MQL4 and MQL5 Programming Articles
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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Creating a trading robot for Moscow Exchange. Where to start?
Many traders on Moscow Exchange would like to automate their trading algorithms, but they do not know where to start. The MQL5 language offers a huge range of trading functions, and it additionally provides ready classes that help users to make their first steps in algo trading.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXVII): Working with trading requests - placing pending orders
In this article, we will continue the development of trading requests, implement placing pending orders and eliminate detected shortcomings of the trading class operation.
Neural networks made easy (Part 4): Recurrent networks
We continue studying the world of neural networks. In this article, we will consider another type of neural networks, recurrent networks. This type is proposed for use with time series, which are represented in the MetaTrader 5 trading platform by price charts.
Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 43): Candlestick Probability and Breakouts
Enhance your market analysis with the MQL5-native Candlestick Probability EA, a lightweight tool that transforms raw price bars into real-time, instrument-specific probability insights. It classifies Pinbars, Engulfing, and Doji patterns at bar close, uses ATR-aware filtering, and optional breakout confirmation. The EA calculates raw and volume-weighted follow-through percentages, helping you understand each pattern's typical outcome on specific symbols and timeframes. On-chart markers, a compact dashboard, and interactive toggles allow easy validation and focus. Export detailed CSV logs for offline testing. Use it to develop probability profiles, optimize strategies, and turn pattern recognition into a measurable edge.
Multibot in MetaTrader: Launching multiple robots from a single chart
In this article, I will consider a simple template for creating a universal MetaTrader robot that can be used on multiple charts while being attached to only one chart, without the need to configure each instance of the robot on each individual chart.
An Expert Advisor Made to Order. Manual for a Trader
Not all traders are programmers. And not all of the programmers are really good ones. So, what should be done, if you need to automate your system by do not have time and desire to study MQL4?
Data Science and Machine Learning (Part 01): Linear Regression
It's time for us as traders to train our systems and ourselves to make decisions based on what number says. Not on our eyes, and what our guts make us believe, this is where the world is heading so, let us move perpendicular to the direction of the wave.
Developing a cross-platform grider EA (part II): Range-based grid in trend direction
In this article, we will develop a grider EA for trading in a trend direction within a range. Thus, the EA is to be suited mostly for Forex and commodity markets. According to the tests, our grider showed profit since 2018. Unfortunately, this is not true for the period of 2014-2018.
What is Martingale and Is It Reasonable to Use It?
This article contains a detailed description of the Martingale system, as well as precise mathematical calculations, necessary for answering the question: "Is it reasonable to use Martingale?".
Interview with Dmitry Terentew (ATC 2012)
Is it really necessary to be a programmer to develop trading robots? Do we need to spend years monitoring price charts to be able to "feel" the market? All these issues have been discussed in our interview with Dmitry Terentew (SAFF), whose trading robot has been occupying the first page of the Championship from the very beginning.
What you can do with Moving Averages
The article considers several methods of applying the Moving Average indicator. Each method involving a curve analysis is accompanied by indicators visualizing the idea. In most cases, the ideas shown here belong to their respected authors. My sole task was to bring them together to let you see the main approaches and, hopefully, make more reasonable trading decisions. MQL5 proficiency level — basic.
Layman's Notes: ZigZag…
Surely, a fey thought to trade closely to extremums visited every apprentice trader when he/she saw "enigmatic" polyline for the first time. It's so simple, indeed. Here is the maximum. And there is the minimum. A beautiful picture on the history. And what is in practice? A ray is drawn. It should seem, that is it, the peak! It is time to sell. And now we go down. But hell no! The price is treacherously moving upwards. Haw! It's a trifle, not an indicator. And you throw it out!
Building interactive semi-automatic drag-and-drop Expert Advisor based on predefined risk and R/R ratio
Some traders execute all their trades automatically, and some mix automatic and manual trades based on the output of several indicators. Being a member of the latter group I needed an interactive tool to asses dynamically risk and reward price levels directly from the chart. This article will present a way to implement an interactive semi-automatic Expert Advisor with predefined equity risk and R/R ratio. The Expert Advisor risk, R/R and lot size parameters can be changed during runtime on the EA panel.
Evaluating the effectiveness of trading systems by analyzing their components
This article explores the effectiveness of complex trading systems by analyzing the efficiency of its individual components. Any analysis, whether it is graphic, based on indicators, or any other, is one of the key components of successful trading in financial markets. This article is to some extent a research of few simple and independent trading systems for analyzing their effectiveness and usefulness of the joint application.
Timeseries in DoEasy library (part 37): Timeseries collection - database of timeseries by symbols and periods
The article deals with the development of the timeseries collection of specified timeframes for all symbols used in the program. We are going to develop the timeseries collection, the methods of setting collection's timeseries parameters and the initial filling of developed timeseries with historical data.
The correct way to choose an Expert Advisor from the Market
In this article, we will consider some of the essential points you should pay attention to when purchasing an Expert Advisor. We will also look for ways to increase profit, to spend money wisely, and to earn from this spending. Also, after reading the article, you will see that it is possible to earn even using simple and free products.
Tips for Selecting a Trading Signal to Subscribe. Step-By-Step Guide
This step-by-step guide is dedicated to the Signals service, examination of trading signals, a system approach to the search of a required signal which would satisfy criteria of profitability, risk, trading ambitions, working on various types of accounts and financial instruments.
Practical application of neural networks in trading (Part 2). Computer vision
The use of computer vision allows training neural networks on the visual representation of the price chart and indicators. This method enables wider operations with the whole complex of technical indicators, since there is no need to feed them digitally into the neural network.
Larry Williams Market Secrets (Part 1): Building a Swing Structure Indicator in MQL5
A practical guide to building a Larry Williams–style market structure indicator in MQL5, covering buffer setup, swing-point detection, plot configuration, and how traders can apply the indicator in technical market analysis.
The RSI Deep Three Move Trading Technique
Presenting the RSI Deep Three Move Trading Technique in MetaTrader 5. This article is based on a new series of studies that showcase a few trading techniques based on the RSI, a technical analysis indicator used to measure the strength and momentum of a security, such as a stock, currency, or commodity.
Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 63): Automating Rising and Falling Wedge Detection in MQL5
In this part of the Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development series, we develop an MQL5 indicator that automatically detects rising and falling wedge patterns in real time. The system confirms pivot structures, validates boundary convergence mathematically, prevents overlapping formations, and monitors breakout and failure conditions with precise visual feedback. Built using a clean object-oriented architecture, this implementation converts subjective wedge recognition into a structured, state-aware analytical component designed to strengthen disciplined price action analysis.
Fast Testing of Trading Ideas on the Chart
The article describes the method of fast visual testing of trading ideas. The method is based on the combination of a price chart, a signal indicator and a balance calculation indicator. I would like to share my method of searching for trading ideas, as well as the method I use for fast testing of these ideas.
Exploring options for creating multicolored candlesticks
In this article I will address the possibilities of creating customized indicators with candlesticks, pointing out their advantages and disadvantages.
Manual charting and trading toolkit (Part III). Optimization and new tools
In this article, we will further develop the idea of drawing graphical objects on charts using keyboard shortcuts. New tools have been added to the library, including a straight line plotted through arbitrary vertices, and a set of rectangles that enable the evaluation of the reversal time and level. Also, the article shows the possibility to optimize code for improved performance. The implementation example has been rewritten, allowing the use of Shortcuts alongside other trading programs. Required code knowledge level: slightly higher than a beginner.
Matrices and vectors in MQL5
By using special data types 'matrix' and 'vector', it is possible to create code which is very close to mathematical notation. With these methods, you can avoid the need to create nested loops or to mind correct indexing of arrays in calculations. Therefore, the use of matrix and vector methods increases the reliability and speed in developing complex programs.
Self-adapting algorithm (Part IV): Additional functionality and tests
I continue filling the algorithm with the minimum necessary functionality and testing the results. The profitability is quite low but the articles demonstrate the model of the fully automated profitable trading on completely different instruments traded on fundamentally different markets.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XVII): Interactivity of library objects
In this article, we are going to finish the development of the base object of all library objects, so that any library object based on it is able to interact with a user. For example, users will be able to set the maximum acceptable size of a spread for opening a position and a price level, upon reaching which an event from a symbol object is sent to the program with the spread or price level-based signal.
Modeling time series using custom symbols according to specified distribution laws
The article provides an overview of the terminal's capabilities for creating and working with custom symbols, offers options for simulating a trading history using custom symbols, trend and various chart patterns.
Graphical Interfaces VII: the Tables Controls (Chapter 1)
The seventh part of the series on MetaTrader graphical interfaces deals with three table types: text label, edit box and rendered one. Another important and frequently used controls are tabs allowing you to show/hide groups of other controls and develop space effective interfaces in your MQL applications.
Learn how to design a trading system by Alligator
In this article, we'll complete our series about how to design a trading system based on the most popular technical indicator. We'll learn how to create a trading system based on the Alligator indicator.
Money management in trading
We will look at several new ways of building money management systems and define their main features. Today, there are quite a few money management strategies to fit every taste. We will try to consider several ways to manage money based on different mathematical growth models.
A Method of Drawing the Support/Resistance Levels
This article describes the process of creating a simple script for detecting the support/resistance levels. It is written for beginners, so you can find the detailed explanation of every stage of the process. However, though the script is very simple, the article will be also useful for advanced traders and the users of the MetaTrader 4 platform. It contains the examples of the data export into the tabular format, the import of the table to Microsoft Excel and plotting the charts for the further detailed analysis.
How to develop any type of Trailing Stop and connect it to an EA
In this article, we will look at classes for convenient creation of various trailings, as well as learn how to connect a trailing stop to any EA.
Better Programmer (Part 06): 9 habits that lead to effective coding
It's not always all about writing the code that leads to effective coding. There are certain habits that I have found in my experience that lead to effective coding. We are going to discuss some of them in detail in this article. This is a must-read article for every programmer who wants to improve their ability to write complex algorithms with less hassle.
Combination scalping: analyzing trades from the past to increase the performance of future trades
The article provides the description of the technology aimed at increasing the effectiveness of any automated trading system. It provides a brief explanation of the idea, as well as its underlying basics, possibilities and disadvantages.
Patterns available when trading currency baskets. Part III
This is the final article devoted to the patterns that occur when trading currency pair baskets. It considers combined trend-following indicators and application of standard graphical constructions.
Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 7): Building a Grid Trading EA with Dynamic Lot Scaling
In this article, we build a grid trading expert advisor in MQL5 that uses dynamic lot scaling. We cover the strategy design, code implementation, and backtesting process. Finally, we share key insights and best practices for optimizing the automated trading system.
A Few Tips for First-Time Customers
A proverbial wisdom often attributed to various famous people says: "He who makes no mistakes never makes anything." Unless you consider idleness itself a mistake, this statement is hard to argue with. But you can always analyze the past mistakes (your own and of others) to minimize the number of your future mistakes. We are going to attempt to review possible situations arising when executing jobs in the same-name service.
Graphical Interfaces V: The Combobox Control (Chapter 3)
In the first two chapters of the fifth part of the series, we developed classes for creating a scrollbar and a view list. In this chapter, we will speak about creating a class for the combobox control. This is also a compound control containing, among others, elements considered in the previous chapters of the fifth part.
Using the CCanvas class in MQL applications
The article considers the use of the CCanvas class in MQL applications. The theory is accompanied by detailed explanations and examples for thorough understanding of CCanvas basics.