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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MQL5 Cookbook: Handling Typical Chart Events
This article considers typical chart events and includes examples of their processing. We will focus on mouse events, keystrokes, creation/modification/removal of a graphical object, mouse click on a chart and on a graphical object, moving a graphical object with a mouse, finish editing of text in a text field, as well as on chart modification events. A sample of an MQL5 program is provided for each type of event considered.
Synchronization of Expert Advisors, Scripts and Indicators
The article considers the necessity and general principles of developing a bundled program that would contain both an Expert Advisor, a script and an indicator.
Creating an EA that works automatically (Part 02): Getting started with the code
Today we'll see how to create an Expert Advisor that simply and safely works in automatic mode. In the previous article, we discussed the first steps that anyone needs to understand before proceeding to creating an Expert Advisor that trades automatically. We considered the concepts and the structure.
Data Science and Machine Learning — Neural Network (Part 01): Feed Forward Neural Network demystified
Many people love them but a few understand the whole operations behind Neural Networks. In this article I will try to explain everything that goes behind closed doors of a feed-forward multi-layer perception in plain English.
Implementation of Indicators as Classes by Examples of Zigzag and ATR
Debate about an optimal way of calculating indicators is endless. Where should we calculate the indicator values - in the indicator itself or embed the entire logic in a Expert Advisor that uses it? The article describes one of the variants of moving the source code of a custom indicator iCustom right in the code of an Expert Advisor or script with optimization of calculations and modeling the prev_calculated value.
Cross-Platform Expert Advisor: Reuse of Components from the MQL5 Standard Library
There exists some components in the MQL5 Standard Library that may prove to be useful in the MQL4 version of cross-platform expert advisors. This article deals with a method of making certain components of the MQL5 Standard Library compatible with the MQL4 compiler.
Universal Expert Advisor: CUnIndicator and Use of Pending Orders (Part 9)
The article describes the work with indicators through the universal CUnIndicator class. In addition, new methods of working with pending orders are considered. Please note: from this point on, the structure of the CStrategy project has undergone substantial changes. Now all its files are located in a single directory for the convenience of users.
Graphical Interfaces VI: the Checkbox Control, the Edit Control and their Mixed Types (Chapter 1)
This article is the beginning of the sixth part of the series dedicated to the development of the library for creating graphical interfaces in the MetaTrader terminals. In the first chapter, we are going to discuss the checkbox control, the edit control and their mixed types.
Graphical Interfaces VI: the Slider and the Dual Slider Controls (Chapter 2)
In the previous article, we have enriched our library with four controls frequently used in graphical interfaces: checkbox, edit, edit with checkbox and check combobox. The second chapter of the sixth part will be dedicated to the slider and the dual slider controls.
Making a dashboard to display data in indicators and EAs
In this article, we will create a dashboard class to be used in indicators and EAs. This is an introductory article in a small series of articles with templates for including and using standard indicators in Expert Advisors. I will start by creating a panel similar to the MetaTrader 5 data window.
Alert and Comment for External Indicators. Multi-Currency Analysis Through External Scanning
Alert for multi-currency and multiple time frame analysis of external indicators. The article deals with a method of getting event information in respect of events in external indicators, without having to attach indicators to a chart or open charts themselves. We will call it external scanning.
Forex Trading ABC
Working on financial markets represents, first of all, trade operations. We all, starting from the very childhood, have an intuitive idea of what is to buy and to sell. But Forex trading is still something special. This article deals with the ideas necessary to explain some terms. We will also consider the MQL 4 functions that correspond with those terms.
MQL5 Cookbook: Writing the History of Deals to a File and Creating Balance Charts for Each Symbol in Excel
When communicating in various forums, I often used examples of my test results displayed as screenshots of Microsoft Excel charts. I have many times been asked to explain how such charts can be created. Finally, I now have some time to explain it all in this article.
Deep Neural Networks (Part II). Working out and selecting predictors
The second article of the series about deep neural networks will consider the transformation and choice of predictors during the process of preparing data for training a model.
The Inverse Fair Value Gap Trading Strategy
An inverse fair value gap(IFVG) occurs when price returns to a previously identified fair value gap and, instead of showing the expected supportive or resistive reaction, fails to respect it. This failure can signal a potential shift in market direction and offer a contrarian trading edge. In this article, I'm going to introduce my self-developed approach to quantifying and utilizing inverse fair value gap as a strategy for MetaTrader 5 expert advisors.
Deep Neural Networks (Part II). Working out and selecting predictors
The second article of the series about deep neural networks will consider the transformation and choice of predictors during the process of preparing data for training a model.
Universal Expert Advisor: Trading in a Group and Managing a Portfolio of Strategies (Part 4)
In the last part of the series of articles about the CStrategy trading engine, we will consider simultaneous operation of multiple trading algorithms, will learn to load strategies from XML files, and will present a simple panel for selecting Expert Advisors from a single executable module, and managing their trading modes.
Analysis of the Main Characteristics of Time Series
This article introduces a class designed to give a quick preliminary estimate of characteristics of various time series. As this takes place, statistical parameters and autocorrelation function are estimated, a spectral estimation of time series is carried out and a histogram is built.
Testing of Expert Advisors in the MetaTrader 4 Client Terminal: An Outward Glance
What happens after you have clicked on the "Start" button? The article answers this and many other questions.
Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 5): Developing the Adaptive Crossover RSI Trading Suite Strategy
In this article, we develop the Adaptive Crossover RSI Trading Suite System, which uses 14- and 50-period moving average crossovers for signals, confirmed by a 14-period RSI filter. The system includes a trading day filter, signal arrows with annotations, and a real-time dashboard for monitoring. This approach ensures precision and adaptability in automated trading.
CatBoost machine learning algorithm from Yandex with no Python or R knowledge required
The article provides the code and the description of the main stages of the machine learning process using a specific example. To obtain the model, you do not need Python or R knowledge. Furthermore, basic MQL5 knowledge is enough — this is exactly my level. Therefore, I hope that the article will serve as a good tutorial for a broad audience, assisting those interested in evaluating machine learning capabilities and in implementing them in their programs.
Neural networks made easy (Part 11): A take on GPT
Perhaps one of the most advanced models among currently existing language neural networks is GPT-3, the maximal variant of which contains 175 billion parameters. Of course, we are not going to create such a monster on our home PCs. However, we can view which architectural solutions can be used in our work and how we can benefit from them.
MQL as a Markup Tool for the Graphical Interface of MQL Programs. Part 2
This paper continues checking the new conception to describe the window interface of MQL programs, using the structures of MQL. Automatically creating GUI based on the MQL markup provides additional functionality for caching and dynamically generating the elements and controlling the styles and new schemes for processing the events. Attached is an enhanced version of the standard library of controls.
Testing patterns that arise when trading currency pair baskets. Part I
We begin testing the patterns and trying the methods described in the articles about trading currency pair baskets. Let's see how oversold/overbought level breakthrough patterns are applied in practice.
Statistical Probability Distributions in MQL5
The article addresses probability distributions (normal, log-normal, binomial, logistic, exponential, Cauchy distribution, Student's t-distribution, Laplace distribution, Poisson distribution, Hyperbolic Secant distribution, Beta and Gamma distribution) of random variables used in Applied Statistics. It also features classes for handling these distributions.
Selection and navigation utility in MQL5 and MQL4: Adding auto search for patterns and displaying detected symbols
In this article, we continue expanding the features of the utility for collecting and navigating through symbols. This time, we will create new tabs displaying only the symbols that satisfy some of the necessary parameters and find out how to easily add custom tabs with the necessary sorting rules.
An Analysis of Why Expert Advisors Fail
This article presents an analysis of currency data to better understand why expert advisors can have good performance in some regions of time and poor performance in other regions of time.
The Last Crusade
Take a look at your trading terminal. What means of price presentation can you see? Bars, candlesticks, lines. We are chasing time and prices whereas we only profit from prices. Shall we only give attention to prices when analyzing the market? This article proposes an algorithm and a script for point and figure charting ("naughts and crosses") Consideration is given to various price patterns whose practical use is outlined in recommendations provided.
Testing Expert Advisors on Non-Standard Time Frames
It's not just simple; it's super simple. Testing Expert Advisors on non-standard time frames is possible! All we need to do is to replace standard time frame data with non-standard time frame data. Furthermore, we can even test Expert Advisors that use data from several non-standard time frames.
MQL Parsing by Means of MQL
The article describes a preprocessor, a scanner, and a parser to be used in parsing the MQL-based source codes. MQL implementation is attached.
Money Management Revisited
The article deals with some issues arising when traders apply various money management systems to Forex trading. Experimental data obtained from performing trading deals using different money management (MM) methods is also described.
Using the TesterWithdrawal() Function for Modeling the Withdrawals of Profit
This article describes the usage of the TesterWithDrawal() function for estimating risks in trade systems which imply the withdrawing of a certain part of assets during their operation. In addition, it describes the effect of this function on the algorithm of calculation of the drawdown of equity in the strategy tester. This function is useful when optimizing parameter of your Expert Advisors.
How to build and optimize a cycle-based trading system (Detrended Price Oscillator - DPO)
This article explains how to design and optimise a trading system using the Detrended Price Oscillator (DPO) in MQL5. It outlines the indicator's core logic, demonstrating how it identifies short-term cycles by filtering out long-term trends. Through a series of step-by-step examples and simple strategies, readers will learn how to code it, define entry and exit signals, and conduct backtesting. Finally, the article presents practical optimization methods to enhance performance and adapt the system to changing market conditions.
Graphical interfaces X: Advanced management of lists and tables. Code optimization (build 7)
The library code needs to be optimized: it should be more regularized, which is — more readable and comprehensible for studying. In addition, we will continue to develop the controls created previously: lists, tables and scrollbars.
How to build and optimize a cycle-based trading system (Detrended Price Oscillator - DPO)
This article explains how to design and optimise a trading system using the Detrended Price Oscillator (DPO) in MQL5. It outlines the indicator's core logic, demonstrating how it identifies short-term cycles by filtering out long-term trends. Through a series of step-by-step examples and simple strategies, readers will learn how to code it, define entry and exit signals, and conduct backtesting. Finally, the article presents practical optimization methods to enhance performance and adapt the system to changing market conditions.
Naive Bayes classifier for signals of a set of indicators
The article analyzes the application of the Bayes' formula for increasing the reliability of trading systems by means of using signals from multiple independent indicators. Theoretical calculations are verified with a simple universal EA, configured to work with arbitrary indicators.
Graphical interfaces X: Advanced management of lists and tables. Code optimization (build 7)
The library code needs to be optimized: it should be more regularized, which is — more readable and comprehensible for studying. In addition, we will continue to develop the controls created previously: lists, tables and scrollbars.
Take a few lessons from Prop Firms (Part 1) — An introduction
In this introductory article, I address a few of the lessons one can take from the challenge rules that proprietary trading firms implement. This is especially relevant for beginners and those who struggle to find their footing in this world of trading. The subsequent article will address the code implementation.
Learn how to design a trading system by Awesome Oscillator
In this new article in our series, we will learn about a new technical tool that may be useful in our trading. It is the Awesome Oscillator (AO) indicator. We will learn how to design a trading system by this indicator.
Interview with Alexey Masterov (ATC 2012)
We do our best to introduce all the leading Championship Participants to our audience in reasonable time. To achieve that, we closely monitor the most promising contestants in our TOP-10 and arrange interviews with them. However, the sharp rise of Alexey Masterov (reinhard) up to the third place has become a real surprise!