MQL5 Programming Articles

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Study the MQL5 language for programming trading strategies in numerous published articles mostly written by you - the community members. The articles are grouped into categories to help you quicker find answers to any questions related to programming: Integration, Tester, Trading Strategies, etc.

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Mastering Model Interpretation: Gaining Deeper Insight From Your Machine Learning Models

Mastering Model Interpretation: Gaining Deeper Insight From Your Machine Learning Models

Machine Learning is a complex and rewarding field for anyone of any experience. In this article we dive deep into the inner mechanisms powering the models you build, we explore the intricate world of features,predictions and impactful decisions unravelling the complexities and gaining a firm grasp of model interpretation. Learn the art of navigating tradeoffs , enhancing predictions, ranking feature importance all while ensuring robust decision making. This essential read helps you clock more performance from your machine learning models and extract more value for employing machine learning methodologies.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 63): Unsupervised Pretraining for Decision Transformer (PDT)

Neural networks made easy (Part 63): Unsupervised Pretraining for Decision Transformer (PDT)

We continue to discuss the family of Decision Transformer methods. From previous article, we have already noticed that training the transformer underlying the architecture of these methods is a rather complex task and requires a large labeled dataset for training. In this article we will look at an algorithm for using unlabeled trajectories for preliminary model training.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques You Should Know (Part 15): Support Vector Machines with Newton's Polynomial

MQL5 Wizard Techniques You Should Know (Part 15): Support Vector Machines with Newton's Polynomial

Support Vector Machines classify data based on predefined classes by exploring the effects of increasing its dimensionality. It is a supervised learning method that is fairly complex given its potential to deal with multi-dimensioned data. For this article we consider how it’s very basic implementation of 2-dimensioned data can be done more efficiently with Newton’s Polynomial when classifying price-action.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 22): Conditional GANs

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 22): Conditional GANs

Generative Adversarial Networks are a pairing of Neural Networks that train off of each other for more accurate results. We adopt the conditional type of these networks as we look to possible application in forecasting Financial time series within an Expert Signal Class.
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The case for using Hospital-Performance Data with Perceptrons, this Q4, in weighing SPDR XLV's next Performance

The case for using Hospital-Performance Data with Perceptrons, this Q4, in weighing SPDR XLV's next Performance

XLV is SPDR healthcare ETF and in an age where it is common to be bombarded by a wide array of traditional news items plus social media feeds, it can be pressing to select a data set for use with a model. We try to tackle this problem for this ETF by sizing up some of its critical data sets in MQL5.
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Population optimization algorithms: Micro Artificial immune system (Micro-AIS)

Population optimization algorithms: Micro Artificial immune system (Micro-AIS)

The article considers an optimization method based on the principles of the body's immune system - Micro Artificial Immune System (Micro-AIS) - a modification of AIS. Micro-AIS uses a simpler model of the immune system and simple immune information processing operations. The article also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of Micro-AIS compared to conventional AIS.
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Implementation of the Augmented Dickey Fuller test in MQL5

Implementation of the Augmented Dickey Fuller test in MQL5

In this article we demonstrate the implementation of the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test, and apply it to conduct cointegration tests using the Engle-Granger method.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 10). The Unconventional RBM

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 10). The Unconventional RBM

Restrictive Boltzmann Machines are at the basic level, a two-layer neural network that is proficient at unsupervised classification through dimensionality reduction. We take its basic principles and examine if we were to re-design and train it unorthodoxly, we could get a useful signal filter.
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Population optimization algorithms: Evolution of Social Groups (ESG)

Population optimization algorithms: Evolution of Social Groups (ESG)

We will consider the principle of constructing multi-population algorithms. As an example of this type of algorithm, we will have a look at the new custom algorithm - Evolution of Social Groups (ESG). We will analyze the basic concepts, population interaction mechanisms and advantages of this algorithm, as well as examine its performance in optimization problems.
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Population optimization algorithms: Artificial Multi-Social Search Objects (MSO)

Population optimization algorithms: Artificial Multi-Social Search Objects (MSO)

This is a continuation of the previous article considering the idea of social groups. The article explores the evolution of social groups using movement and memory algorithms. The results will help to understand the evolution of social systems and apply them in optimization and search for solutions.
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Quantization in machine learning (Part 2): Data preprocessing, table selection, training CatBoost models

Quantization in machine learning (Part 2): Data preprocessing, table selection, training CatBoost models

The article considers the practical application of quantization in the construction of tree models. The methods for selecting quantum tables and data preprocessing are considered. No complex mathematical equations are used.
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Data label for time series mining (Part 5):Apply and Test in EA Using Socket

Data label for time series mining (Part 5):Apply and Test in EA Using Socket

This series of articles introduces several time series labeling methods, which can create data that meets most artificial intelligence models, and targeted data labeling according to needs can make the trained artificial intelligence model more in line with the expected design, improve the accuracy of our model, and even help the model make a qualitative leap!
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The Disagreement Problem: Diving Deeper into The Complexity Explainability in AI

The Disagreement Problem: Diving Deeper into The Complexity Explainability in AI

Dive into the heart of Artificial Intelligence's enigma as we navigate the tumultuous waters of explainability. In a realm where models conceal their inner workings, our exploration unveils the "disagreement problem" that echoes through the corridors of machine learning.
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Integrate Your Own LLM into EA (Part 3): Training Your Own LLM with CPU

Integrate Your Own LLM into EA (Part 3): Training Your Own LLM with CPU

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence today, language models (LLMs) are an important part of artificial intelligence, so we should think about how to integrate powerful LLMs into our algorithmic trading. For most people, it is difficult to fine-tune these powerful models according to their needs, deploy them locally, and then apply them to algorithmic trading. This series of articles will take a step-by-step approach to achieve this goal.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 18): Neural Architecture Search with Eigen Vectors

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 18): Neural Architecture Search with Eigen Vectors

Neural Architecture Search, an automated approach at determining the ideal neural network settings can be a plus when facing many options and large test data sets. We examine how when paired Eigen Vectors this process can be made even more efficient.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 21): Testing with Economic Calendar Data

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 21): Testing with Economic Calendar Data

Economic Calendar Data is not available for testing with Expert Advisors within Strategy Tester, by default. We look at how Databases could help in providing a work around this limitation. So, for this article we explore how SQLite databases can be used to archive Economic Calendar news such that wizard assembled Expert Advisors can use this to generate trade signals.
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Spurious Regressions in Python

Spurious Regressions in Python

Spurious regressions occur when two time series exhibit a high degree of correlation purely by chance, leading to misleading results in regression analysis. In such cases, even though variables may appear to be related, the correlation is coincidental and the model may be unreliable.
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Developing a Replay System (Part 35): Making Adjustments (I)

Developing a Replay System (Part 35): Making Adjustments (I)

Before we can move forward, we need to fix a few things. These are not actually the necessary fixes but rather improvements to the way the class is managed and used. The reason is that failures occurred due to some interaction within the system. Despite attempts to find out the cause of such failures in order to eliminate them, all these attempts were unsuccessful. Some of these cases make no sense, for example, when we use pointers or recursion in C/C++, the program crashes.
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The Group Method of Data Handling: Implementing the Multilayered Iterative Algorithm in MQL5

The Group Method of Data Handling: Implementing the Multilayered Iterative Algorithm in MQL5

In this article we describe the implementation of the Multilayered Iterative Algorithm of the Group Method of Data Handling in MQL5.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 20): Symbolic Regression

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 20): Symbolic Regression

Symbolic Regression is a form of regression that starts with minimal to no assumptions on what the underlying model that maps the sets of data under study would look like. Even though it can be implemented by Bayesian Methods or Neural Networks, we look at how an implementation with Genetic Algorithms can help customize an expert signal class usable in the MQL5 wizard.
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Population optimization algorithms: Evolution Strategies, (μ,λ)-ES and (μ+λ)-ES

Population optimization algorithms: Evolution Strategies, (μ,λ)-ES and (μ+λ)-ES

The article considers a group of optimization algorithms known as Evolution Strategies (ES). They are among the very first population algorithms to use evolutionary principles for finding optimal solutions. We will implement changes to the conventional ES variants and revise the test function and test stand methodology for the algorithms.
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A Generic Optimization Formulation (GOF) to Implement Custom Max with Constraints

A Generic Optimization Formulation (GOF) to Implement Custom Max with Constraints

In this article we will present a way to implement optimization problems with multiple objectives and constraints when selecting "Custom Max" in the Setting tab of the MetaTrader 5 terminal. As an example, the optimization problem could be: Maximize Profit Factor, Net Profit, and Recovery Factor, such that the Draw Down is less than 10%, the number of consecutive losses is less than 5, and the number of trades per week is more than 5.
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A feature selection algorithm using energy based learning in pure MQL5

A feature selection algorithm using energy based learning in pure MQL5

In this article we present the implementation of a feature selection algorithm described in an academic paper titled,"FREL: A stable feature selection algorithm", called Feature weighting as regularized energy based learning.
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Developing an MQTT client for Metatrader 5: a TDD approach — Part 5

Developing an MQTT client for Metatrader 5: a TDD approach — Part 5

This article is the fifth part of a series describing our development steps of a native MQL5 client for the MQTT 5.0 protocol. In this part we describe the structure of PUBLISH packets, how we are setting their Publish Flags, encoding Topic Name(s) strings, and setting Packet Identifier(s) when required.
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Population optimization algorithms: Binary Genetic Algorithm (BGA). Part I

Population optimization algorithms: Binary Genetic Algorithm (BGA). Part I

In this article, we will explore various methods used in binary genetic and other population algorithms. We will look at the main components of the algorithm, such as selection, crossover and mutation, and their impact on the optimization. In addition, we will study data presentation methods and their impact on optimization results.
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Developing a Replay System (Part 34): Order System (III)

Developing a Replay System (Part 34): Order System (III)

In this article, we will complete the first phase of construction. Although this part is fairly quick to complete, I will cover details that were not discussed previously. I will explain some points that many do not understand. Do you know why you have to press the Shift or Ctrl key?
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Neural networks made easy (Part 70): Closed-Form Policy Improvement Operators (CFPI)

Neural networks made easy (Part 70): Closed-Form Policy Improvement Operators (CFPI)

In this article, we will get acquainted with an algorithm that uses closed-form policy improvement operators to optimize Agent actions in offline mode.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 69): Density-based support constraint for the behavioral policy (SPOT)

Neural networks made easy (Part 69): Density-based support constraint for the behavioral policy (SPOT)

In offline learning, we use a fixed dataset, which limits the coverage of environmental diversity. During the learning process, our Agent can generate actions beyond this dataset. If there is no feedback from the environment, how can we be sure that the assessments of such actions are correct? Maintaining the Agent's policy within the training dataset becomes an important aspect to ensure the reliability of training. This is what we will talk about in this article.
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Reimagining Classic Strategies: Crude Oil

Reimagining Classic Strategies: Crude Oil

In this article, we revisit a classic crude oil trading strategy with the aim of enhancing it by leveraging supervised machine learning algorithms. We will construct a least-squares model to predict future Brent crude oil prices based on the spread between Brent and WTI crude oil prices. Our goal is to identify a leading indicator of future changes in Brent prices.
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Population optimization algorithms: Bacterial Foraging Optimization - Genetic Algorithm (BFO-GA)

Population optimization algorithms: Bacterial Foraging Optimization - Genetic Algorithm (BFO-GA)

The article presents a new approach to solving optimization problems by combining ideas from bacterial foraging optimization (BFO) algorithms and techniques used in the genetic algorithm (GA) into a hybrid BFO-GA algorithm. It uses bacterial swarming to globally search for an optimal solution and genetic operators to refine local optima. Unlike the original BFO, bacteria can now mutate and inherit genes.
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Developing an MQTT client for Metatrader 5: a TDD approach — Part 6

Developing an MQTT client for Metatrader 5: a TDD approach — Part 6

This article is the sixth part of a series describing our development steps of a native MQL5 client for the MQTT 5.0 protocol. In this part we comment on the main changes in our first refactoring, how we arrived at a viable blueprint for our packet-building classes, how we are building PUBLISH and PUBACK packets, and the semantics behind the PUBACK Reason Codes.
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Data Science and ML (Part 23): Why LightGBM and XGBoost outperform a lot of AI models?

Data Science and ML (Part 23): Why LightGBM and XGBoost outperform a lot of AI models?

These advanced gradient-=boosted decision tree techniques offer superior performance and flexibility, making them ideal for financial modeling and algorithmic trading. Learn how to leverage these tools to optimize your trading strategies, improve predictive accuracy, and gain a competitive edge in the financial markets.
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Causal inference in time series classification problems

Causal inference in time series classification problems

In this article, we will look at the theory of causal inference using machine learning, as well as the custom approach implementation in Python. Causal inference and causal thinking have their roots in philosophy and psychology and play an important role in our understanding of reality.
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Balancing risk when trading multiple instruments simultaneously

Balancing risk when trading multiple instruments simultaneously

This article will allow a beginner to write an implementation of a script from scratch for balancing risks when trading multiple instruments simultaneously. Besides, it may give experienced users new ideas for implementing their solutions in relation to the options proposed in this article.
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Gain An Edge Over Any Market (Part II): Forecasting Technical Indicators

Gain An Edge Over Any Market (Part II): Forecasting Technical Indicators

Did you know that we can gain more accuracy forecasting certain technical indicators than predicting the underlying price of a traded symbol? Join us to explore how to leverage this insight for better trading strategies.