scenario

For All Requests ResponseError LIMIT DAILY_LIMIT_REAC Daily limit for user reached
HED
ResponseError LIMIT MONTHLY_LIMIT_R Monthly limit for user reached
EACHED
ResponseError LIMIT MANUALLY_DISABL Manually disabled user
ED
ResponseError LIMIT FREE_TRIAL_TERM FTT limit reached
_LIMIT_REACHED
ResponseError NO_AUTH INVALID_USER Invalid ASID or user
ResponseError NO_AUTH NO_PRODUCTS_FO No products found (SAPI only)
UND
ResponseError NO_AUTH CROSS_FIRM_AUT User logged in from different firm
H
ResponseError BAD_SEC INVALID_SECURITY Invalid security requested
_IDENTIFIER
ResponseError UNCLASSIFIED UNKNOWN Internal error
RequestFailure UNCLASSIFIED Request Timeout
(REQUEST_STATUS)
HistoricalDataRequest ResponseError BAD_ARGS INVALID_START_EN Invalid start/end date requested
D
ResponseError BAD_ARGS INVALID_CURRENC Invalid currency requested
Y
ResponseError BAD_ARGS NO_FIELDS No fields requested
ResponseError BAD_ARGS TOO_MANY_FIELDS Requested too many fields
ResponseError BAD_FLD INVALID_FIELD Invalid field
ResponseError BAD_FLD INVALID_OVERRIDE Invalid override field requested
_FIELD
ResponseError BAD_FLD NOT_APPLICABLE_ Not valid historical field
TO_HIST_DATA requested
ResponseError BAD_FLD NOT_APPLICABLE_ Historical field not applicable to
TO_SECTOR market sector
ResponseError NOT_AVAILAB NOT_AVAILABLE_A No data currently available
LE PI
IntradayBarRequest ResponseError BAD_ARGS NO_EVENT_TYPE No Event type requested
IntradayTickRequest ResponseError BAD_ARGS NO_EVENT_TYPE No Event type requested
ReferenceDataRequest ResponseError NOT_AVAILAB INVALID_FIELD_DA Invalid field
LE TA
ResponseError BAD_ARGS TOO_MANY_OVERR Too many override fields
IDES requested
ResponseError BAD_FLD INVALID_OVERRIDE Invalid override field requested
_FIELD
ResponseError BAD_FLD NOT_APPLICABLE_ No valid refdata field requested
TO_REF_DATA
fieldExceptions NO_AUTH FIELD_NOT_ALLOW Field not permitted to datafeed
ED_FOR_DATAFEE users (B-PIPE only). Could
D_USER pertain to one of the following:

1) Field is a premium field and

only available to BPS

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users/applications.

2) Field not available to any B-

PIPE users

3) Field is a premium field and

B-PIPE license is set up as type
9 with “static data” turned off.
Both BPS and Non-BPS
users/applications are not
allowed to request this field.
IntradayBarRequest ResponseError BAD_ARGS NO_EVENT_TYPE No Event type requested
IntradayTickRequest ResponseError BAD_ARGS NO_EVENT_TYPE No Event type requested
categorizedField categorizedFieldRespon UNCLASSIFIED Contact Bloomberg
SearchRequest se
categorizedFieldSearch BAD_ARGS
Error
categorizedFieldRespon BAD_FLD Invalid request/no search string
se
categorizedFieldSearch
Error
categorizedFieldSearch
Error
fieldInfoRequest fieldResponse UNCLASSIFIED Contact Bloomberg
fieldResponse.fieldData Some field IDs are invalid
.field
fieldSearchRequest fieldSearchError
fieldResponse.fieldSear Invalid request/invalid field IDs
chError

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10. Event Types

For both synchronous and asynchronous Event handlers, the data and status Events along with the Message types
returned will be the same.
Below is a list of the various possible Event types that can be returned by the Bloomberg API services and under what
circumstance they are returned. Their purpose is to identify the type of Event received so it can be handled properly. The
Event type is obtained by using the Event.Type property and Event.EventType enumeration.
SESSION_STATUS
Changes in the state of the Session, such as Session successfully started or Session is terminated.
SERVICE_STATUS
Changes to the status of an active open service request.
SUBSCRIPTION_DATA
Streaming subscription data delivered for active subscription requests.
SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS
Changes in the state of a pending/active subscription request.
PARTIAL_RESPONSE AND RESPONSE
Both of these Event types are associated with non-subscription data requests. If the data required by the Bloomberg Data
Center to fill a request is too large, then Bloomberg will split up the response into multiple Event Messages of type
PARTIAL_RESPONSE and RESPONSE. Therefore, each non-final Event Message received by the application will be of
type PARTIAL_RESPONSE, while the final Event Message will be of type RESPONSE and will be the responsibility of the
application to handle these Event Messages. In other words, only when the RESPONSE Event Message is received
should the application stop waiting for more Messages and assume that all of the data for that request has been received.
REQUEST_STATUS
Changes in the state of a pending non-subscription request.
AUTHORIZATION_STATUS
Changes made to the state of an active authorization, such as entitlement changes.
ADMIN
Administrative Events from Bloomberg Services.
An Event Message is then further defined by its Message type, which is covered next.

10.1. MESSAGE TYPES

An Event Message will contain one or more Messages. Each will have a type associated with it—obtained by using the
Message.MessageType property. Their purpose is to provide more detail about the Event and whether its action was
successful or not. Following are a few such Message types and the Event types they are associated with.
SESSION_STATUS
 SessionStarted — Session has been started successfully.
 SessionTerminated — Session has been terminated.
 SessionStartupFailure — Session has failed to start.
 SessionConnectionUp — Session has successfully started for the first time
(SessionOptions.AutoRestartOnDisconnect() is set to true).
 SessionConnectionDown — Session has failed to start (SessionOptions.AutoRestartOnDisconnect() is set to true).

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 SessionClusterInfo - Delivered when the SDK is connected to a cluster and receives initial cluster configuration
information from the Bloomberg infrastructure. The message includes the name of the cluster and a list of end points
within.
 SessionClusterUpdate - This is delivered when the SDK is connected to a cluster and receives updated
configuration information about the cluster from the Bloomberg infrastructure. The message includes the name of the
cluster and lists of end points that have been added/removed.
SERVICE_STATUS
 ServiceOpened — Service has been opened successfully.
 ServiceOpenedFailure — Service has failed to open.
SUBSCRIPTION_DATA
 MarketDataEvents — Message contains market data. A list of possible types of market data (i.e.,
MKTDATA_EVENT_TYPE/MKTDATA_EVENT_SUBTYPE) will be covered later in this course in the section
“Understanding Market Data Event Types and Sub-Types.”
SUBSCRIPTION_STATUS
 SubscriptionStarted — Subscription has started.
 SubscriptionFailed — Subscription has failed. Reason will be determined by its category and description properties.
For instance, if the field mnemonic in the subscription doesn’t exist, then the category will be BAD_FLD and the
description will be “Unknown Field.”
 SubscriptionTerminated — Failed to obtain initial paint or concurrent subscription limit has been reached.
 SubscriptionStreamActivated — Delivered when a data set of a subscription has been successfully opened. Data
associated with this data set will start ticking afterwards. The message includes a list of data sets that become
activated and a reason for the activation.
 SubscriptionStreamDeactivated — delivered when the SDK loses its connectivity to the end point providing an
active data set. Data associated with this data set will stop ticking afterwards. The message includes a list of data sets
that become deactivated and a reason for the deactivation.
PARTIAL_RESPONSE AND RESPONSE
 ReferenceDataResponse — Message either contains data (with no errors or exceptions) or contains one of the
following elements (in which case, more details available from its category, subcategory and Message):
a) responseError — For example, if no field was included in the request. In that case, the category will be
BAD_ARGS and the Message will be “No fields specified.”
b) securityError – For example, if the security in the reference data request is invalid, then the category will be
BAD_SEC, the subcategory will be INVALID_SECURITY and the Message will be “Unknown/Invalid Security” .
c) fieldExceptions – For example, if the field in the reference data request is not found in the API Data Dictionary,
then the category will be BAD_FLD, the subcategory will be INVALID_FIELD and the Message will be “Field not
valid”.
REQUEST_STATUS
 RequestFailure — Occurs when the request times out on the Bloomberg backend.
AUTHORIZATION_STATUS
 AuthorizationSuccess — User was authorized successfully.
 AuthorizationFailure — User was not authorized successfully. Reason determined by looking at the Message’s
category, subcategory and properties.
 ResponseError — Cause of this error will be known only after looking at Message’s category, subcategory and
properties.

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 EntitlementChanged — User has logged off and then back on to the Bloomberg Professional service.
 AuthorizationRevoked — Reasons could be that either the user logged in to a Bloomberg Professional service other
than the one on the PC on which he is running his application, or the user is locked out of the Bloomberg Professional
service.
ADMIN
 SlowConsumerWarning — Receiving the Message indicates client is slow. NO category/subcategory.
 SlowConsumerWarningCleared — Receiving the Message indicates client is no longer slow. NO
category/subcategory.

11. Handling Reference Errors/Exceptions

The response to a ReferenceDataRequest request is an Element named ReferenceDataResponse, an Element object
that is a CHOICE of an Element named responseError (sent, for example, if the request was completely invalid or if the
service is down) or an array of Element objects named securityData, each containing some of the requested data. The
structure of these responses can be obtained from the service schema, but is also conveniently viewed by printing the
response in the response Event handler code.

ReferenceDataResponse (choice) = {
securityData[] = {
securityData = {
security = AAPL US Equity
sequenceNumber = 0
fieldData = {
PX_LAST = 442.66
DS002 = APPLE INC
VWAP_VOLUME = 15428164
}
}
}
}
Because the Element ReferenceDataResponse is an array, it allows each response Event to receive data for several of
the requested securities. The Bloomberg API may return a series of Message objects, each containing a separate
ReferenceDataResponse, within a series of Event objects in response to a request. However, each security requested will
appear in only one array entry in only one Message object.
Each element of the securityData array is a SEQUENCE that is also named securityData. Each securityData SEQUENCE
contains an assortment of data, including values for the fields specified in the request. The reply corresponding to the
improperly named security, “INVALID US Equity,” shows that the number and types of fields in a response can vary
between entries.

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ReferenceDataResponse (choice) = {
securityData[] = {
securityData = {
security = INVALID US Equity
securityError = {
source = 100::bbdbs1
code = 15
category = BAD_SEC
message = Unknown/Invalid security [nid:100]
subcategory = INVALID_SECURITY
}
sequenceNumber = 2
fieldData = {
}
}
}
}

This response Message has an Element not previously seen named securityError. This Element provides details
explaining why data could not be provided for this security.
 Note that sending one unknown security does not invalidate the entire request.
Just printing the response in the default format is educational, but to perform any real work with the response, the values
must be extracted from the received Message and assigned elsewhere for use. The following Event handler demonstrates
how to navigate the Element structure of the ReferenceDataResponse.
The Element method of Message provides a handle for navigating the contents of the Message objects using Element
methods. If an Element object is an array (e.g., securityDataArray), then the numValues method provides the number of
items in the array.

 Note that the Element class also provides a similarly named method, numElements (not used in this
example), which returns the number of Element objects in a SEQUENCE.

<C++>
static void handleResponseEvent(Event event) {
MessageIterator iter = event.messageIterator();
while (iter.next()) {
Message message = iter.message();

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Element ReferenceDataResponse = message.asElement();

if (ReferenceDataResponse.hasElement("responseError")) {
// handle error
}
Element securityDataArray = ReferenceDataResponse.getElement(
"securityData");
int numItems = securityDataArray.numValues();
for (int i = 0; i < numItems; ++i) {
Element securityData = securityDataArray.getValueAsElement(i);
std::string security = securityData.getElementAsString("security");
int sequenceNumber = securityData.getElementAsInt32(
"sequenceNumber");
if (securityData.hasElement("securityError")) {
Element securityError = securityData.getElement("securityError");
// handle error
return;
} else {
Element fieldData = securityData.getElement("fieldData");
double px_last = fieldData.getElementAsFloat64("PX_LAST");
String ds002 = fieldData.getElementAsString("DS002");
double vwap_vol = fieldData.getElementAsFloat64("VWAP_VOLUME");
// Individually output each value
std::cout << security =" << security << std::endl;
std::cout << "* sequenceNumber=" << sequenceNumber << std::endl;
std::cout << "* px_last =" << px_last << std::endl;
std::cout << "* ds002 =" << ds002 << std::endl;
std::cout << "* vwap_volume =" << vwap_vol << std::endl;
std::cout << std::endl;
}
}
}
}
When stepping through the securityData array, the requested Bloomberg fields are accessed by the name and type (e.g.,
getElementAsFloat64, getElementAsInt32) as specified in the schema. Once values have been assigned to local
variables, they can be used as needed. In this example, they are merely output individually in a distinctive format.

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The program output is shown below:

security =AAPL US Equity

sequenceNumber=0
px_last =442.66
ds002 =APPLE INC
vwap_volume =15428164
security =IBM US Equity
sequenceNumber=1
px_last =213.30
ds002 =INTL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP
vwap_volume =2885962.0
security =BLAHBLAH US Equity
securityError = {
source = 100::bbdbs1
code = 15
category = BAD_SEC
message = Unknown/Invalid security [nid:100]
subcategory = INVALID_SECURITY
}
The sequenceNumber is provided to allow the ordering of PARTIAL_RESPONSE Events from the reference data service.

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12. SDK for BLPAPI

The Bloomberg API Software Development Kits (SDKs) are available for download from the “API Download Center” on
{WAPI <GO>} for each supported programming language interface, operating system and API product. Each SDK
provides working binary and source-code examples, function reference help, the appropriate API library(s) and release
notes (change logs).
SDKs are also available at http://www.bloomberglabs.com/api/. For COM Data Control, the library interface
(blpapicom2.dll) is distributed as part of the monthly Desktop API software push and not included in its COM Data Control
SDK. Additionally, the function reference help is on {WAPI <GO>} and not in the “/help” folder installed with the SDK.
SDK LANGUAGES
The primary API interfaces are C/C++, Java and .NET. The remaining interfaces (COM Data Control, Python API and Perl
API) are built on top of the C API.

API Language Windows Linux Solaris

C/C++   
.NET 
Java   
COM Data Control 
Perl   
Python  
 Note: The Desktop API is only supported on Microsoft Windows.

API LIBRARIES
The object models of the Java, .NET, and C++ API libraries are identical, while the C interface provides a C-style version
of the object model. The C++ libraries are distributed in 64- and 32-bit versions on all platforms, while the .NET/Java API
libraries are 32-bit only. However, the Java and .NET libraries are fully compatible with 64-bit applications and the same
library version can be used in both 32- and 64-bit applications.
The Perl and Python APIs require the installation of the C++ API SDK. The Windows version of the Perl API is supported
only with ActivePerl 5.0, or greater. The Python API is supported with 32- and 64-bit CPython v2.6 and v2.7.
CODE EXAMPLES
The BLPAPI provides a core set of code examples across multiple languages, products and operating systems. These
include examples that demonstrate simple requests and subscriptions, along with those providing full authentication,
authorization and permissioning, and enhanced error and data handling. Install the entire set of product SDKs for each
language (from the “\examples” folder of each SDK installation) and understand what is distributed with each. The product
will dictate which additional examples are provided and their functionality.
Binary examples for the C++ and Java API SDKs are found in the “\bin” folder of each of their SDK installation folders.
They accept command-line parameters to customize how the application will authenticate (if applicable) and what data will
be requested/subscribed/published.
At this time, the Windows SDKs from WAPI <GO> have the most complete set of examples and example functionality.
FUNCTION REFERENCE HELP
Many of the SDKs include function reference help, which is found in the “\doc” folder. The C++ API help is generated by
doxygen, the .NET API help by Sandcastle and the Java API help by javadoc. This is also hosted online at
http://www.bloomberglabs.com/api/documentation/.

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API DEMO TOOL

The BLPAPI provides a Windows API Demo Tool for each of the Desktop API, Server API and B-PIPE API products. This
is in the “\bin” folder along with the latest .NET API library that it will reference. For example, the Server API Demo Tool is
in the “C:\blp\ServerApi\bin.” It was developed using C# and is a WinForm application.
The API Demo Tools provide a core set of functionality, including:
 Connecting to the product’s process server
 Requesting reference, historical, intraday, schema and API field data
 Subscribing to real-time streaming data
The Server API and B-PIPE API Demo Tools also provide applicable authorization/authentication/permissioning features;
the B-PIPE API Demo Tool includes additional subscription tabs such as MarketDepth and MarketList.

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13. Request/Response
The Request/Response paradigm is useful in obtaining a one-time response that does not require updates. With this
paradigm, all data is static as opposed to the real-time/delayed streaming data received when making a subscription-
based request.
A static request is made for the most current security data as well as requests for historical end-of-day and intraday data
through the following steps:
1. Establish a connection calling the Session.start method.
2. Open the “//blp/refdata” service using the Session.openService method.
3. Get the “//blp/refdata” service using the Session.getService method.
4. Create a Request object of a type matching the type of request. The valid request types are defined in the API
schema. For instance, to make a reference data request, create a Request object of type “ReferenceDataRequest”;
historical requests would be of type “HistoricalDataRequest.”
5. Add one or more securities and fields to the Request object, making sure that the fields are valid for that type of
request and also the Request/Response paradigm. For instance, “LAST_PRICE” is a real-time field, so it would not be
used for a reference data request (as indicated on FLDS <GO>). However, all real-time fields do have an equivalent
static field and are, therefore, usually valid for any static request. If unsure of a specific field’s availability for the
particular security(ies), use the “FLDS <GO>” function on the Bloomberg Professional service or the API Field
(“//blp/apiflds”) service, which will be covered later in this module.
6. Set any particular elements applicable to that type of request.
7. Submit the request using the Session.sendRequest method.
8. Handle the data and status responses either synchronously or asynchronously; these are returned as Events.
Determine whether the data request has been completely filled by checking the Event type of that Event object. If a
RESPONSE Event type is received, no more data will be returned for that request. However, if a
PARTIAL_RESPONSE Event type is received, this Event contains only a partial response for the user’s request and
further incoming Events must be read until a RESPONSE Event type is retrieved.

13.1. REQUESTING HISTORICAL DATA

The HistoricalDataRequest Request object enables the retrieval of end-of-day data for a set of securities and fields over a
specified period, which can be set to daily, monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually. At least one security and one
field are required along with start and end dates.
A range of options can be specified in the request; these are outlined in “Reference Services and Schemas Guide.” The
example below shows how to construct a HistoricalDataRequest for monthly last price data for 2012:

<C++>
std::vector<std::string> d_securities;
std::vector<std::string> d_fields;
d_securities.push_back("IBM US Equity");
d_securities.push_back("GOOG Equity");
d_fields.push_back("PX_LAST");

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d_fields.push_back("PX_BID");
………
// Assume that the //blp/refdata service has already been opened
Service refDataService = session.getService("//blp/refdata");
Request request = refDataService.createRequest("HistoricalDataRequest");
for(int i = 0; i < (int)d_securities.size(); i++)
{
request.getElement("securities").appendValue(d_securities[i].c_str());
}
for(int k = 0; k < (int)d_fields.size(); k++)
{
request.getElement("fields").appendValue(d_fields[k].c_str());
}
request.set("periodicitySelection", "MONTHLY");
request.set("startDate", "20120101");
request.set("endDate", "20121231");
std::cout << "Sending Request: " << request << std:: endl;
session.sendRequest(request);

13.2. HANDLING HISTORICAL DATA MESSAGES

A successful HistoricalDataResponse (with no errors or exceptions) holds information on a single security. It contains a
HistoricalDataTable with one HistoricalDataRow for each interval returned.
<C++>
while (true)
{
Event event = session.nextEvent();
MessageIterator msgIter(event);
while (msgIter.next())
{
Message &msg = msgIter.message();
if ((event.eventType() != Event::PARTIAL_RESPONSE) &&
(event.eventType() != Event::RESPONSE))
{

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continue;
}
Element securityData = msg.getElement(SECURITY_DATA);
Element securityName = securityData.getElement(SECURITY_NAME);
std::cout << securityName << "\n\n";

//only process field data if no errors or exceptions have occurred

if(!ProcessExceptions(msg))
{
if(!ProcessErrors(msg))
{
ProcessFields(msg);
}
}
std::cout << "\n\n";
}
if (event.eventType() == Event::RESPONSE) {
break;
}
}

In the above while() loop, if there are no exceptions or errors, the ProcessFields function is called. To view the code for
this function, look at the HistoryExample C++ example, which is found in the Server C++ API SDK installation. Currently,
this example is not available in the B-PIPE SDK.

13.3. REQUESTING INTRADAY BAR DATA

Bloomberg maintains a tick-by-tick history going back 140 business days for all securities where streaming data is
available. This intraday data can be used to draw detailed charts, for technical analysis or to retrieve the initial data for a
monitoring graph function such as the “GIP <GO>” function on the Bloomberg Professional service.
The Intraday Bar Request enables retrieval of summary intervals for intraday data covering five Event types: TRADE, BID,
ASK, BEST_BID and BEST_ASK, over a period of time.
 Note that only one event type can be specified per request.
Each bar contains OPEN, HIGH, LOW, CLOSE, VOLUME and NUMBER_OF_TICKS. The interval size of the bars can be
set from 1 minute to 1,440 minutes (24 hours).
Each IntradayBarRequest can only submit one single instrument. In addition, the Event type, interval, and date/time start
and end-points in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) must be specified. The example below shows how to construct an
IntradayBarRequest:

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<C++>
Service refDataService = session.getService("//blp/refdata");
Request request = refDataService.createRequest("IntradayBarRequest");
// only one security/eventType per request
request.set("security", “IBM US Equity”);
request.set("eventType",“TRADE”);
request.set("interval", 60);
Datetime startDateTime, endDateTime;
getTradingDateRange(&startDateTime, &endDateTime); // Custom function call
request.set("startDateTime", startDateTime);
request.set("endDateTime", endDateTime);
request.set("gapFillInitialBar", true);
std::cout << "Sending Request: " << request << std::endl;
session.sendRequest(request);
The code snippet above demonstrates an IntradayBarRequest “IBM US Equity” for trade bars with an interval of 60
minutes between the start and end date—time that would be set in the getTradingDateRange function.

13.4. HANDLING INTRADAY BAR DATA MESSAGES

A successful IntradayBarResponse will contain an array of BarTickData each of which contains open, high, low, close,
number of Events and volume values.
 For additional information, see “Reference Services and Schemas Guide.”
The example below shows how to interpret an IntradayBarResponse.
<C++>
void processMessage(Message &msg) {
Element data = msg.getElement(BAR_DATA).getElement(BAR_TICK_DATA);
int numBars = data.numValues();
std::cout <<"Response contains " << numBars << " bars" << std::endl;
std::cout << "Datetime\t\tOpen\t\tHigh\t\tLow\t\tClose"
<< "\t\tNumEvents\tVolume" << std::endl;
for (int i = 0; i < numBars; ++i) {
Element bar = data.getValueAsElement(i);
Datetime time = bar.getElementAsDatetime(TIME);
double open = bar.getElementAsFloat64(OPEN);
double high = bar.getElementAsFloat64(HIGH);

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double low = bar.getElementAsFloat64(LOW);

double close = bar.getElementAsFloat64(CLOSE);
int numEvents = bar.getElementAsInt32(NUM_EVENTS);
long long volume = bar.getElementAsInt64(VOLUME);
std::cout.setf(std::ios::fixed, std::ios::floatfield);
std::cout << time.month() << '/' << time.day() << '/' << time.year()
<< " " << time.hours() << ":" << time.minutes()
<< "\t\t" << std::showpoint
<< std::setprecision(3) << open << "\t\t"
<< high << "\t\t"
<< low << "\t\t"
<< close << "\t\t"
<< numEvents << "\t\t"
<< std::noshowpoint
<< volume << std::endl;
}
}

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13.5. REQUESTING INTRADAY TICK DATA

Bloomberg maintains a tick-by-tick history going back 140 business days for all securities where streaming data is
available. This intraday data can be used to draw detailed charts, for technical analysis purposes, or to retrieve the initial
data for a monitoring graph function (such as the “GIP <GO>” function).
The IntradayTickRequest enables retrieval of tick-by-tick history for a single security. In addition, the Event type(s),
interval and date/time start and end points in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) must be specified. The example below
shows how to construct an IntradayTickRequest:
<C++>
Service refDataService = session.getService("//blp/refdata");
Request request = refDataService.createRequest("IntradayTickRequest");
request.set("security", "VOD LN Equity");
request.append("eventTypes", "TRADE");
request.append("eventTypes", "AT_TRADE");
Datetime startDateTime, endDateTime ;
getTradingDateRange(&startDateTime, &endDateTime) / Custom Function
request.set("startDateTime", startDateTime);
request.set("endDateTime", endDateTime);
request.set("includeConditionCodes", true);
std::cout << "Sending Request: " << request << std::endl;
session.sendRequest(request);
In the above code, an intraday tick request is being made for VOD LN Equity for both TRADE and AT_TRADE tick data
and condition codes from the start and end date/times that are returned by the custom function getTradingDateRange.
Several eventTypes are valid for an intraday tick request. They are defined in the API schema for the
IntradayTickRequest type. Users may include as many as they like in one request.
Following is the current list of enumeration eventTypes:

 TRADE
 BID
 ASK
 BID_BEST
 ASK_BEST
 BID_YIELD
 ASK_YIELD
 MID_PRICE
 AT_TRADE
 BEST_BID

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 BEST_ASK
 SETTLE

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13.6. HANDLING INTRADAY TICK DATA MESSAGES

A successful IntradayTickResponse will contain an array of IntradayTickData providing information on each tick in the
specified time range. The time to respond to this request is influenced by the date and time range of the request and the
level of market activity during that period.

<C++>
void processMessage(Message &msg)
{
Element data = msg.getElement("tickData").getElement("tickData");
int numItems = data.numValues();
std::cout << "TIME\t\t\t\tTYPE\tVALUE\t\tSIZE\tCC" << std::endl;
std::cout << "----\t\t\t\t----\t-----\t\t----\t--" << std::endl;
std::string cc;
std::string type;
for (int i = 0; i < numItems; ++i) {
Element item = data.getValueAsElement(i);
Datetime time = item.getElementAsDatetime("time");
std::string timeString = item.getElementAsString("time");
type = item.getElementAsString("type");
double value = item.getElementAsFloat64("value");
int size = item.getElementAsInt32("size");
if (item.hasElement("conditionCodes")) {
cc = item.getElementAsString("conditionCodes");
} else {
cc.clear();
}
std::cout.setf(std::ios::fixed, std::ios::floatfield);
std::cout << timeString << "\t"
<< type << "\t"
<< std::setprecision(3)
<< std::showpoint << value << "\t\t"
<< size << "\t" << std::noshowpoint
<< cc << std::endl;

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}
}

The named constants were replaced by their explicit element strings for clarity. However, for best practices, define these
element strings using the Name class as this is more efficient and less prone to errors.

13.7. SENDREQUEST METHOD

The sendRequest method is a member of the Session class and is used to submit any of the aforementioned static data
requests, as well as other static data requests that have not been covered. There are two overloads for this method in the
C++ API library. In addition to the required Request object parameter, it also provides the ability to pass optional
arguments. These include a CorrelationId, EventQueue, Identity and requestLabel/requestLabelLen values.
The two method overload definitions are:

<C++>
void blpapi::Session::sendRequest(const Request& request,
const CorrelationId& correlationId = CorrelationId(),
EventQueue* eventQueue=0,
const char* requestLabel=0,
int requestLabelLen=0)

void blpapi::Session::sendRequest (const Request& request,

const Identity& user,
const CorrelationId& correlationId = CorrelationId(),
EventQueue* eventQueue=0,
const char* requestLabel=0,
int requestLabelLen=0)

In the first overload, send the specified Request object; in the second overload; send the specified request using the
specified Identity for authorization.

If the optionally specified CorrelationID is supplied, use it, otherwise create a CorrelationID. The actual
CorrelationID used is returned. If the optionally specified EventQueue is supplied, all Events relating to this request
will arrive on that EventQueue. If the optional requestLabel and requestLabelLen are provided, they define a string
that will be recorded along with any diagnostics for this operation. There must be at least requestLabelLen printable
characters at the location requestLabel.

A successful request will generate zero or more PARTIAL_RESPONSE Messages followed by exactly one RESPONSE
Message. Once the final RESPONSE Message has been received, the CorrelationID associated with this request
may be reused. If the request fails at any stage, a REQUEST_STATUS will be generated after which the
CorrelationID associated with the request may be reused.

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14. Multi-Threading and the API

The Session class provides two ways of handling Events. The simpler of the two is to call the nextEvent method to
obtain the next available Event object. This method will block until an Event becomes available and is well-suited for
single-threaded customer applications. This is known as “synchronous mode.”
For an asynchronous mode application, an EventHandler object is supplied when creating a Session. In this case, the
user-defined processEvent method in the supplied EventHandler is called by the Bloomberg API when an Event is
available. The signature for the processEvent method is:

public void processEvent(Event event, Session session)

// Note: no exceptions are thrown
The calls to the processEvent method will be executed by a thread owned by the Bloomberg API, making the customer
application multi-threaded. Consequently, a customer application must in this case ensure that data structures and code
accessed from both its main thread and from the thread running the EventHandler object are thread-safe.

Most applications will only use a single Session. However, the Bloomberg API allows the creation of multiple Session
objects. Multiple instances of the Session class do not contend and thus allow for efficient multi-threading.
There is no reason to create additional threads as the Bloomberg API already utilizes multiple threads where deemed
necessary to provide the most efficient handling of connections and data responses.
To implement a worker thread that would perform any processing required once subscription-based tick data has been
received on the Bloomberg API-owned thread, users must ensure that all of the ticks retain their order (i.e., sequence).
However, the option to create a thread model is available and it may be necessary under certain circumstances, for
example, when subscribing to a large volume of active instruments with a lot of processing/analysis performed on those
ticks.
For request/response type data, notice that the Session.sendRequest method accepts an EventQueue. This allows the
user to specify an Event handler for that particular request. This allows the handling of static data requests on a separate
thread, while a subscription-based request is being handled on the supplied Event handler when the Session object was
created.
EventDispatchers allow dispatching Events from multiple threads. If EventDispatcher is not specified, a default one is
created for the Session. EventDispatchers can be shared across Event queues, thus a pool of threads can be created to
dispatch Events from multiple Event queues. To use an EventDispatcher, create an EventDispatcher with the number of
threads needed for dispatching Events and pass to the Session at construction time. The Session will then use this
EventDispatcher for dispatching Events.

14.1. COMBINING REFERENCE AND SUBSCRIPTION DATA

When developing an application that will handle real-time streaming and static data, a separate Session can be used for
each type of data. The reason: to ensure that the processing of a heavyweight subscription, for instance, is not being
slowed down by the reading and blocking of multiple static request responses. In fact, there may be a separate Session
for a subscription, another for frequent reference data requests (for fields that are not available in a real-time format) and
another for occasional large intraday-type requests.

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15. Converting from Excel Formulas (TransExcelFormToCOM)

15.1. BDP(): STREAMING DATA (REAL-TIME OR DELAYED).
One use of the BDP() function is to subscribe to streaming data for a single security and real-time field. In the v3 API, to
subscribe to a security and real-time field and retrieve updates as they occur at the source, the Subscription Paradigm is
required.
Service: “//blp/mktdata”

BDP Parameters Description

Update Frequency: This is set Update frequency enables users to set, in milliseconds, how often they receive
in Excel through the Bloomberg ticks from the Bloomberg Data Center. The default is 300 milliseconds.
“Options” dialog box in the
Bloomberg Excel ribbon (under
the “Functions” tab).
Sample Code Translation
Bloomberg Excel Formula:

BDP("IBM US Equity", "LAST_PRICE")

Equivalent COM v3 Data Control Subscription Code:

Dim WithEvents session As blpapicomLib.session

Set session = New blpapicomLib2.session
session.QueueEvents = True
session.Start
session.OpenService "//blp/mktdata"
Dim sub As blpapicomLib2.SubscriptionList
Dim cid As blpapicomLib2.CorrelationId
Set sub = session.CreateSubscriptionList()
Set cid = session.CreateCorrelationId(1)
sub.Add "IBM US Equity", "LAST_PRICE", cid
' To set an update interval of, for e.g. 4 seconds,
' use this syntax instead:
' sub.AddEx "IBM US Equity", "LAST_PRICE", "interval=4.0"
session.Subscribe sub

15.2. BDP(): REFERENCE DATA (STATIC)

The other use of the BDP() function is to request reference data (a one-time snapshot of data) for a single security and
static field. In the v3 API, to request reference data, the Request/Response Paradigm is required.
Service: “//blp/refdata”
Request Type: ReferenceDataRequest
COM v3 Data Control Resources:

BDP Parameters Description

Specifying Overrides Calculation Overrides

Sample Code Translation (click to show/hide)

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Bloomberg Excel Formula:

BDP("IBM US Equity","EQY_WEIGHTED_AVG_PX","VWAP_START_TIME=9:30")
Equivalent COM v3 Data Control Request Code:
Dim WithEvents session As blpapicomLib2.session
Dim refdataservice As blpapicomLib2.Service
Set session = New blpapicomLib2.session
session.QueueEvents = True
session.Start
session.OpenService "//blp/refdata"
Set refdataservice = session.GetService("//blp/refdata")
Dim req As REQUEST
Set req = refdataservice.CreateRequest("ReferenceDataRequest")
req.GetElement("securities").AppendValue "IBM US Equity"
req.GetElement("fields").AppendValue "EQY_WEIGHTED_AVG_PX"
Dim overrides As Element
Set overrides = req.GetElement("overrides")
Dim override As Element
Set override = overrides.AppendElment()
override.SetElement "fieldId", "VWAP_START_TIME"
override.SetElement "value", "9:30"
session.SendRequest req

15.3. BDS(): BULK DATA (STATIC)

The BDS() function requests bulk reference data for a single security and bulk field. In the API, there is no difference in
the request type and options for reference data and bulk reference data (the field dictates if it is bulk). The difference
between the two lies in parsing the response—bulk data responses are returned in a different format.
Service: “//blp/refdata”
Request Type: ReferenceData

BDP Parameters Description

Specifying Overrides Calculation Overrides

Sample Code Translation (click to show/hide)

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Bloomberg Excel Formula:

BDS("IBM US Equity", "OPT_CHAIN")
Equivalent COM v3 Data Control Request Code:
Dim WithEvents session As blpapicomLib2.session
Dim refdataservice As blpapicomLib2.Service

Set session = New blpapicomLib2.session

session.QueueEvents = True
session.Start

session.OpenService "//blp/refdata"
Set refdataservice = session.GetService("//blp/refdata")

Dim req As REQUEST

Set req = refdataservice.CreateRequest("ReferenceDataRequest")

req.GetElement("securities").AppendValue "IBM US Equity"

req.GetElement("fields").AppendValue "OPT_CHAIN"

session.SendRequest req

15.4. BDH(): HISTORICAL “END-OF-DAY” DATA (STATIC)

One use of the BDH() function is to request historical “end-of-day” data for a single security and historical field. The
Request/Response Paradigm is required with the reference data service.
Service: “//blp/refdata”
Request Type: HistoricalDataRequest

BDP Parameters Description API Programming Equivalent

* Denotes default value
Specifying Calculation overrides
Overrides

Start Date The start date for the historical request. Element: startDate
Element value (string): yyyymmdd
End Date The end date for the historical request Element: endDate
Element value (string): yyyymmdd
Calendar Codes Returns the data based on the calendar of the Element: calendarCodeOverride
(CDR) specified country, exchange or region from CDR Element value (string): CDR<GO> Calendar
<GO>. It’s arguments are a two-character Type
calendar code null terminated string. This will
cause the data to be aligned according to the
calendar, including calendar holidays. This
applies only to DAILY requests.
Currency (FX) Amends the value from local currency of the Element: currency
security to the desired currency. Element value (string): Currency of the ISO
code. e.g., USD, GBP

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BDP Parameters Description API Programming Equivalent

* Denotes default value
Date Format Defines the date format as either regular or Element: returnRelativeDate
(DtFmt) relative. Set to True for relative. Element value: TRUE or FALSE
Days Sets whether to include or exclude Non-Trading Element: nonTradingDayFillOption
Days when no data is available. Element value (string):
NON_TRADING_WEEKDAYS*,
ALL_CALENDAR_DAYS or
ACTIVE_DAYS_ONLY
Fill Formats the type of data returned for non- Element: nonTradingDayFillMethod
trading days. Element value (string): PREVIOUS_VALUE* or
NIL_VALUE
Period (Per) Sets the periodicity of the data Element: periodicityAdjustment
Element value (string): ACTUAL, CALENDAR*
or FISCAL
Element: periodicitySelection
Element value (string): DAILY*, WEEKLY,
MONTHLY, QUARTERLY, SEMI_ANNUALLY
or YEARLY
Points The number of periods to download from the Element: maxDataPoints
end date. Element value: Any positive integer
The response will contain up to X data points,
where X is the integer specified. If the original
data set is larger than X, the response will be a
subset containing the last X data points. Hence,
the first range of data points will be removed.
Quote Type Sets quote to Price or Yield for a debt Element: pricingOption
(QtTyp) instrument. Element value (string):
PRICING_OPTION_PRICE or
PRICING_OPTION_YIELD*
Quote Indicates whether to use the average or closing Element: overrideOption
price Element value (string):
OVERRIDE_OPTION_CLOSE* or
OVERRIDE_OPTION_GPA
Use DPDF Setting to TRUE will follow the DPDF <GO> Element: adjustmentFollowDPDF
Settings Terminal function. Element value: TRUE* or FALSE
(UseDPDF) Here are the rules for this element:
If set to TRUE (default), then the DPDF <GO>
setting is followed and adjustmentSplit,
adjustmentAbnormal and adjustmentNormal are
ignored.
If set to FALSE, then users will follow whatever
setting is specified for adjustmentSplit,
adjustmentAbnormal and adjustmentNormal. If
nothing is specified, then no adjustment takes
place.

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BDP Parameters Description API Programming Equivalent

* Denotes default value
Cash Adjustment Adjust historical pricing to reflect: Special Cash, Element: adjustmentAbnormal
Abnormal Liquidation, Capital Gains, Long-Term Capital Element value: TRUE or FALSE
(CshAdjAbnormal Gains, Short-Term Capital Gains, Memorial,
) Return of Capital, Rights Redemption,
Miscellaneous, Return Premium, Preferred
Rights Redemption, Proceeds/Rights,
Proceeds/Shares, Proceeds/Warrants
Capital Changes Adjust historical pricing and/or volume to reflect: Element: adjustmentSplit
(CapChg) Spin-Offs, Stock Splits/Consolidations, Stock Element value: TRUE or FALSE
Dividend/Bonus, Rights Offerings/Entitlement
Cash Adjustment Adjust historical pricing to reflect: Regular Cash, Element: adjustmentNormal
Normal Interim, 1st Interim, 2nd Interim, 3rd Interim, 4th Element value: TRUE or FALSE
(CshAdjNormal) Interim, 5th Interim, Income, Estimated,
Partnership Distribution, Final, Interest on
Capital, Distribution, Prorated
Sample Code Translation (click to show/hide)
Bloomberg Excel Formula (*):
BDH("IBM US Equity","PX_LAST","CQ22009","CQ22010",
"Sort=A","Quote=C","QtTyp=Y","Days=A","Per=cd",
"DtFmt=D","Fill=P","UseDPDF=Y")
Equivalent COM v3 Data Control Request Code:
Dim WithEvents session As blpapicomLib2.Session
Dim refdataservice As blpapicomLib2.service
Dim req As blpapicomLib2.Request
Set session = New blpapicomLib2.session
session.Start
session.OpenService "//blp/refdata"
Set refdataservice = session.GetService("//blp/refdata")
Set req = refdataservice.CreateRequest("HistoricalDataRequest")
req.GetElement("securities").AppendValue ("IBM US Equity")
req.GetElement("fields").AppendValue ("PX_LAST")
req.Set "returnRelativeDate", "TRUE"
req.Set "periodicityAdjustment", "CALENDAR"
req.Set "periodicitySelection", "DAILY"
req.Set "startDate", "CQ22009"
req.Set "endDate", "CQ22010"
req.Set "nonTradingDayFillMethod", "PREVIOUS_VALUE"
req.Set "nonTradingDayFillOption", "ALL_CALENDAR_DAYS"
req.Set "pricingOption", "PRICING_OPTION_YIELD"
req.Set "overrideOption", "OVERRIDE_OPTION_CLOSE"
req.Set "adjustmentFollowDPDF", "TRUE"
session.SendRequest req
* Some parameters in the BDH() function, such as "Sort", are unavailable
in the API schema, as they are unique to the Bloomberg Excel add-ins.

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15.5. BDH(): INTRADAY TICKS (STATIC)

Another use of the BDH() function is to request intraday raw ticks for a single security and Event type. The
Request/Response Paradigm is required with the reference data service.
Service: “//blp/refdata”
Request Type: IntradayTickRequest

BDP Parameters Description API Programming Equivalent

Fields List of the fields to specify Element: eventType
Element value: TRADE, BID, ASK, BID_BEST,
BEST_BID, ASK_BEST, BEST_ASK,
MID_PRICE or AT_TRADE
Start Date and Start date and time for the intraday tick request Element: startDateTime
Time Element value (string): yyyy-mm-dd
Thh:mm:ss
End Date and End date and time for the intraday tick request Element: endDateTime
Time Element value (string): yyyy-mm-dd
Thh:mm:ss
IntradayRaw Indicates an Intraday Tick Request if set to Indicated by the request type when creating the
(IntRw) True. This is the default. request. In this case, the request type would be
IntradayTickRequest.
ConditionCodes( Shows the condition codes of a trade Element: includeConditionCodes
CondCodes) Element value: TRUE (show the data) or
FALSE (hide the data)
ExchangeCodes Returns the exchange code of the trade Element: includeExchangeCodes
(ExchCode) Element value: TRUE (show the data) or
FALSE (hide the data)
Show QRM Returns all ticks, including those with condition Element: includeNonPlottableEvents
Equivalent(QRM) codes. Allows retrieving full QRM ticks if TRUE Element value: TRUE (show the data) or
or standard API subset if FALSE (default value). FALSE (hide the data)
Broker Codes The broker code for Canadian, Finnish, Element: includeBrokerCodes
(BrkrCodes) Mexican, Philippine and Swedish equities only. Element value: TRUE (show the data) or FALSE
The Market Maker Lookup screen, MMTK (hide the data)
<GO>, displays further information on market
makers and their corresponding codes.
TRAC RPS The Reporting Party Side. The following values Element: includeRpsCodes
Codes appear: Element value: TRUE (show the data) or FALSE
(RPSCodes) - B: Customer transaction where the dealer (hide the data)
purchases securities from the customer.
-S: Customer transaction where the dealer sells
securities to the customer.
-D: Inter-dealer transaction (always from the sell
side).
Trade Time Display the time of the trade. Element: includeTradeTime
(TradeTime) Element value: TRUE (show the data) or FALSE
(hide the data)
Action Codes Displays additional information about the action Element: includeActionCodes
(ActionCodes) associated with the trade. Element value: TRUE (show the data) or FALSE
(hide the data)

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BDP Parameters Description API Programming Equivalent

Yield Displays the yield for the trade. Element: includeYield
(Yield) Element value: TRUE (show the data) or FALSE
(hide the data)
Spread Price Displays the spread price. Element: includeSpreadPrice
(Spread) Element value: TRUE (show the data) or FALSE
(hide the data)
Upfront Price Displays the pricing for credit default swaps Element: includeUpfrontPrice
(UpfrontPrice) (CDS). Element value: TRUE (show the data) or FALSE
(hide the data)
Indicator Codes Displays additional indicator information about Element: includeIndicatorCodes
(IndicatorCodes) the trade. Element value: TRUE (show the data) or FALSE
(hide the data)
Sample Code Translation (click to show/hide)

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BDP Parameters Description API Programming Equivalent

Bloomberg Excel Formula (*)(**):
BDH("IBM US Equity","ASK,BID,TRADE","5/27/2010 9:00:00 AM",
"","Dir=V","Dts=S","Sort=A","IntrRw=True","CondCodes=S",
"QRM=S","ExchCode=S","BrkrCodes=S","RPSCodes=S"
Equivalent COM v3 Data Control Request Code:
Dim WithEvents session As blpapicomLib2.Session
Dim refdataservice As blpapicomLib2.service
Dim req As blpapicomLib2.Request
Dim startTime As blpapicomLib2.DateTime
Dim endTime As blpapicomLib2.DateTime
Set session = New blpapicomLib2.session
session.Start
session.OpenService "//blp/refdata"
Set refdataservice = session.GetService("//blp/refdata")
Set req = refdataservice.CreateRequest("IntradayTickRequest")
req.Append "eventTypes", "TRADE"
req.Append "eventTypes", "ASK"
req.Append "eventTypes", "BID"
' All times are in GMT
Set startTime = session.CreateDatetime
startTime.Year = 2010
startTime.Month = 5
startTime.Day = 27
startTime.Hour = 14
startTime.Minute = 30
startTime.Second = 0
startTime.MilliSecond = 0
req.Set "startDateTime", startTime
req.Set "includeExchangeCodes", "TRUE"
req.Set "includeConditionCodes", "TRUE"
req.Set "includeBrokerCodes", "TRUE"
req.Set "includeRpsCodes", "TRUE"
req.Set "includePlottableEvents", "TRUE"
session.SendRequest(req)
* All times in a BDH() intraday calls are in local time, whereas in the v3 API they are in GMT. The above BDH()
time is assumed to be GMT-5:00 (EST)
** Some parameters in the BDH() function, such as “Dir” are unavailable in the API schema as they are unique to the
Bloomberg Excel add-ins.

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15.6. BDH()/BRB(): INTRADAY BAR DATA (STATIC/SUBSCRIPTION)

Static-based: The third use of the BDH() function is to request static intraday bar data for a single security and Event
type. The Request/Response Paradigm is required with the reference data service.
Service: “//blp/refdata”
Request Type: IntradayBarRequest

BDP Parameters Description API Programming Equivalent

Bar Type Defines the market event supplied for an Element: eventType
(BarTp) Intraday request. Element value: TRADE, BID or ASK
Bar Size Sets the length of each time-bar in the Element: interval
(BarSz) response. Entered as a whole number (between Element value: Whole number between 1 and
1 and 1,440 minutes). If omitted, the request will 1,440 (default = 1)
default to 1 minute. One minute is the lowest
possible granularity.
Start Date and Start date and time for the Intraday Bar Request Element: startDateTime
Time Element value (string): yyyy-mm-dd Thh:mm:ss
End Date and End date and time for the Intraday Bar Request Element: endDateTime
Time Element value (string): yyyy-mm-dd Thh:mm:ss
Intraday Raw Indicates an Intraday Bar Request if set to This is indicated by the request type when
(IntRw) False. creating the request. In this case, the request
type would be IntradayBarRequest.
Capital Changes Adjust historical pricing and/or volume to reflect: Element: adjustmentSplit
(CapChg) Spin-Offs, Stock Splits/Consolidations, Stock Element value: TRUE or FALSE
Dividend/Bonus, Rights Offerings/Entitlement.
Cash Adjustment Adjust historical pricing to reflect: Special Cash, Element: adjustmentAbnormal
Abnormal Liquidation, Capital Gains, Long-Term Capital Element value: TRUE or FALSE
(CshAdjAbnormal Gains, Short-Term Capital Gains, Memorial,
) Return of Capital, Rights Redemption,
Miscellaneous, Return Premium, Preferred
Rights Redemption, Proceeds/Rights,
Proceeds/Shares, Proceeds/Warrants
Cash Adjustment Adjust historical pricing to reflect: Regular Cash, Element: adjustmentNormal
Normal Interim, 1st Interim, 2nd Interim, 3rd Interim, 4th Element value: TRUE or FALSE
(CshAdjNormal) Interim, 5th Interim, Income, Estimated,
Partnership Distribution, Final, Interest on
Capital, Distribution, Prorated
Use DPDF Setting to True will follow the DPDF <GO> Element: adjustmentFollowDPDF
Settings Terminal function. True is the default setting for Element value: TRUE or FALSE
(UseDPDF) this option.
Sample Code Translation (static-based)

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BDP Parameters Description API Programming Equivalent

Bloomberg Excel Formula (*) (**):
BDH("IBM US Equity","OPEN,HIGH,LOW,LAST_PRICE,VOLUME",
"6/21/2010 9:30:00AM","","BarTp=T","BarSz=30","Dir=V",
"Dts=S","Sort=A","Quote=C","UseDPDF=Y")
Equivalent COM v3 Data Control Request Code:
Dim WithEvents session As blpapicomLib2.Session
Dim refdataservice As blpapicomLib2.service
Dim req As blpapicomLib2.Request
Dim startTime As blpapicomLib2.DateTime
Dim endTime As blpapicomLib2.DateTime
Set session = New blpapicomLib2.session
session.Start
session.OpenService "//blp/refdata"
Set refdataservice = session.GetService("//blp/refdata")
Set req = refdataservice.CreateRequest("IntradayBarRequest")
req.Set "security", "IBM US Equity"
req.Set "interval", 30 ' Set for 30 minute bars
req.Set "eventType", "TRADE"
' All times are in GMT
Set startTime = session.CreateDatetime
startTime.Year = 2010
startTime.Month = 5
startTime.Day = 27
startTime.Hour = 14
startTime.Minute = 30
startTime.Second = 0
startTime.MilliSecond = 0
req.Set "startDateTime", startTime
req.Set "adjustmentFollowDPDF", "TRUE"
session.SendRequest req
* All times in a BDH() intraday call are in local time,
whereas in the v3 API they are in GMT. The above BDH()
time is assumed to be GMT-5:00 (EST)
** Some parameters in the BDH() function, such as “Dir” are unavailable
in the API schema as they are unique to the Bloomberg Excel add-ins.
Sample Code Translation (subscription-based) (click to show/hide)

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BDP Parameters Description API Programming Equivalent

Bloomberg Excel Formula (*) (**):
BRB("IBM US Equity","OPEN,HIGH,LAST_PRICE",
"6/21/2010 9:30:00AM","","BarTp=T","BarSz=5","Dir=V",
"Dts=S","Sort=A","Quote=C","UseDPDF=Y")
Equivalent COM v3 Data Control Subscription Code:
Dim WithEvents session As blpapicomLib2.Session
Dim strOptions As String
Set session = New blpapicomLib2.session
session.QueueEvents = True
session.Start
session.OpenService "//blp/mktbar"
Dim sub As blpapicomLib2.SubscriptionList
Dim cid As blpapicomLib2.CorrelationId
Set sub = session.CreateSubscriptionList()
Set cid = session.CreateCorrelationId(1)
' All times are in GMT
strOptions = "start_time=14:30&interval=5"
sub.AddEx "//blp/mktbar/ticker/IBM US Equity", strOptions, cid
session.Subscribe sub
* All times in a BRB() intraday calls are in local time,
whereas in the v3 API they are in GMT. The above BRB()
time is assumed to be GMT-5:00 (EST)
** Some parameters in the BDH() function, such as “Dir” are unavailable
in the API schema as they are unique to the Bloomberg Excel add-ins.

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15.7. BEQS(): BLOOMBERG EQUITY SCREENING

The BEQS() function allows users to retrieve a table of data for a selected equity screen that was created using the Equity
Screening (EQS) function.
Service: “//blp/refdata”
Request Type: BeqsRequest

BDP Parameters Description API Programming Equivalent

ScreenName Name of the screen to import. This property is Element: screenName
required. Element value: String
For example, “Frontier Market Stocks with 1
billion USD Market Caps” or “MyScreen.” Note:
If user is importing a Bloomberg screen,
remember to use the ScreenType and Group
optional parameters to identify the screen.
ScreenType Indicates that the screen is a Bloomberg- Element: screenType
created sample screen or a saved custom Element values (ENUMERATIONS):
screen that users have created. This property is GLOBAL (B — Bloomberg) or
optional. PRIVATE (C — custom*)
* default
Group If the screens are organized into groups, allows Element: Group
users to define the name of the group that Element value: String
contains the screen. This property is optional. If
the users use a Bloomberg sample screen, they
must use this parameter to specify the name of
the folder in which the screen appears.
For example, “Group=Investment Banking”
(when importing the “Cash/Debt Ratio” screen).
AsOf Allows users to backdate the screen, so they Element: overrides
can analyze the historical results on the screen. Override Name: fieldId (string): PiTDate
Override Value: value (string): YYYYMMDD

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BDP Parameters Description API Programming Equivalent

Lang Allows users to override the EQS report header Element: languageId
language. Element values (ENUMERATIONS):
ENGLISH
For a list of valid languages, type LANG <GO> KANJI
on the Bloomberg Professional service. FRENCH
GERMAN
SPANISH
PORTUGUESE
ITALIAN
CHINESE_TRAD
KOREAN
CHINESE_SIMP
THAIK
SWED
FINNISH
DUTCH
MALAY
RUSSIAN
GREEK
POLISH
DANISH
FLEMISH
ESTONIAN
TURKISH
NORWEGIAN
LATVIAN
LITHUANIAN
INDONESIAN
* default is the native OS language.
Sample Code Translation (click to show/hide)

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BDP Parameters Description API Programming Equivalent

Bloomberg Excel Formula:

BEQS("Fair Value (Level III Assets)","ScreenType=B", "Sec=Y", "Group=General",

"AsOf=20140519", "ForceFmt=Y", "ShowSecurityOnly=N", "Lang=1")

Equivalent COM v3 Data Control Request Code:

Dim WithEvents session As blpapicomLib2.Session

Dim refdataservice As blpapicomLib2.service
Dim req As blpapicomLib2.Request
Set session = New blpapicomLib2.session
session.Start
session.OpenService "//blp/refdata"
Set refdataservice = session.GetService("//blp/refdata")
Set req = refdataservice.CreateRequest("BeqsRequest")
req.Set "screenName", "Fair Value (Level III Assets)"
req.Set "screenType", "GLOBAL" ' Equivalent to Bloomberg (B)
req.Set "Group", "General"
req.Set "languageId", "ENGLISH"
Dim overrides As Element
Set overrides = req.GetElement("overrides")
Dim override As Element
Set override = overrides.AppendElment()
override.SetElement "fieldId", "PiTDate"
override.SetElement "value", "20140519"
session.SendRequest req
NOTE: Certain parameters in the BEQS() formula are not available via the API and are implemented within the Excel add-in itsel; these includes ForceFmt, Sec
and ShowSecurityOnly.

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16. Troubleshooting
GATHER ALL NECESSARY INFORMATION TO REPLICATE ISSUE
 Product (B-PIPE, SAPI, DAPI, COM v3 Data Control, etc.)
 BMDS, ASID, SID
 Instruments/fields/date-time range affected
 Type of affected data request (subscription, reference data request, historical data request, etc.)
 Steps to reproduce
USE DEMO TOOL/SAMPLE PROJECT
Replicate the issue by running the Demo Tool or sample project from the SDK package. This can identify issues with the
source code by comparing the results from the Demo Tool and whether the issue is universal or only in the local
environment.
CONNECTIVITY ISSUES
1. Confirm if host and port are correctly specified.
2. Telnet to host and port and look for server response.
3. For DAPI, confirm if bbcomm.exe is running in task manager.
4. If process is running, run demo tool and see if they can connect.
5. Check for firewall blocking.
DATA DISCREPANCY
1. Check user entitlement.
2. Ensure that the pricing source is consistent between Terminal/Excel/API via {ALLQ <GO>}, {FLDS <GO>}, Demo
Tool, etc.
3. Check the source code and make sure that any request parameters that could affect outcome are correctly set up.
Request parameters to check include “adjustmentFollowDPDF,” “adjustmentNormal,”
“adjustmentSplit,”“pricingOption,” etc.
4. Check the source code and make sure that overrides are correctly requested as follows:
Element overrides = request["overrides"];
Element override1 = overrides.AppendElement();
override1.SetElement("fieldId", "BEST_DATA_SOURCE_OVERRIDE");
override1.SetElement("value", "BLI");

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16.1. TROUBLESHOOTING SCENARIOS

SCENARIO #1: SESSION.START() RETURN FALSE
A Java program is returning error “session.start() return false.” The error is returned after trying to get end-of-day price of
U.S. stocks.
1. Check if user is actively logged in to the Bloomberg Professional service on the same machine as application when
requesting data using Desktop API.
2. Check if the “bbcomm.exe” process is running in Windows Task Manager-> Process tab when error is displayed.
3. If client notices that bbcomm.exe is not running, run “BBCOMM” command in Start->Run to start the BBComm
process and start the Java application.
4. Restart the machine if the following error is returned when client runs “BBCOMM”:
2012/11/08 08:34:47.134 [ERROR] INIT: Failed to bind listenPort 8194 errorCode = 10048
2012/11/08 08:34:47.134 [ERROR] INIT: Most probable cause -> another process is
listening on port 8194

5. If the problem is resolved, do a clean install of the Bloomberg Professional service and make sure BBCOMM starts
without having to manually run BBCOMM.
SCENARIO #2: SPECIFY “SHOW QRM EQUIVALENT” IN DESKTOP API IN C#
Excel spreadsheet displays condition codes for {AAPL UW Equity} by specifying: “=BDH(……,”CondCodes=S”,…..”.
Programatically:
set “includeNonPlottableEvents=true” and “includeConditionCodes=”true”:
request.set(“includeNonPlottableEvents”,true)
request.set(“includeConditionCodes”,true)
Refer to Services and Schema Reference Guide for the details of configurable parameters for an Intraday Tick Request.
Note that timestamps are in GMT for API and in local time for Excel (if BDx() formula used).

16.2. BLP API LOGGING

API logging should be enabled only when debugging:
C++/C/PERL/PYHTON — Export following environment variables:

BLPAPI_LOGLEVEL=DEBUG
BLPAPI_LOGFILE=c:\blpapilog.txt
Java — Add the following parameters when running the Java application:

Dcom.bloomberglp.blpapi.logLevel=FINER
Dcom.bloomberglp.blpapi.logfolder=C:\
C# — Add listeners by using App.config to the project.
Sample App.config file is as follows:

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 BLOOMBERG OPEN API – CORE DEVELOPER GUIDE

 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>

<configuration>
<system.diagnostics>
<switches>
<add name="BloombergApiTraceSwitch" value="4" />
</switches>
<trace autoflush="true" indentsize="2">
<listeners>
<add name="FileListener"
type="System.Diagnostics.TextWriterTraceListener"
initializeData="C:\\blp\\API\\publishme.log" />
</listeners>
</trace>
</system.diagnostics>
</configuration>

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