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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Neural networks made easy (Part 34): Fully Parameterized Quantile Function

Neural networks made easy (Part 34): Fully Parameterized Quantile Function

We continue studying distributed Q-learning algorithms. In previous articles, we have considered distributed and quantile Q-learning algorithms. In the first algorithm, we trained the probabilities of given ranges of values. In the second algorithm, we trained ranges with a given probability. In both of them, we used a priori knowledge of one distribution and trained another one. In this article, we will consider an algorithm which allows the model to train for both distributions.
Automated Choice of Brokerage Company for an Efficient Operation of Expert Advisors
Automated Choice of Brokerage Company for an Efficient Operation of Expert Advisors

Automated Choice of Brokerage Company for an Efficient Operation of Expert Advisors

It is not a secret that for an efficient operation of Expert Advisors we need to find a suitable brokerage company. This article describes a system approach to this search. You will get acquainted with the process of creating a program with dll for working with different terminals.
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Price movement discretization methods in Python

Price movement discretization methods in Python

We will look at price discretization methods using Python + MQL5. In this article, I will share my practical experience developing a Python library that implements a wide range of approaches to bar formation — from classic Volume and Range bars to more exotic methods like Renko and Kagi. We will consider three-line breakout candles and range bars analyzing their statistics and trying to define how else the prices can be represented discretely.
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Data label for time series mining (Part 6):Apply and Test in EA Using ONNX

Data label for time series mining (Part 6):Apply and Test in EA Using ONNX

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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Trading with the MQL5 Economic Calendar (Part 7): Preparing for Strategy Testing with Resource-Based News Event Analysis

Trading with the MQL5 Economic Calendar (Part 7): Preparing for Strategy Testing with Resource-Based News Event Analysis

In this article, we prepare our MQL5 trading system for strategy testing by embedding economic calendar data as a resource for non-live analysis. We implement event loading and filtering for time, currency, and impact, then validate it in the Strategy Tester. This enables effective backtesting of news-driven strategies.
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Atomic Orbital Search (AOS) algorithm: Modification

Atomic Orbital Search (AOS) algorithm: Modification

In the second part of the article, we will continue developing a modified version of the AOS (Atomic Orbital Search) algorithm focusing on specific operators to improve its efficiency and adaptability. After analyzing the fundamentals and mechanics of the algorithm, we will discuss ideas for improving its performance and the ability to analyze complex solution spaces, proposing new approaches to extend its functionality as an optimization tool.
Interview with Andrea Zani (ATC 2011)
Interview with Andrea Zani (ATC 2011)

Interview with Andrea Zani (ATC 2011)

On the eleventh week of the Automated Trading Championship, Andrea Zani (sbraer) got featured very close to the top five of the competition. It is on the sixth place with about 47,000 USD now. Andrea's Expert Advisor AZXY has made only one losing deal, which was at the very beginning of the Championship. Since then, its equity curve has been steadily growing.
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 59): Using Geometric Asymmetry to Identify Precision Breakouts from Fractal Consolidation

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 59): Using Geometric Asymmetry to Identify Precision Breakouts from Fractal Consolidation

While studying a wide range of breakout setups, I noticed that failed breakouts were rarely caused by a lack of volatility, but more often by weak internal structure. That observation led to the framework presented in this article. The approach identifies patterns where the final price leg shows superior length, steepness, and speed—clear signs of momentum accumulation ahead of directional expansion. By detecting these subtle geometric imbalances within consolidation, traders can anticipate higher-probability breakouts before price exits the range. Continue reading to see how this fractal-based, geometric framework translates structural imbalance into precise breakout signals.
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From Simple Close Buttons to a Rule-Based Risk Dashboard in MQL5

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.
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Population optimization algorithms: Bat algorithm (BA)

Population optimization algorithms: Bat algorithm (BA)

In this article, I will consider the Bat Algorithm (BA), which shows good convergence on smooth functions.
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Black Hole Algorithm (BHA)

Black Hole Algorithm (BHA)

The Black Hole Algorithm (BHA) uses the principles of black hole gravity to optimize solutions. In this article, we will look at how BHA attracts the best solutions while avoiding local extremes, and why this algorithm has become a powerful tool for solving complex problems. Learn how simple ideas can lead to impressive results in the world of optimization.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 80): Graph Transformer Generative Adversarial Model (GTGAN)

Neural networks made easy (Part 80): Graph Transformer Generative Adversarial Model (GTGAN)

In this article, I will get acquainted with the GTGAN algorithm, which was introduced in January 2024 to solve complex problems of generation architectural layouts with graph constraints.
Interview with Alexander Topchylo (ATC 2010)
Interview with Alexander Topchylo (ATC 2010)

Interview with Alexander Topchylo (ATC 2010)

Alexander Topchylo (Better) is the winner of the Automated Trading Championship 2007. Alexander is an expert in neural networks - his Expert Advisor based on a neural network was on top of best EAs of year 2007. In this interview Alexander tells us about his life after the Championships, his own business and new algorithms for trading systems.
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Integrating AI into 3 Smart Money Concepts (SMC): OB, BOS, and FVG

Integrating AI into 3 Smart Money Concepts (SMC): OB, BOS, and FVG

This guide integrates a trained XGBoost model (ONNX) into an SMC EA to evaluate trade setups before execution. The Python pipeline labels historical XAUUSD events and produces a 12-feature representation aligned with the EA. The result is a reproducible method to train, export, and embed the model so the EA can filter OB, FVG, and BOS signals programmatically.
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From Matrices to Models: How to Build an ML Pipeline in MQL5 and Export It to ONNX

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.
Filtering by History
Filtering by History

Filtering by History

The article describes the usage of virtual trading as an integral part of trade opening filter.
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From Matrices to Models: How to Build an ML Pipeline in MQL5 and Export It to ONNX

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

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

In this article, we will look at the binary genetic algorithm (BGA), which models the natural processes that occur in the genetic material of living things in nature.
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Exploring Machine Learning in Unidirectional Trend Trading Using Gold as a Case Study

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.
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Developing an MQTT client for MetaTrader 5: a TDD approach — Part 3

Developing an MQTT client for MetaTrader 5: a TDD approach — Part 3

This article is the third part of a series describing our development steps of a native MQL5 client for the MQTT protocol. In this part, we describe in detail how we are using Test-Driven Development to implement the Operational Behavior part of the CONNECT/CONNACK packet exchange. At the end of this step, our client MUST be able to behave appropriately when dealing with any of the possible server outcomes from a connection attempt.
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Neural Networks in Trading: Practical Results of the TEMPO Method

Neural Networks in Trading: Practical Results of the TEMPO Method

We continue our acquaintance with the TEMPO method. In this article we will evaluate the actual effectiveness of the proposed approaches on real historical data.
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Angular Analysis of Price Movements: A Hybrid Model for Predicting Financial Markets

Angular Analysis of Price Movements: A Hybrid Model for Predicting Financial Markets

What is angular analysis of financial markets? How to use price action angles and machine learning to make accurate forecasts with 67% accuracy? How to combine a regression and classification model with angular features and obtain a working algorithm? What does Gann have to do with it? Why are price movement angles a good indicator for machine learning?
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Trading with the MQL5 Economic Calendar (Part 5): Enhancing the Dashboard with Responsive Controls and Filter Buttons

Trading with the MQL5 Economic Calendar (Part 5): Enhancing the Dashboard with Responsive Controls and Filter Buttons

In this article, we create buttons for currency pair filters, importance levels, time filters, and a cancel option to improve dashboard control. These buttons are programmed to respond dynamically to user actions, allowing seamless interaction. We also automate their behavior to reflect real-time changes on the dashboard. This enhances the overall functionality, mobility, and responsiveness of the panel.
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Data Science and ML (Part 32): Keeping your AI models updated, Online Learning

Data Science and ML (Part 32): Keeping your AI models updated, Online Learning

In the ever-changing world of trading, adapting to market shifts is not just a choice—it's a necessity. New patterns and trends emerge everyday, making it harder even the most advanced machine learning models to stay effective in the face of evolving conditions. In this article, we’ll explore how to keep your models relevant and responsive to new market data by automatically retraining.
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Integrating Computer Vision into Trading in MQL5 (Part 1): Creating Basic Functions

Integrating Computer Vision into Trading in MQL5 (Part 1): Creating Basic Functions

The EURUSD forecasting system with the use of computer vision and deep learning. Learn how convolutional neural networks can recognize complex price patterns in the foreign exchange market and predict exchange rate movements with up to 54% accuracy. The article shares the methodology for creating an algorithm that uses artificial intelligence technologies for visual analysis of charts instead of traditional technical indicators. The author demonstrates the process of transforming price data into "images", their processing by a neural network, and a unique opportunity to peer into the "consciousness" of AI through activation maps and attention heatmaps. Practical Python code using the MetaTrader 5 library allows readers to reproduce the system and apply it in their own trading.
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Building A Candlestick Trend Constraint Model (Part 9): Multiple Strategies Expert Advisor (II)

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.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 64): Using Patterns of DeMarker and Envelope Channels with the White-Noise Kernel

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 64): Using Patterns of DeMarker and Envelope Channels with the White-Noise Kernel

The DeMarker Oscillator and the Envelopes' indicator are momentum and support/ resistance tools that can be paired when developing an Expert Advisor. We continue from our last article that introduced these pair of indicators by adding machine learning to the mix. We are using a recurrent neural network that uses the white-noise kernel to process vectorized signals from these two indicators. This is done in a custom signal class file that works with the MQL5 wizard to assemble an Expert Advisor.
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Neural Networks in Trading: Memory Augmented Context-Aware Learning (MacroHFT) for Cryptocurrency Markets

Neural Networks in Trading: Memory Augmented Context-Aware Learning (MacroHFT) for Cryptocurrency Markets

I invite you to explore the MacroHFT framework, which applies context-aware reinforcement learning and memory to improve high-frequency cryptocurrency trading decisions using macroeconomic data and adaptive agents.
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From Basic to Intermediate: Array (I)

From Basic to Intermediate: Array (I)

This article is a transition between what has been discussed so far and a new stage of research. To understand this article, you need to read the previous ones. The content presented here is intended solely for educational purposes. Under no circumstances should the application be viewed for any purpose other than to learn and master the concepts presented.
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Time series clustering in causal inference

Time series clustering in causal inference

Clustering algorithms in machine learning are important unsupervised learning algorithms that can divide the original data into groups with similar observations. By using these groups, you can analyze the market for a specific cluster, search for the most stable clusters using new data, and make causal inferences. The article proposes an original method for time series clustering in Python.
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From "Best Pass" to Robust Solutions: Exploring the Optimization Surface in MetaTrader 5

From "Best Pass" to Robust Solutions: Exploring the Optimization Surface in MetaTrader 5

The article examines an engineering approach to optimizing an Expert Advisor in MetaTrader 5: from collecting custom metrics through Optimization Frames to parameter surface analysis. A simple event-driven EMA/RSI model demonstrates CSV export, smoothing, and local stability assessment in Python. The goal is to find stable areas of configurations and validate them with forward optimization for reliable implementation.
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Moving to MQL5 Algo Forge (Part 3): Using External Repositories in Your Own Projects

Moving to MQL5 Algo Forge (Part 3): Using External Repositories in Your Own Projects

Let's explore how you can start integrating external code from any repository in the MQL5 Algo Forge storage into your own project. In this article, we finally turn to this promising, yet more complex, task: how to practically connect and use libraries from third-party repositories within MQL5 Algo Forge.
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DoEasy. Service functions (Part 1): Price patterns

DoEasy. Service functions (Part 1): Price patterns

In this article, we will start developing methods for searching for price patterns using timeseries data. A pattern has a certain set of parameters, common to any type of patterns. All data of this kind will be concentrated in the object class of the base abstract pattern. In the current article, we will create an abstract pattern class and a Pin Bar pattern class.
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Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 17): Ticks and more ticks (I)

Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 17): Ticks and more ticks (I)

Here we will see how to implement something really interesting, but at the same time very difficult due to certain points that can be very confusing. The worst thing that can happen is that some traders who consider themselves professionals do not know anything about the importance of these concepts in the capital market. Well, although we focus here on programming, understanding some of the issues involved in market trading is paramount to what we are going to implement.
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Data Science and ML (Part 38): AI Transfer Learning in Forex Markets

Data Science and ML (Part 38): AI Transfer Learning in Forex Markets

The AI breakthroughs dominating headlines, from ChatGPT to self-driving cars, aren’t built from isolated models but through cumulative knowledge transferred from various models or common fields. Now, this same "learn once, apply everywhere" approach can be applied to help us transform our AI models in algorithmic trading. In this article, we are going to learn how we can leverage the information gained across various instruments to help in improving predictions on others using transfer learning.
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Chaos theory in trading (Part 2): Diving deeper

Chaos theory in trading (Part 2): Diving deeper

We continue our dive into chaos theory in financial markets. This time I will consider its applicability to the analysis of currencies and other assets.
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 22): Correlation Dashboard

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 22): Correlation Dashboard

This tool is a Correlation Dashboard that calculates and displays real-time correlation coefficients across multiple currency pairs. By visualizing how pairs move in relation to one another, it adds valuable context to your price-action analysis and helps you anticipate inter-market dynamics. Read on to explore its features and applications.
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Creating a Trading Administrator Panel in MQL5 (Part V): Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Creating a Trading Administrator Panel in MQL5 (Part V): Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Today, we will discuss enhancing security for the Trading Administrator Panel currently under development. We will explore how to implement MQL5 in a new security strategy, integrating the Telegram API for two-factor authentication (2FA). This discussion will provide valuable insights into the application of MQL5 in reinforcing security measures. Additionally, we will examine the MathRand function, focusing on its functionality and how it can be effectively utilized within our security framework. Continue reading to discover more!
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A New Approach to Custom Criteria in Optimizations (Part 1): Examples of Activation Functions

A New Approach to Custom Criteria in Optimizations (Part 1): Examples of Activation Functions

The first of a series of articles looking at the mathematics of Custom Criteria with a specific focus on non-linear functions used in Neural Networks, MQL5 code for implementation and the use of targeted and correctional offsets.
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Brain Storm Optimization algorithm (Part II): Multimodality

Brain Storm Optimization algorithm (Part II): Multimodality

In the second part of the article, we will move on to the practical implementation of the BSO algorithm, conduct tests on test functions and compare the efficiency of BSO with other optimization methods.