MQL4 and 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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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 17): Mastering the Grid-Mart Scalping Strategy with a Dynamic Dashboard

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 17): Mastering the Grid-Mart Scalping Strategy with a Dynamic Dashboard

In this article, we explore the Grid-Mart Scalping Strategy, automating it in MQL5 with a dynamic dashboard for real-time trading insights. We detail its grid-based Martingale logic and risk management features. We also guide backtesting and deployment for robust performance.
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How to create a simple Multi-Currency Expert Advisor using MQL5 (Part 6): Two RSI indicators cross each other's lines

How to create a simple Multi-Currency Expert Advisor using MQL5 (Part 6): Two RSI indicators cross each other's lines

The multi-currency expert advisor in this article is an expert advisor or trading robot that uses two RSI indicators with crossing lines, the Fast RSI which crosses with the Slow RSI.
Universal regression model for market price prediction (Part 2): Natural, technological and social transient functions
Universal regression model for market price prediction (Part 2): Natural, technological and social transient functions

Universal regression model for market price prediction (Part 2): Natural, technological and social transient functions

This article is a logical continuation of the previous one. It highlights the facts that confirm the conclusions made in the first article. These facts were revealed within ten years after its publication. They are centered around three detected dynamic transient functions describing the patterns in market price changes.
How to Develop a Reliable and Safe Trade Robot in MQL 4
How to Develop a Reliable and Safe Trade Robot in MQL 4

How to Develop a Reliable and Safe Trade Robot in MQL 4

The article deals with the most common errors that occur in developing and using of an Expert Advisor. An exemplary safe automated trading system is described, as well.
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MQL5 Wizard techniques you should know (Part 01): Regression Analysis

MQL5 Wizard techniques you should know (Part 01): Regression Analysis

Todays trader is a philomath who is almost always (either consciously or not...) looking up new ideas, trying them out, choosing to modify them or discard them; an exploratory process that should cost a fair amount of diligence. This clearly places a premium on the trader's time and the need to avoid mistakes. These series of articles will proposition that the MQL5 wizard should be a mainstay for traders. Why? Because not only does the trader save time by assembling his new ideas with the MQL5 wizard, and greatly reduce mistakes from duplicate coding; he is ultimately set-up to channel his energy on the few critical areas of his trading philosophy.
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Learn how to design a trading system by DeMarker

Learn how to design a trading system by DeMarker

Here is a new article in our series about how to design a trading system by the most popular technical indicators. In this article, we will present how to create a trading system by the DeMarker indicator.
Interview with Juan Pablo Alonso Escobar (ATC 2012)
Interview with Juan Pablo Alonso Escobar (ATC 2012)

Interview with Juan Pablo Alonso Escobar (ATC 2012)

"Everyone who is struggling with programming and who were not able to participate in this year's competition, know that it becomes a lot easier in time", said Juan Pablo Alonso Escobar (JPAlonso), the hero of today's interview.
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 51): Revolutionary Chart Search Technology for Candlestick Pattern Discovery

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 51): Revolutionary Chart Search Technology for Candlestick Pattern Discovery

This article is intended for algorithmic traders, quantitative analysts, and MQL5 developers interested in enhancing their understanding of candlestick pattern recognition through practical implementation. It provides an in‑depth exploration of the CandlePatternSearch.mq5 Expert Advisor—a complete framework for detecting, visualizing, and monitoring classical candlestick formations in MetaTrader 5. Beyond a line‑by‑line review of the code, the article discusses architectural design, pattern detection logic, GUI integration, and alert mechanisms, illustrating how traditional price‑action analysis can be automated efficiently.
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Building A Candlestick Trend Constraint Model(Part 2): Merging Native Indicators

Building A Candlestick Trend Constraint Model(Part 2): Merging Native Indicators

This article focuses on taking advantage of in-built meta trader 5 indicators to screen out off-trend signals. Advancing from the previous article we will explore how to do it using MQL5 code to communicate our idea to the final program.
Other classes in DoEasy library (Part 70): Expanding functionality and auto updating the chart object collection
Other classes in DoEasy library (Part 70): Expanding functionality and auto updating the chart object collection

Other classes in DoEasy library (Part 70): Expanding functionality and auto updating the chart object collection

In this article, I will expand the functionality of chart objects and arrange navigation through charts, creation of screenshots, as well as saving and applying templates to charts. Also, I will implement auto update of the collection of chart objects, their windows and indicators within them.
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Experiments with neural networks (Part 6): Perceptron as a self-sufficient tool for price forecast

Experiments with neural networks (Part 6): Perceptron as a self-sufficient tool for price forecast

The article provides an example of using a perceptron as a self-sufficient price prediction tool by showcasing general concepts and the simplest ready-made Expert Advisor followed by the results of its optimization.
Filtering Signals Based on Statistical Data of Price Correlation
Filtering Signals Based on Statistical Data of Price Correlation

Filtering Signals Based on Statistical Data of Price Correlation

Is there any correlation between the past price behavior and its future trends? Why does the price repeat today the character of its previous day movement? Can the statistics be used to forecast the price dynamics? There is an answer, and it is positive. If you have any doubt, then this article is for you. I'll tell how to create a working filter for a trading system in MQL5, revealing an interesting pattern in price changes.
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Population optimization algorithms: Particle swarm (PSO)

Population optimization algorithms: Particle swarm (PSO)

In this article, I will consider the popular Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. Previously, we discussed such important characteristics of optimization algorithms as convergence, convergence rate, stability, scalability, as well as developed a test stand and considered the simplest RNG algorithm.
MQL4 Language for Newbies. Difficult Questions in Simple Phrases.
MQL4 Language for Newbies. Difficult Questions in Simple Phrases.

MQL4 Language for Newbies. Difficult Questions in Simple Phrases.

This is the second article from the series "MQL4 Language for Newbies". Now we will examine more complex and advanced constructions of the language, learn new options and see, how they can be applied in everyday practice. You will get acquainted with a new cycle type 'while', new condition type 'switch', operators 'break' and 'continue'. Besides you will learn to write your own functions and work with multidimensional arrays. And for a dessert I have prepared an explanation about a preprocessor.
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Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 01): First experiments (I)

Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 01): First experiments (I)

How about creating a system that would allow us to study the market when it is closed or even to simulate market situations? Here we are going to start a new series of articles in which we will deal with this topic.
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Learn how to design a trading system by Accumulation/Distribution (AD)

Learn how to design a trading system by Accumulation/Distribution (AD)

Welcome to the new article from our series about learning how to design trading systems based on the most popular technical indicators. In this article, we will learn about a new technical indicator called Accumulation/Distribution indicator and find out how to design an MQL5 trading system based on simple AD trading strategies.
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Visual evaluation of optimization results

Visual evaluation of optimization results

In this article, we will consider how to build graphs of all optimization passes and to select the optimal custom criterion. We will also see how to create a desired solution with little MQL5 knowledge, using the articles published on the website and forum comments.
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How to Implement Auto Optimization in MQL5 Expert Advisors

How to Implement Auto Optimization in MQL5 Expert Advisors

Step by step guide for auto optimization in MQL5 for Expert Advisors. We will cover robust optimization logic, best practices for parameter selection, and how to reconstruct strategies with back-testing. Additionally, higher-level methods like walk-forward optimization will be discussed to enhance your trading approach.
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Algorithmic trading based on 3D reversal patterns

Algorithmic trading based on 3D reversal patterns

Discovering a new world of automated trading on 3D bars. What does a trading robot look like on multidimensional price bars? Are "yellow" clusters of 3D bars able to predict trend reversals? What does multidimensional trading look like?
MQL5 Cloud Network: Are You Still Calculating?
MQL5 Cloud Network: Are You Still Calculating?

MQL5 Cloud Network: Are You Still Calculating?

It will soon be a year and a half since the MQL5 Cloud Network has been launched. This leading edge event ushered in a new era of algorithmic trading - now with a couple of clicks, traders can have hundreds and thousands of computing cores at their disposal for the optimization of their trading strategies.
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part II)
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part II)

Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part II)

In this article the author continues to analyze implementation algorithms of simplest trading systems and describes some relevant details of using optimization results. The article will be useful for beginning traders and EA writers.
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Develop a Proof-of-Concept DLL with C++ multi-threading support for MetaTrader 5 on Linux

Develop a Proof-of-Concept DLL with C++ multi-threading support for MetaTrader 5 on Linux

We will begin the journey to explore the steps and workflow on how to base development for MetaTrader 5 platform solely on Linux system in which the final product works seamlessly on both Windows and Linux system. We will get to know Wine, and Mingw; both are the essential tools to make cross-platform development works. Especially Mingw for its threading implementations (POSIX, and Win32) that we need to consider in choosing which one to go with. We then build a proof-of-concept DLL and consume it in MQL5 code, finally compare the performance of both threading implementations. All for your foundation to expand further on your own. You should be comfortable building MT related tools on Linux after reading this article.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part IX): Compatibility with MQL4 - Preparing data
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part IX): Compatibility with MQL4 - Preparing data

Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part IX): Compatibility with MQL4 - Preparing data

In the previous articles, we started creating a large cross-platform library simplifying the development of programs for MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4 platforms. In the eighth part, we implemented the class for tracking order and position modification events. Here, we will improve the library by making it fully compatible with MQL4.
Building an Interactive Application to Display RSS Feeds in MetaTrader 5
Building an Interactive Application to Display RSS Feeds in MetaTrader 5

Building an Interactive Application to Display RSS Feeds in MetaTrader 5

In this article we look at the possibility of creating an application for the display of RSS feeds. The article will show how aspects of the Standard Library can be used to create interactive programs for MetaTrader 5.
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Gradient boosting in transductive and active machine learning

Gradient boosting in transductive and active machine learning

In this article, we will consider active machine learning methods utilizing real data, as well discuss their pros and cons. Perhaps you will find these methods useful and will include them in your arsenal of machine learning models. Transduction was introduced by Vladimir Vapnik, who is the co-inventor of the Support-Vector Machine (SVM).
Drawing Horizontal Break-Through Levels Using Fractals
Drawing Horizontal Break-Through Levels Using Fractals

Drawing Horizontal Break-Through Levels Using Fractals

The article describes creation of an indicator that would display the support/resistance levels using up/down fractals.
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Creating an EA that works automatically (Part 03): New functions

Creating an EA that works automatically (Part 03): New functions

Today we'll see how to create an Expert Advisor that simply and safely works in automatic mode. In the previous article, we started to develop an order system that we will use in our automated EA. However, we have created only one of the necessary functions.
A Library for Constructing a Chart via Google Chart API
A Library for Constructing a Chart via Google Chart API

A Library for Constructing a Chart via Google Chart API

The construction of various types of diagrams is an essential part of the analyses of the market situation and the testing of a trading system. Frequently, in order to construct a nice looking diagram, it is necessary to organize the data output into a file, after which it is used in applications such as MS Excel. This is not very convenient and deprives us of the ability to dynamically update the data. Google Charts API provided the means for creating charts in online modes, by sending a special request to the server. In this article we attempt to automate the process of creating such a request and obtaining a chart from the Google server.
What Is a Martingale?
What Is a Martingale?

What Is a Martingale?

A short description of various illusions that come up when people trade using martingale betting strategies or misuse spiking and the like approaches.
Running MetaTrader 4 Client Terminal on Linux-Desktop
Running MetaTrader 4 Client Terminal on Linux-Desktop

Running MetaTrader 4 Client Terminal on Linux-Desktop

Description of a step-by-step Linux-desktop setup using a non-emulator wine for running MetaTrader 4 Client Terminal on it.
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Developing Advanced ICT Trading Systems: Implementing Signals in the Order Blocks Indicator

Developing Advanced ICT Trading Systems: Implementing Signals in the Order Blocks Indicator

In this article, you will learn how to develop an Order Blocks indicator based on order book volume (market depth) and optimize it using buffers to improve accuracy. This concludes the current stage of the project and prepares for the next phase, which will include the implementation of a risk management class and a trading bot that uses signals generated by the indicator.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 19): Envelopes Trend Bounce Scalping — Trade Execution and Risk Management (Part II)

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 19): Envelopes Trend Bounce Scalping — Trade Execution and Risk Management (Part II)

In this article, we implement trade execution and risk management for the Envelopes Trend Bounce Scalping Strategy in MQL5. We implement order placement and risk controls like stop-loss and position sizing. We conclude with backtesting and optimization, building on Part 18’s foundation.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 22): Creating a Zone Recovery System for Envelopes Trend Trading

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 22): Creating a Zone Recovery System for Envelopes Trend Trading

In this article, we develop a Zone Recovery System integrated with an Envelopes trend-trading strategy in MQL5. We outline the architecture for using RSI and Envelopes indicators to trigger trades and manage recovery zones to mitigate losses. Through implementation and backtesting, we show how to build an effective automated trading system for dynamic markets
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MQL5 Wizard techniques you should know (Part 05): Markov Chains

MQL5 Wizard techniques you should know (Part 05): Markov Chains

Markov chains are a powerful mathematical tool that can be used to model and forecast time series data in various fields, including finance. In financial time series modelling and forecasting, Markov chains are often used to model the evolution of financial assets over time, such as stock prices or exchange rates. One of the main advantages of Markov chain models is their simplicity and ease of use.
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MQL5 Wizard techniques you should know (Part 06): Fourier Transform

MQL5 Wizard techniques you should know (Part 06): Fourier Transform

The Fourier transform introduced by Joseph Fourier is a means of deconstructing complex data wave points into simple constituent waves. This feature could be resourceful to traders and this article takes a look at that.
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Learn how to design a trading system by Chaikin Oscillator

Learn how to design a trading system by Chaikin Oscillator

Welcome to our new article from our series about learning how to design a trading system by the most popular technical indicator. Through this new article, we will learn how to design a trading system by the Chaikin Oscillator indicator.
Prices in DoEasy library (part 60): Series list of symbol tick data
Prices in DoEasy library (part 60): Series list of symbol tick data

Prices in DoEasy library (part 60): Series list of symbol tick data

In this article, I will create the list for storing tick data of a single symbol and check its creation and retrieval of required data in an EA. Tick data lists that are individual for each used symbol will further constitute a collection of tick data.
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 6): Mean Reversion Signal Reaper

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 6): Mean Reversion Signal Reaper

While some concepts may seem straightforward at first glance, bringing them to life in practice can be quite challenging. In the article below, we'll take you on a journey through our innovative approach to automating an Expert Advisor (EA) that skillfully analyzes the market using a mean reversion strategy. Join us as we unravel the intricacies of this exciting automation process.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 14): Data clustering

Neural networks made easy (Part 14): Data clustering

It has been more than a year since I published my last article. This is quite a lot time to revise ideas and to develop new approaches. In the new article, I would like to divert from the previously used supervised learning method. This time we will dip into unsupervised learning algorithms. In particular, we will consider one of the clustering algorithms—k-means.
Calculation of Integral Characteristics of Indicator Emissions
Calculation of Integral Characteristics of Indicator Emissions

Calculation of Integral Characteristics of Indicator Emissions

Indicator emissions are a little-studied area of market research. Primarily, this is due to the difficulty of analysis that is caused by the processing of very large arrays of time-varying data. Existing graphical analysis is too resource intensive and has therefore triggered the development of a parsimonious algorithm that uses time series of emissions. This article demonstrates how visual (intuitive image) analysis can be replaced with the study of integral characteristics of emissions. It can be of interest to both traders and developers of automated trading systems.