Articles with MQL5 programming examples

icon

Access a huge collection of articles with code examples showing how to create indicators and trading robots for the MetaTrader platform in the MQL5 language. Source codes are attached to the articles, so you can open them in MetaEditor and run them to see how the applications work.

These articles will be useful both for those who have just started exploring automated trading and for professional traders with programming experience. They feature not only examples, but also contain new ideas.

Add a new article
latest | best
Speed Up Calculations with the MQL5 Cloud Network
Speed Up Calculations with the MQL5 Cloud Network

Speed Up Calculations with the MQL5 Cloud Network

How many cores do you have on your home computer? How many computers can you use to optimize a trading strategy? We show here how to use the MQL5 Cloud Network to accelerate calculations by receiving the computing power across the globe with the click of a mouse. The phrase "Time is money" becomes even more topical with each passing year, and we cannot afford to wait for important computations for tens of hours or even days.
Create Your Own Graphical Panels in MQL5
Create Your Own Graphical Panels in MQL5

Create Your Own Graphical Panels in MQL5

The MQL5 program usability is determined by both its rich functionality and an elaborate graphical user interface. Visual perception is sometimes more important than fast and stable operation. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating display panels on the basis of the Standard Library classes on your own.
Creating Expert Advisors Using Expert Advisor Visual Wizard
Creating Expert Advisors Using Expert Advisor Visual Wizard

Creating Expert Advisors Using Expert Advisor Visual Wizard

Expert Advisor Visual Wizard for MetaTrader 5 provides a highly intuitive graphical environment with a comprehensive set of predefined trading blocks that let you design Expert Advisors in minutes. The click, drag and drop approach of Expert Advisor Visual Wizard allows you to create visual representations of forex trading strategies and signals as you would with pencil and paper. These trading diagrams are analyzed automatically by Molanis’ MQL5 code generator that transforms them into ready to use Expert Advisors. The interactive graphical environment simplifies the design process and eliminates the need to write MQL5 code.
Custom Graphical Controls. Part 3. Forms
Custom Graphical Controls. Part 3. Forms

Custom Graphical Controls. Part 3. Forms

This is the last of the three articles devoted to graphical controls. It covers the creation of the main graphical interface component - the form - and its use in combination with other controls. In addition to the form classes, CFrame, CButton, CLabel classes have been added to the control library.
Object-Oriented Approach to Building Multi-Timeframe and Multi-Currency Panels
Object-Oriented Approach to Building Multi-Timeframe and Multi-Currency Panels

Object-Oriented Approach to Building Multi-Timeframe and Multi-Currency Panels

This article describes how object-oriented programming can be used for creating multi-timeframe and multi-currency panels for MetaTrader 5. The main goal is to build a universal panel, which can be used for displaying many different kinds of data, such as prices, price changes, indicator values or custom buy/sell conditions without the need to modify the code of the panel itself.
Custom Graphical Controls. Part 2. Control Library
Custom Graphical Controls. Part 2. Control Library

Custom Graphical Controls. Part 2. Control Library

The second article of the "Custom Graphical Controls" series introduces a control library for handling the main problems arising in interaction between a program (Expert Advisor, script, indicator) and a user. The library contains a great number of classes (CInputBox, CSpinInputBox, CCheckBox, CRadioGroup, CVSсrollBar, CHSсrollBar, CList, CListMS, CComBox, CHMenu, CVMenu, CHProgress, CDialer, CDialerInputBox, CTable) and examples of their use.
The Basics of Object-Oriented Programming
The Basics of Object-Oriented Programming

The Basics of Object-Oriented Programming

You don't need to know what are polymorphism, encapsulation, etc. all about in to use object-oriented programming (OOP)... you may simply use these features. This article covers the basics of OOP with hands-on examples.
Statistical Probability Distributions in MQL5
Statistical Probability Distributions in MQL5

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.
Using MetaTrader 5 as a Signal Provider for MetaTrader 4
Using MetaTrader 5 as a Signal Provider for MetaTrader 4

Using MetaTrader 5 as a Signal Provider for MetaTrader 4

Analyse and examples of techniques how trading analysis can be performed on MetaTrader 5 platform, but executed by MetaTrader 4. Article will show you how to create simple signal provider in your MetaTrader 5, and connect to it with multiple clients, even running MetaTrader 4. Also you will find out how you can follow participants of Automated Trading Championship in your real MetaTrader 4 account.
Custom Graphical Controls. Part 1: Creating a Simple Control
Custom Graphical Controls. Part 1: Creating a Simple Control

Custom Graphical Controls. Part 1: Creating a Simple Control

This article covers general principles of development of graphical controls. We are going to prepare tools for a quick and convenient work with graphical objects, analyze an example of creation of a simple control for entering text or numeric data as well as the ways of using it.
Enhancing the Quality of the Code with the Help of Unit Test
Enhancing the Quality of the Code with the Help of Unit Test

Enhancing the Quality of the Code with the Help of Unit Test

Even simple programs may often have errors that seem to be unbelievable. "How could I create that?" is our first thought when such an error is revealed. "How can I avoid that?" is the second question which comes to our mind less frequently. It is impossible to create absolutely faultless code, especially in big projects, but it is possible to use technologies for their timely detection. The article describes how the MQL4 code quality can be enhanced with the help of the popular Unit Testing method.
How to Add New UI Languages to the MetaTrader 5 Platform
How to Add New UI Languages to the MetaTrader 5 Platform

How to Add New UI Languages to the MetaTrader 5 Platform

User interface of the MetaTrader 5 platform is translated into several languages. Don't worry if your native language is not among the supported ones. You can easily complete the translation using the special MetaTrader 5 MultiLanguage Pack utility, offered by MetaQuotes Software Corp. for free to all comers. In this article we will show some examples of how to add a new user interface languages to the MetaTrader 5 platform.
Payments and payment methods
Payments and payment methods

Payments and payment methods

MQL5.community Services offer great opportunities for traders as well as for the developers of applications for the MetaTrader terminal. In this article, we explain how payments for MQL5 services are performed, how the earned money can be withdraw, and how the operation security is ensured.
Using WinInet in MQL5.  Part 2:  POST Requests and Files
Using WinInet in MQL5.  Part 2:  POST Requests and Files

Using WinInet in MQL5. Part 2: POST Requests and Files

In this article, we continue studying the principles of working with Internet using HTTP requests and exchange of information with server. It describes new functions of the CMqlNet class, methods of sending information from forms and sending of files using POST requests as well as authorization on websites under your login using Cookies.
Advanced Adaptive Indicators Theory and Implementation in MQL5
Advanced Adaptive Indicators Theory and Implementation in MQL5

Advanced Adaptive Indicators Theory and Implementation in MQL5

This article will describe advanced adaptive indicators and their implementation in MQL5: Adaptive Cyber Cycle, Adaptive Center of Gravity and Adaptive RVI. All indicators were originally presented in "Cybernetic Analysis for Stocks and Futures" by John F. Ehlers.
MQL5 Wizard for Dummies
MQL5 Wizard for Dummies

MQL5 Wizard for Dummies

In early 2011 we released the first version of the MQL5 Wizard. This new application provides a simple and convenient tool to automatically generate trading robots. Any MetaTrader 5 user can create a custom Expert Advisor without even knowing how to program in MQL5.
Statistical Estimations
Statistical Estimations

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.
Using MetaTrader 5 Indicators with ENCOG Machine Learning Framework for Timeseries Prediction
Using MetaTrader 5 Indicators with ENCOG Machine Learning Framework for Timeseries Prediction

Using MetaTrader 5 Indicators with ENCOG Machine Learning Framework for Timeseries Prediction

This article presents connecting MetaTrader 5 to ENCOG - Advanced Neural Network and Machine Learning Framework. It contains description and implementation of a simple neural network indicator based on a standard technical indicators and an Expert Advisor based on a neural indicator. All source code, compiled binaries, DLLs and an exemplary trained network are attached to the article.
Tracing, Debugging and Structural Analysis of Source Code
Tracing, Debugging and Structural Analysis of Source Code

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.
The Implementation of Automatic Analysis of the Elliott Waves in MQL5
The Implementation of Automatic Analysis of the Elliott Waves in MQL5

The Implementation of Automatic Analysis of the Elliott Waves in MQL5

One of the most popular methods of market analysis is the Elliott Wave Principle. However, this process is quite complicated, which leads us to the use of additional tools. One of such instruments is the automatic marker. This article describes the creation of an automatic analyzer of Elliott Waves in MQL5 language.
Electronic Tables in MQL5
Electronic Tables in MQL5

Electronic Tables in MQL5

The article describes a class of dynamic two-dimensional array that contains data of different types in its first dimension. Storing data in the form of a table is convenient for solving a wide range of problems of arrangement, storing and operation with bound information of different types. The source code of the class that implements the functionality of working with tables is attached to the article.
Using Pseudo-Templates as Alternative to C++ Templates
Using Pseudo-Templates as Alternative to C++ Templates

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.
preview
Use of Resources in MQL5

Use of Resources in MQL5

MQL5 programs not only automate routine calculations, but also can create a full-featured graphical environment. The functions for creating truly interactive controls are now virtually the same rich, as those in classical programming languages. If you want to write a full-fledged stand-alone program in MQL5, use resources in them. Programs with resources are easier to maintain and distribute.
Parallel Calculations in MetaTrader 5
Parallel Calculations in MetaTrader 5

Parallel Calculations in MetaTrader 5

Time has been a great value throughout the history of mankind, and we strive not to waste it unnecessarily. This article will tell you how to accelerate the work of your Expert Advisor if your computer has a multi-core processor. Moreover, the implementation of the proposed method does not require the knowledge of any other languages besides MQL5.
Building a Spectrum Analyzer
Building a Spectrum Analyzer

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.
Finding Errors and Logging
Finding Errors and Logging

Finding Errors and Logging

MetaEditor 5 has the debugging feature. But when you write your MQL5 programs, you often want to display not the individual values, but all messages that appear during testing and online work. When the log file contents have large size, it is obvious to automate quick and easy retrieval of required message. In this article we will consider ways of finding errors in MQL5 programs and methods of logging. Also we will simplify logging into files and will get to know a simple program LogMon for comfortable viewing of logs.
The Implementation of a Multi-currency Mode in MetaTrader 5
The Implementation of a Multi-currency Mode in MetaTrader 5

The Implementation of a Multi-currency Mode in MetaTrader 5

For a long time multi-currency analysis and multi-currency trading has been of interest to people. The opportunity to implement a full fledged multi-currency regime became possible only with the public release of MetaTrader 5 and the MQL5 programming language. In this article we propose a way to analyze and process all incoming ticks for several symbols. As an illustration, let's consider a multi-currency RSI indicator of the USDx dollar index.
Charts and diagrams in HTML
Charts and diagrams in HTML

Charts and diagrams in HTML

Today it is difficult to find a computer that does not have an installed web-browser. For a long time browsers have been evolving and improving. This article discusses the simple and safe way to create of charts and diagrams, based on the the information, obtained from MetaTrader 5 client terminal for displaying them in the browser.
Moving Mini-Max: a New Indicator for Technical Analysis and Its Implementation in MQL5
Moving Mini-Max: a New Indicator for Technical Analysis and Its Implementation in MQL5

Moving Mini-Max: a New Indicator for Technical Analysis and Its Implementation in MQL5

In the following article I am describing a process of implementing Moving Mini-Max indicator based on a paper by Z.G.Silagadze 'Moving Mini-max: a new indicator for technical analysis'. The idea of the indicator is based on simulation of quantum tunneling phenomena, proposed by G. Gamov in the theory of alpha decay.
Create your own Market Watch using the Standard Library Classes
Create your own Market Watch using the Standard Library Classes

Create your own Market Watch using the Standard Library Classes

The new MetaTrader 5 client terminal and the MQL5 Language provides new opportunities for presenting visual information to the trader. In this article, we propose a universal and extensible set of classes, which handles all the work of organizing displaying of the arbitrary text information on the chart. The example of Market Watch indicator is presented.
Creating an Indicator with Multiple Indicator Buffers for Newbies
Creating an Indicator with Multiple Indicator Buffers for Newbies

Creating an Indicator with Multiple Indicator Buffers for Newbies

The complex codes consist of a set of simple codes. If you are familiar with them, it doesn't look so complicated. In this article, we will consider how to create an indicator with multiple indicator buffers. As an example, the Aroon indicator is analyzed in details, and two different versions of the code are presented.
Building interactive semi-automatic drag-and-drop Expert Advisor based on predefined risk and R/R ratio
Building interactive semi-automatic drag-and-drop Expert Advisor based on predefined risk and R/R ratio

Building interactive semi-automatic drag-and-drop Expert Advisor based on predefined risk and R/R ratio

Some traders execute all their trades automatically, and some mix automatic and manual trades based on the output of several indicators. Being a member of the latter group I needed an interactive tool to asses dynamically risk and reward price levels directly from the chart. This article will present a way to implement an interactive semi-automatic Expert Advisor with predefined equity risk and R/R ratio. The Expert Advisor risk, R/R and lot size parameters can be changed during runtime on the EA panel.
Growing Neural Gas: Implementation in MQL5
Growing Neural Gas: Implementation in MQL5

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.
The "New Bar" Event Handler
The "New Bar" Event Handler

The "New Bar" Event Handler

MQL5 programming language is capable of solving problems on a brand new level. Even those tasks, that already have such solutions, thanks to object oriented programming can rise to a higher level. In this article we take a specially simple example of checking new bar on a chart, that was transformed into rather powerful and versatile tool. What tool? Find out in this article.
Protect Yourselves, Developers!
Protect Yourselves, Developers!

Protect Yourselves, Developers!

Protection of intellectual property is still a big problem. This article describes the basic principles of MQL4-programs protection. Using these principles you can ensure that results of your developments are not stolen by a thief, or at least to complicate his "work" so much that he will just refuse to do it.
How to Quickly Create an Expert Advisor for Automated Trading Championship 2010
How to Quickly Create an Expert Advisor for Automated Trading Championship 2010

How to Quickly Create an Expert Advisor for Automated Trading Championship 2010

In order to develop an expert to participate in Automated Trading Championship 2010, let's use a template of ready expert advisor. Even novice MQL5 programmer will be capable of this task, because for your strategies the basic classes, functions, templates are already developed. It's enough to write a minimal amount of code to implement your trading idea.
20 Trade Signals in MQL5
20 Trade Signals in MQL5

20 Trade Signals in MQL5

This article will teach you how to receive trade signals that are necessary for a trade system to work. The examples of forming 20 trade signals are given here as separate custom functions that can be used while developing Expert Advisors. For your convenience, all the functions used in the article are combined in a single mqh include file that can be easily connected to a future Expert Advisor.
The Prototype of a Trading Robot
The Prototype of a Trading Robot

The Prototype of a Trading Robot

This article summarizes and systematizes the principles of creating algorithms and elements of trading systems. The article considers designing of expert algorithm. As an example the CExpertAdvisor class is considered, which can be used for quick and easy development of trading systems.
MetaTrader 5 and MATLAB Interaction
MetaTrader 5 and MATLAB Interaction

MetaTrader 5 and MATLAB Interaction

This article covers the details of interaction between MetaTrader 5 and MatLab mathematical package. It shows the mechanism of data conversion, the process of developing a universal library to interact with MatLab desktop. It also covers the use of DLL generated by MatLab environment. This article is intended for experienced readers, who know C++ and MQL5.
Limitations and Verifications in Expert Advisors
Limitations and Verifications in Expert Advisors

Limitations and Verifications in Expert Advisors

Is it allowed to trade this symbol on Monday? Is there enough money to open position? How big is the loss if Stop Loss triggers? How to limit the number of pending orders? Was the trade operation executed at the current bar or at the previous one? If a trade robot cannot perform this kind of verifications, then any trade strategy can turn into a losing one. This article shows the examples of verifications that are useful in any Expert Advisor.