The Kalman Filter for Forex Mean-Reversion Strategies
The Kalman filter is a recursive algorithm used in algorithmic trading to estimate the true state of a financial time series by filtering out noise from price movements. It dynamically updates predictions based on new market data, making it valuable for adaptive strategies like mean reversion. This article first introduces the Kalman filter, covering its calculation and implementation. Next, we apply the filter to a classic mean-reversion forex strategy as an example. Finally, we conduct various statistical analyses by comparing the filter with a moving average across different forex pairs.
Fallacies, Part 1: Money Management is Secondary and Not Very Important
The first demonstration of testing results of a strategy based on 0.1 lot is becoming a standard de facto in the Forum. Having received "not so bad" from professionals, a beginner sees that "0.1" testing brings rather modest results and decides to introduce an aggressive money management thinking that positive mathematic expectation automatically provides positive results. Let's see what results can be achieved. Together with that we will try to construct several artificial balance graphs that are very instructive.
Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 26): Pin Bar, Engulfing Patterns and RSI Divergence (Multi-Pattern) Tool
Aligned with our goal of developing practical price-action tools, this article explores the creation of an EA that detects pin bar and engulfing patterns, using RSI divergence as a confirmation trigger before generating any trading signals.
Using Pseudo-Templates as Alternative to C++ Templates
The article describes a way of programming without using templates but keeping the style of programming iherenet to them. It tells about implementation of templates using custom methods and has a ready-made script attached for creating a code on the basis of specified templates.
MQL5 — You too can become a master of this language
This article will be a kind of interview with myself, in which I will tell you how I took my first steps in the MQL5 language. I will show you how you can become a great MQL5 programmer. I will explain the necessary bases for you to achieve this feat. The only prerequisite is a willingness to learn.
From Novice to Expert: Support and Resistance Strength Indicator (SRSI)
In this article, we will share insights on how to leverage MQL5 programming to pinpoint market levels—differentiating between weaker and strongest price levels. We will fully develop a working, Support and Resistance Strength Indicator (SRSI).
Timeseries in DoEasy library (part 46): Multi-period multi-symbol indicator buffers
In this article, I am going to improve the classes of indicator buffer objects to work in the multi-symbol mode. This will pave the way for creating multi-symbol multi-period indicators in custom programs. I will add the missing functionality to the calculated buffer objects allowing us to create multi-symbol multi-period standard indicators.
Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 39): Automating BOS and ChoCH Detection in MQL5
This article presents Fractal Reaction System, a compact MQL5 system that converts fractal pivots into actionable market-structure signals. Using closed-bar logic to avoid repainting, the EA detects Change-of-Character (ChoCH) warnings and confirms Breaks-of-Structure (BOS), draws persistent chart objects, and logs/alerts every confirmed event (desktop, mobile and sound). Read on for the algorithm design, implementation notes, testing results and the full EA code so you can compile, test and deploy the detector yourself.
Tracing, Debugging and Structural Analysis of Source Code
The entire complex of problems of creating a structure of an executed code and its tracing can be solved without serious difficulties. This possibility has appeared in MetaTrader 5 due to the new feature of the MQL5 language - automatic creation of variables of complex type of data (structures and classes) and their elimination when going out of local scope. The article contains the description of the methodology and the ready-made tool.
Trade transactions. Request and response structures, description and logging
The article considers handling trade request structures, namely creating a request, its preliminary verification before sending it to the server, the server's response to a trade request and the structure of trade transactions. We will create simple and convenient functions for sending trading orders to the server and, based on everything discussed, create an EA informing of trade transactions.
Interaction between MetaTrader 4 and Matlab via DDE
Step-by-step instructions of how to organize data transfer from Matlab to MetaTrader 4 using DDE.
Indicator for Spindles Charting
The article regards spindle chart plotting and its usage in trading strategies and experts. First let's discuss the chart's appearance, plotting and connection with japanese candlestick chart. Next we analyze the indicator's implementation in the source code in the MQL5 language. Let's test the expert based on indicator and formulate the trading strategy.
How to Write Fast Non-Redrawing ZigZags
A rather universal approach to writing indicators of the ZigZag type is proposed. The method includes a significant part of ZigZags already described and allows you to create new ones relatively easily.
Alert and Comment for External Indicators (Part Two)
Since I published the article "Alert and Comment for External Indicators", I have been receiving requests and questions regarding the possibility of developing an external informer operating based on indicator lines. Having analyzed the questions, I have decided to continue with the subject. Getting data stored in indicator buffers turned out to be another area of interest to users.
MetaEditor:Templates as a Spot to Stand On
It may be news to many our readers that all preparations for writing an EA can be performed once and then used continuously.
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.
Graphical Interfaces XI: Refactoring the Library code (build 14.1)
As the library grows, its code must be optimized again in order to reduce its size. The version of the library described in this article has become even more object-oriented. This made the code easier to learn. A detailed description of the latest changes will allow the readers to develop the library independently based on their own needs.
Graphics in DoEasy library (Part 81): Integrating graphics into library objects
It is time to start the integration of the already created objects into the previously created library objects. This will ultimately endow each library object with its own graphical object allowing users to interact with the program.
From Novice to Expert: Developing a Liquidity Strategy
Liquidity zones are commonly traded by waiting for the price to return and retest the zone of interest, often through the placement of pending orders within these areas. In this article, we leverage MQL5 to bring this concept to life, demonstrating how such zones can be identified programmatically and how risk management can be systematically applied. Join the discussion as we explore both the logic behind liquidity-based trading and its practical implementation.
Graphical Interfaces VIII: The Tree View Control (Chapter 2)
The previous chapter of part VIII on graphical interfaces has focused on the elements of static and drop-down calendar. The second chapter will be dedicated to an equally complex element — a tree view, that is included in every complete library used for creating graphical interfaces. A tree view implemented in this article contains multiple flexible settings and modes, thus allowing to adjust this element of control to your needs.
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 VI): Netting account events
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 fifth part of the article series, we created trading event classes and the event collection, from which the events are sent to the base object of the Engine library and the control program chart. In this part, we will let the library to work on netting accounts.
Complex indicators made easy using objects
This article provides a method to create complex indicators while also avoiding the problems that arise when dealing with multiple plots, buffers and/or combining data from multiple sources.
Timeseries in DoEasy library (part 45): Multi-period indicator buffers
In this article, I will start the improvement of the indicator buffer objects and collection class for working in multi-period and multi-symbol modes. I am going to consider the operation of buffer objects for receiving and displaying data from any timeframe on the current symbol chart.
Building a Spectrum Analyzer
This article is intended to get its readers acquainted with a possible variant of using graphical objects of the MQL5 language. It analyses an indicator, which implements a panel of managing a simple spectrum analyzer using the graphical objects. The article is meant for readers acquianted with basics of MQL5.
Graphics in DoEasy library (Part 89): Programming standard graphical objects. Basic functionality
Currently, the library is able to track standard graphical objects on the client terminal chart, including their removal and modification of some of their parameters. At the moment, it lacks the ability to create standard graphical objects from custom programs.
MetaTrader 4 Working under Antiviruses and Firewalls
The most of traders use special programs to protect their PCs. Unfortunately, these programs don't only protect computers against intrusions, viruses and Trojans, but also consume a significant amount of resources. This relates to network traffic, first of all, which is wholly controlled by various intelligent antiviruses and firewalls.
The reason for writing this article was that traders complained of slowed MetaTrader 4 Client Terminal when working with Outpost Firewall. We decided to make our own research using Kaspersky Antivirus 6.0 and Outpost Firewall Pro 4.0.
Statistical Estimations
Estimation of statistical parameters of a sequence is very important, since most of mathematical models and methods are based on different assumptions. For example, normality of distribution law or dispersion value, or other parameters. Thus, when analyzing and forecasting of time series we need a simple and convenient tool that allows quickly and clearly estimating the main statistical parameters. The article shortly describes the simplest statistical parameters of a random sequence and several methods of its visual analysis. It offers the implementation of these methods in MQL5 and the methods of visualization of the result of calculations using the Gnuplot application.
EA Status SMS Notifications
Developing a system of SMS notifications that informs you of the status of your EA so that you are always aware of any critical situation, wherever you may be.
Transferring an Indicator Code into an Expert Advisor Code. Conclusion
This is the final article, devoted to transferring an indicator code into an Expert Advisor code. Here the author transforms on a certain example a code of an Expert Advisor so, that this EA is presented in a single file without calling custom indicators.
Monte Carlo Permutation Tests in MetaTrader 5
In this article we take a look at how we can conduct permutation tests based on shuffled tick data on any expert advisor using only Metatrader 5.
LibMatrix: Library of Matrix Algebra (Part One)
The author familiarizes the readers with a simple library of matrix algebra and provides descriptions and peculiarities of the main functions.
Automated Parameter Optimization for Trading Strategies Using Python and MQL5
There are several types of algorithms for self-optimization of trading strategies and parameters. These algorithms are used to automatically improve trading strategies based on historical and current market data. In this article we will look at one of them with python and MQL5 examples.
DIY technical indicator
In this article, I will consider the algorithms allowing you to create your own technical indicator. You will learn how to obtain pretty complex and interesting results with very simple initial assumptions.
Graphics in DoEasy library (Part 94): Moving and deleting composite graphical objects
In this article, I will start the development of various composite graphical object events. We will also partially consider moving and deleting a composite graphical object. In fact, here I am going to fine-tune the things I implemented in the previous article.
MQL5 Cookbook — Services
The article describes the versatile capabilities of services — MQL5 programs that do not require binding graphs. I will also highlight the differences of services from other MQL5 programs and emphasize the nuances of the developer's work with services. As examples, the reader is offered various tasks covering a wide range of functionality that can be implemented as a service.
Growing Neural Gas: Implementation in MQL5
The article shows an example of how to develop an MQL5-program implementing the adaptive algorithm of clustering called Growing neural gas (GNG). The article is intended for the users who have studied the language documentation and have certain programming skills and basic knowledge in the area of neuroinformatics.
From Novice to Expert: Trading the RSI with Market Structure Awareness
In this article, we will explore practical techniques for trading the Relative Strength Index (RSI) oscillator with market structure. Our focus will be on channel price action patterns, how they are typically traded, and how MQL5 can be leveraged to enhance this process. By the end, you will have a rule-based, automated channel-trading system designed to capture trend continuation opportunities with greater precision and consistency.
Engineering Trading Discipline into Code (Part 2): Building a Daily Trade Limit Enforcer for All Trades in MQL5
We have developed a system that enforces a daily trade limit to keep you aligned with your trading rules. It monitors all executed trades across the account and automatically intervenes once the defined limit is reached, preventing any further activity. By embedding control directly into the platform, the system ensures discipline is maintained even when market pressure rises.
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.