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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Estimate future performance with confidence intervals
In this article we delve into the application of boostrapping techniques as a means to estimate the future performance of an automated strategy.
Reusing Invalidated Orderblocks As Mitigation Blocks (SMC)
In this article, we explore how previously invalidated orderblocks can be reused as mitigation blocks within Smart Money Concepts (SMC). These zones reveal where institutional traders re-enter the market after a failed orderblock, providing high-probability areas for trade continuation in the dominant trend.
Building AI-Powered Trading Systems in MQL5 (Part 8): UI Polish with Animations, Timing Metrics, and Response Management Tools
In this article, we enhance the AI-powered trading system in MQL5 with user interface improvements, including loading animations for request preparation and thinking phases, as well as timing metrics displayed in responses for better feedback. We add response management tools like regenerate buttons to re-query the AI and export options to save the last response to a file, streamlining interaction.
Creating a Trading Administrator Panel in MQL5 (Part IX): Code Organization (IV): Trade Management Panel class
This discussion covers the updated TradeManagementPanel in our New_Admin_Panel EA. The update enhances the panel by using built-in classes to offer a user-friendly trade management interface. It includes trading buttons for opening positions and controls for managing existing trades and pending orders. A key feature is the integrated risk management that allows setting stop loss and take profit values directly in the interface. This update improves code organization for large programs and simplifies access to order management tools, which are often complex in the terminal.
Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 3): Architecture revision
We have already made some progress in developing a multi-currency EA with several strategies working in parallel. Considering the accumulated experience, let's review the architecture of our solution and try to improve it before we go too far ahead.
Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part III): Forecasting Higher Highs And Lower Lows
In this series article, we will empirically analyze classic trading strategies to see if we can improve them using AI. In today's discussion, we tried to predict higher highs and lower lows using the Linear Discriminant Analysis model.
Data Science and ML (Part 29): Essential Tips for Selecting the Best Forex Data for AI Training Purposes
In this article, we dive deep into the crucial aspects of choosing the most relevant and high-quality Forex data to enhance the performance of AI models.
Statistical Arbitrage Through Cointegrated Stocks (Part 6): Scoring System
In this article, we propose a scoring system for mean-reversion strategies based on statistical arbitrage of cointegrated stocks. The article suggests criteria that go from liquidity and transaction costs to the number of cointegration ranks and time to mean-reversion, while taking into account the strategic criteria of data frequency (timeframe) and the lookback period for cointegration tests, which are evaluated before the score ranking properly. The files required for the reproduction of the backtest are provided, and their results are commented on as well.
DoEasy. Controls (Part 16): TabControl WinForms object — several rows of tab headers, stretching headers to fit the container
In this article, I will continue the development of TabControl and implement the arrangement of tab headers on all four sides of the control for all modes of setting the size of headers: Normal, Fixed and Fill To Right.
Neural Networks Made Easy (Part 93): Adaptive Forecasting in Frequency and Time Domains (Final Part)
In this article, we continue the implementation of the approaches of the ATFNet model, which adaptively combines the results of 2 blocks (frequency and time) within time series forecasting.
Using association rules in Forex data analysis
How to apply predictive rules of supermarket retail analytics to the real Forex market? How are purchases of cookies, milk and bread related to stock exchange transactions? The article discusses an innovative approach to algorithmic trading based on the use of association rules.
Mining Central Bank Balance Sheet Data to Get a Picture of Global Liquidity
Mining central bank balance sheet data provides a picture of global liquidity in the Forex market and key currencies. We combine data from the Fed, ECB, BOJ and PBoC into a composite index and use machine learning to uncover hidden patterns. This approach turns raw data into real trading signals by combining fundamental and technical analysis.
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.
Neural Networks in Trading: Dual Clustering of Multivariate Time Series (Final Part)
We continue to implement approaches proposed vy the authors of the DUET framework, which offers an innovative approach to time series analysis, combining temporal and channel clustering to uncover hidden patterns in the analyzed data.
Neural Networks in Trading: Transformer with Relative Encoding
Self-supervised learning can be an effective way to analyze large amounts of unlabeled data. The efficiency is provided by the adaptation of models to the specific features of financial markets, which helps improve the effectiveness of traditional methods. This article introduces an alternative attention mechanism that takes into account the relative dependencies and relationships between inputs.
Interview with Ge Senlin (ATC 2011)
The Expert Advisor by Ge Senlin (yyy999) from China got featured in the top ten of the Automated Trading Championship 2011 in late October and hasn't left it since then. Not often participants from the PRC show good results in the Championship - Forex trading is not allowed in this country. After the poor results in the previous year ATC, Senlin has prepared a new multicurrency Expert Advisor that never closes loss positions and uses position increase instead. Let's see whether this EA will be able to rise even higher with such a risky strategy.
MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 77): Using Gator Oscillator and the Accumulation/Distribution Oscillator
The Gator Oscillator by Bill Williams and the Accumulation/Distribution Oscillator are another indicator pairing that could be used harmoniously within an MQL5 Expert Advisor. We use the Gator Oscillator for its ability to affirm trends, while the A/D is used to provide confirmation of the trends via checks on volume. In exploring this indicator pairing, as always, we use the MQL5 wizard to build and test out their potential.
Self Optimizing Expert Advisor With MQL5 And Python (Part IV): Stacking Models
Today, we will demonstrate how you can build AI-powered trading applications capable of learning from their own mistakes. We will demonstrate a technique known as stacking, whereby we use 2 models to make 1 prediction. The first model is typically a weaker learner, and the second model is typically a more powerful model that learns the residuals of our weaker learner. Our goal is to create an ensemble of models, to hopefully attain higher accuracy.
Trading with the MQL5 Economic Calendar (Part 4): Implementing Real-Time News Updates in the Dashboard
This article enhances our Economic Calendar dashboard by implementing real-time news updates to keep market information current and actionable. We integrate live data fetching techniques in MQL5 to update events on the dashboard continuously, improving the responsiveness of the interface. This update ensures that we can access the latest economic news directly from the dashboard, optimizing trading decisions based on the freshest data.
Self Optimizing Expert Advisors in MQL5 (Part 10): Matrix Factorization
Factorization is a mathematical process used to gain insights into the attributes of data. When we apply factorization to large sets of market data — organized in rows and columns — we can uncover patterns and characteristics of the market. Factorization is a powerful tool, and this article will show how you can use it within the MetaTrader 5 terminal, through the MQL5 API, to gain more profound insights into your market data.
Creating Custom Indicators in MQL5 (Part 8): Adding Volume Integration for Deeper Market Profile Analysis
In this article, we enhance the hybrid Time Price Opportunity (TPO) market profile indicator in MQL5 by integrating volume data to calculate volume-based point of control, value areas, and volume-weighted average price with customizable highlighting options. The system introduces advanced features like initial balance detection, key level extension lines, split profiles, and alternative TPO characters such as squares or circles for improved visual analysis across multiple timeframes.
DoEasy. Controls (Part 17): Cropping invisible object parts, auxiliary arrow buttons WinForms objects
In this article, I will create the functionality for hiding object sections located beyond their containers. Besides, I will create auxiliary arrow button objects to be used as part of other WinForms objects.
MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 61): Using Patterns of ADX and CCI with Supervised Learning
The ADX Oscillator and CCI oscillator are trend following and momentum indicators that can be paired when developing an Expert Advisor. We look at how this can be systemized by using all the 3 main training modes of Machine Learning. Wizard Assembled Expert Advisors allow us to evaluate the patterns presented by these two indicators, and we start by looking at how Supervised-Learning can be applied with these Patterns.
Building A Candlestick Trend Constraint Model (Part 9): Multiple Strategies Expert Advisor (II)
The number of strategies that can be integrated into an Expert Advisor is virtually limitless. However, each additional strategy increases the complexity of the algorithm. By incorporating multiple strategies, an Expert Advisor can better adapt to varying market conditions, potentially enhancing its profitability. Today, we will explore how to implement MQL5 for one of the prominent strategies developed by Richard Donchian, as we continue to enhance the functionality of our Trend Constraint Expert.
Combinatorially Symmetric Cross Validation In MQL5
In this article we present the implementation of Combinatorially Symmetric Cross Validation in pure MQL5, to measure the degree to which a overfitting may occure after optimizing a strategy using the slow complete algorithm of the Strategy Tester.
From Matrices to Models: How to Build an ML Pipeline in MQL5 and Export It to ONNX
The article describes the arrangement of a coordinated ML pipeline in MetaTrader 5 with separation of roles: Python trains and exports the model to ONNX, MQL5 reproduces normalization and PCA via matrix/vector and performs inference. This approach makes the model's inputs stable and verifiable, and the MetaTrader 5 strategy tester provides metrics for analyzing the system behavior.
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part III)
In this article the author continues to analyze implementation algorithms of simplest trading systems and introduces backtesting automation. The article will be useful for beginning traders and EA writers.
Exploring Machine Learning in Unidirectional Trend Trading Using Gold as a Case Study
This article discusses an approach to trading only in the chosen direction (buy or sell). For this purpose, the technique of causal inference and machine learning are used.
Developing a Replay System (Part 59): A New Future
Having a proper understanding of different ideas allows us to do more with less effort. In this article, we'll look at why it's necessary to configure a template before the service can interact with the chart. Also, what if we improve the mouse pointer so we can do more things with it?
Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 34): Turning Raw Market Data into Predictive Models Using an Advanced Ingestion Pipeline
Have you ever missed a sudden market spike or been caught off‑guard when one occurred? The best way to anticipate live events is to learn from historical patterns. Intending to train an ML model, this article begins by showing you how to create a script in MetaTrader 5 that ingests historical data and sends it to Python for storage—laying the foundation for your spike‑detection system. Read on to see each step in action.
From Simple Close Buttons to a Rule-Based Risk Dashboard in MQL5
Build a rule-based on-chart risk management panel in MetaTrader 5 using the MQL5 Standard Library. The guide covers a CAppDialog-based GUI, manual event routing, and an automated update loop. You will bind UI events to CTrade to execute conditional closures, show net floating P/L, and read automated targets directly from the chart.
Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 21): Preparing for an important experiment and optimizing the code
For further progress it would be good to see if we can improve the results by periodically re-running the automatic optimization and generating a new EA. The stumbling block in many debates about the use of parameter optimization is the question of how long the obtained parameters can be used for trading in the future period while maintaining the profitability and drawdown at the specified levels. And is it even possible to do this?
Neural networks made easy (Part 39): Go-Explore, a different approach to exploration
We continue studying the environment in reinforcement learning models. And in this article we will look at another algorithm – Go-Explore, which allows you to effectively explore the environment at the model training stage.
MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 15): Canvas Blur Effects, Shadow Rendering, and Smooth Mouse Wheel Scrolling
In this article, we enhance the MQL5 canvas dashboard with advanced visual effects, including blur gradients for fog overlays, shadow rendering for headers, and antialiased drawing for smoother lines and curves. We add smooth mouse wheel scrolling to the text panel that does not interfere with the chart zoom scale, technically an upgrade.
MetaTrader 5: Build a Market to Suit Your Strategy — Renko/Range/Volume, Synthetics, and Stress Tests on Custom Symbols
In this article, we demonstrate how to use API of the MetaTrader 5 custom symbols to transform your terminal into a data constructor for generating timeless Renko, Range, and Equal-Volume charts and assembling synthetic instruments. We will analyze tick aggregation and history modification for stress tests (spread widening, stop level changes) taking into account platform limitations. Besides, you will get some practice of handling CiCustomSymbol and routing orders to a real symbol through the CustomOrder wrapper with ready-made code fragments.
Indicator of historical positions on the chart as their profit/loss diagram
In this article, I will consider the option of obtaining information about closed positions based on their trading history. Besides, I will create a simple indicator that displays the approximate profit/loss of positions on each bar as a diagram.
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.
Algorithmic Arbitrage Trading Using Graph Theory
In this article, triangular arbitrage is presented as a problem of finding cycles in a directed graph, where the vertices are currencies and the edges are currency pairs with weight rates. Profitable cycle: product of weights >1. Our Floyd-Warshall and DFS algorithms find optimal currency exchange paths that return to the starting point with a profit.
Neural Networks Made Easy (Part 92): Adaptive Forecasting in Frequency and Time Domains
The authors of the FreDF method experimentally confirmed the advantage of combined forecasting in the frequency and time domains. However, the use of the weight hyperparameter is not optimal for non-stationary time series. In this article, we will get acquainted with the method of adaptive combination of forecasts in frequency and time domains.
MetaTrader tick info access from MQL5 services to Python application using sockets
Sometimes everything is not programmable in the MQL5 language. And even if it is possible to convert existing advanced libraries in MQL5, it would be time-consuming. This article tries to show that we can bypass Windows OS dependency by transporting tick information such as bid, ask and time with MetaTrader services to a Python application using sockets.