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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Building a Trading System (Part 3): Determining Minimum Risk Levels for Realistic Profit Targets

Building a Trading System (Part 3): Determining Minimum Risk Levels for Realistic Profit Targets

Every trader's ultimate goal is profitability, which is why many set specific profit targets to achieve within a defined trading period. In this article, we will use Monte Carlo simulations to determine the optimal risk percentage per trade needed to meet trading objectives. The results will help traders assess whether their profit targets are realistic or overly ambitious. Finally, we will discuss which parameters can be adjusted to establish a practical risk percentage per trade that aligns with trading goals.
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 41): Building a Statistical Price-Level EA in MQL5

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 41): Building a Statistical Price-Level EA in MQL5

Statistics has always been at the heart of financial analysis. By definition, statistics is the discipline that collects, analyzes, interprets, and presents data in meaningful ways. Now imagine applying that same framework to candlesticks—compressing raw price action into measurable insights. How helpful would it be to know, for a specific period of time, the central tendency, spread, and distribution of market behavior? In this article, we introduce exactly that approach, showing how statistical methods can transform candlestick data into clear, actionable signals.
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Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 02): First experiments (II)

Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 02): First experiments (II)

This time, let's try a different approach to achieve the 1 minute goal. However, this task is not as simple as one might think.
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Integrating Discord with MetaTrader 5: Building a Trading Bot with Real-Time Notifications

Integrating Discord with MetaTrader 5: Building a Trading Bot with Real-Time Notifications

In this article, we will see how to integrate MetaTrader 5 and a discord server in order to receive trading notifications in real time from any location. We will see how to configure the platform and Discord to enable the delivery of alerts to Discord. We will also cover security issues which arise in connection with the use of WebRequests and webhooks for such alerting solutions.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 21): Variational autoencoders (VAE)

Neural networks made easy (Part 21): Variational autoencoders (VAE)

In the last article, we got acquainted with the Autoencoder algorithm. Like any other algorithm, it has its advantages and disadvantages. In its original implementation, the autoenctoder is used to separate the objects from the training sample as much as possible. This time we will talk about how to deal with some of its disadvantages.
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Econometric tools for forecasting volatility: GARCH model

Econometric tools for forecasting volatility: GARCH model

The article describes the properties of the non-linear model of conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH). The iGARCH indicator has been built on its basis for predicting volatility one step ahead. The ALGLIB numerical analysis library is used to estimate the model parameters.
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News Trading Made Easy (Part 1): Creating a Database

News Trading Made Easy (Part 1): Creating a Database

News trading can be complicated and overwhelming, in this article we will go through steps to obtain news data. Additionally we will learn about the MQL5 Economic Calendar and what it has to offer.
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Creating an MQL5-Telegram Integrated Expert Advisor (Part 3): Sending Chart Screenshots with Captions from MQL5 to Telegram

Creating an MQL5-Telegram Integrated Expert Advisor (Part 3): Sending Chart Screenshots with Captions from MQL5 to Telegram

In this article, we create an MQL5 Expert Advisor that encodes chart screenshots as image data and sends them to a Telegram chat via HTTP requests. By integrating photo encoding and transmission, we enhance the existing MQL5-Telegram system with visual trading insights directly within Telegram.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 16): Practical use of clustering

Neural networks made easy (Part 16): Practical use of clustering

In the previous article, we have created a class for data clustering. In this article, I want to share variants of the possible application of obtained results in solving practical trading tasks.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 15): Data clustering using MQL5

Neural networks made easy (Part 15): Data clustering using MQL5

We continue to consider the clustering method. In this article, we will create a new CKmeans class to implement one of the most common k-means clustering methods. During tests, the model managed to identify about 500 patterns.
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 11): Heikin Ashi Signal EA

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 11): Heikin Ashi Signal EA

MQL5 offers endless opportunities to develop automated trading systems tailored to your preferences. Did you know it can even perform complex mathematical calculations? In this article, we introduce the Japanese Heikin-Ashi technique as an automated trading strategy.
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Trend Prediction with LSTM for Trend-Following Strategies

Trend Prediction with LSTM for Trend-Following Strategies

Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) is a type of recurrent neural network (RNN) designed to model sequential data by effectively capturing long-term dependencies and addressing the vanishing gradient problem. In this article, we will explore how to utilize LSTM to predict future trends, enhancing the performance of trend-following strategies. The article will cover the introduction of key concepts and the motivation behind development, fetching data from MetaTrader 5, using that data to train the model in Python, integrating the machine learning model into MQL5, and reflecting on the results and future aspirations based on statistical backtesting.
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Sentiment Analysis and Deep Learning for Trading with EA and Backtesting with Python

Sentiment Analysis and Deep Learning for Trading with EA and Backtesting with Python

In this article, we will introduce Sentiment Analysis and ONNX Models with Python to be used in an EA. One script runs a trained ONNX model from TensorFlow for deep learning predictions, while another fetches news headlines and quantifies sentiment using AI.
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Developing an Expert Advisor from scratch (Part 30): CHART TRADE as an indicator?

Developing an Expert Advisor from scratch (Part 30): CHART TRADE as an indicator?

Today we are going to use Chart Trade again, but this time it will be an on-chart indicator which may or may not be present on the chart.
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Data label for time series  mining(Part 1):Make a dataset with trend markers through the EA operation chart

Data label for time series mining(Part 1):Make a dataset with trend markers through the EA operation chart

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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Experiments with neural networks (Part 2): Smart neural network optimization

Experiments with neural networks (Part 2): Smart neural network optimization

In this article, I will use experimentation and non-standard approaches to develop a profitable trading system and check whether neural networks can be of any help for traders. MetaTrader 5 as a self-sufficient tool for using neural networks in trading.
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Build Self Optimizing Expert Advisors in MQL5 (Part 6): Stop Out Prevention

Build Self Optimizing Expert Advisors in MQL5 (Part 6): Stop Out Prevention

Join us in our discussion today as we look for an algorithmic procedure to minimize the total number of times we get stopped out of winning trades. The problem we faced is significantly challenging, and most solutions given in community discussions lack set and fixed rules. Our algorithmic approach to solving the problem increased the profitability of our trades and reduced our average loss per trade. However, there are further advancements to be made to completely filter out all trades that will be stopped out, our solution is a good first step for anyone to try.
Using Assertions in MQL5 Programs
Using Assertions in MQL5 Programs

Using Assertions in MQL5 Programs

This article covers the use of assertions in MQL5 language. It provides two examples of the assertion mechanism and some general guidance for implementing assertions.
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Python, ONNX and MetaTrader 5: Creating a RandomForest model with RobustScaler and PolynomialFeatures data preprocessing

Python, ONNX and MetaTrader 5: Creating a RandomForest model with RobustScaler and PolynomialFeatures data preprocessing

In this article, we will create a random forest model in Python, train the model, and save it as an ONNX pipeline with data preprocessing. After that we will use the model in the MetaTrader 5 terminal.
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Advanced resampling and selection of CatBoost models by brute-force method

Advanced resampling and selection of CatBoost models by brute-force method

This article describes one of the possible approaches to data transformation aimed at improving the generalizability of the model, and also discusses sampling and selection of CatBoost models.
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How to build and optimize a volatility-based trading system (Chaikin Volatility - CHV)

How to build and optimize a volatility-based trading system (Chaikin Volatility - CHV)

In this article, we will provide another volatility-based indicator named Chaikin Volatility. We will understand how to build a custom indicator after identifying how it can be used and constructed. We will share some simple strategies that can be used and then test them to understand which one can be better.
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Cycles and trading

Cycles and trading

This article is about using cycles in trading. We will consider building a trading strategy based on cyclical models.
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Automated exchange grid trading using stop pending orders on Moscow Exchange (MOEX)

Automated exchange grid trading using stop pending orders on Moscow Exchange (MOEX)

The article considers the grid trading approach based on stop pending orders and implemented in an MQL5 Expert Advisor on the Moscow Exchange (MOEX). When trading in the market, one of the simplest strategies is a grid of orders designed to "catch" the market price.
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From Novice to Expert: Enhancing Liquidity Strategies with Multi-Timeframe Structural Confirmation in MQL5

From Novice to Expert: Enhancing Liquidity Strategies with Multi-Timeframe Structural Confirmation in MQL5

The alignment of higher-timeframe liquidity structures with lower-timeframe reversal patterns can greatly influence both the likelihood and direction of the next price movement. By integrating structural liquidity zones from higher timeframes with precise reversal confirmations on lower timeframes, traders can improve entry timing and overall trade quality. This article demonstrates how to reinforce liquidity-based trading strategies through higher-timeframe structural confirmation—and how to implement this approach effectively using MQL5.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 38): Hidden RSI Divergence Trading with Slope Angle Filters

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 38): Hidden RSI Divergence Trading with Slope Angle Filters

In this article, we build an MQL5 EA that detects hidden RSI divergences via swing points with strength, bar ranges, tolerance, and slope angle filters for price and RSI lines. It executes buy/sell trades on validated signals with fixed lots, SL/TP in pips, and optional trailing stops for risk control.
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Custom Indicator Workshop (Part 3): Building the UT Bot Alerts Indicator in MQL5

Custom Indicator Workshop (Part 3): Building the UT Bot Alerts Indicator in MQL5

This article demonstrates how to build the UT Bot Alerts indicator in MQL5 using a clear, step-by-step approach. The tutorial explains how to implement an ATR-based trailing stop system, compute a custom EMA for signal detection, and generate buy and sell signals without repainting. The final indicator provides well-structured buffers that enable easy integration with Expert Advisors, automated trading systems, and other algorithmic tools within the MetaTrader 5 platform.
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Tips from a professional programmer (Part III): Logging. Connecting to the Seq log collection and analysis system

Tips from a professional programmer (Part III): Logging. Connecting to the Seq log collection and analysis system

Implementation of the Logger class for unifying and structuring messages which are printed to the Experts log. Connection to the Seq log collection and analysis system. Monitoring log messages online.
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MQL5 Cookbook — Macroeconomic events database

MQL5 Cookbook — Macroeconomic events database

The article discusses the possibilities of handling databases based on the SQLite engine. The CDatabase class has been formed for convenience and efficient use of OOP principles. It is subsequently involved in the creation and management of the database of macroeconomic events. The article provides the examples of using multiple methods of the CDatabase class.
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Moral expectation in trading

Moral expectation in trading

This article is about moral expectation. We will look at several examples of its use in trading, as well as the results that can be achieved with its help.
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 70): Turning Flag Pattern Signals into Automated Trade Execution

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 70): Turning Flag Pattern Signals into Automated Trade Execution

The article defines a buffer-based signal architecture for flag breakouts and an EA that consumes it. Breakout arrows and pole height are written to dedicated buffers only after confirmation, preventing repainting and ambiguity. The EA polls buffers with CopyBuffer(), validates signals using configurable filters, and executes trades with fixed or dynamic SL/TP.
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Building Your First Glass-box Model Using Python And MQL5

Building Your First Glass-box Model Using Python And MQL5

Machine learning models are difficult to interpret and understanding why our models deviate from our expectations is critical if we want to gain any value from using such advanced techniques. Without comprehensive insight into the inner workings of our model, we might fail to spot bugs that are corrupting our model's performance, we may waste time over engineering features that aren't predictive and in the long run we risk underutilizing the power of these models. Fortunately, there is a sophisticated and well maintained all in one solution that allows us to see exactly what our model is doing underneath the hood.
New Opportunities with MetaTrader 5
New Opportunities with MetaTrader 5

New Opportunities with MetaTrader 5

MetaTrader 4 gained its popularity with traders from all over the world, and it seemed like nothing more could be wished for. With its high processing speed, stability, wide array of possibilities for writing indicators, Expert Advisors, and informatory-trading systems, and the ability to chose from over a hundred different brokers, - the terminal greatly distinguished itself from the rest. But time doesn’t stand still, and we find ourselves facing a choice of MetaTrade 4 or MetaTrade 5. In this article, we will describe the main differences of the 5th generation terminal from our current favor.
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Bill Williams Strategy with and without other indicators and predictions

Bill Williams Strategy with and without other indicators and predictions

In this article, we will take a look to one the famous strategies of Bill Williams, and discuss it, and try to improve the strategy with other indicators and with predictions.
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 21): Market Structure Flip Detector Tool

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 21): Market Structure Flip Detector Tool

The Market Structure Flip Detector Expert Advisor (EA) acts as your vigilant partner, constantly observing shifts in market sentiment. By utilizing Average True Range (ATR)-based thresholds, it effectively detects structure flips and labels each Higher Low and Lower High with clear indicators. Thanks to MQL5’s swift execution and flexible API, this tool offers real-time analysis that adjusts the display for optimal readability and provides a live dashboard to monitor flip counts and timings. Furthermore, customizable sound and push notifications guarantee that you stay informed of critical signals, allowing you to see how straightforward inputs and helper routines can transform price movements into actionable strategies.
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Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part 16): Double Bollinger Band Breakouts

Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part 16): Double Bollinger Band Breakouts

This article walks the reader through a reimagined version of the classical Bollinger Band breakout strategy. It identifies key weaknesses in the original approach, such as its well-known susceptibility to false breakouts. The article aims to introduce a possible solution: the Double Bollinger Band trading strategy. This relatively lesser known approach supplements the weaknesses of the classical version and offers a more dynamic perspective on financial markets. It helps us overcome the old limitations defined by the original rules, providing traders with a stronger and more adaptive framework.
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Introduction to MQL5 (Part 6): A Beginner's Guide to Array Functions in MQL5 (II)

Introduction to MQL5 (Part 6): A Beginner's Guide to Array Functions in MQL5 (II)

Embark on the next phase of our MQL5 journey. In this insightful and beginner-friendly article, we'll look into the remaining array functions, demystifying complex concepts to empower you to craft efficient trading strategies. We’ll be discussing ArrayPrint, ArrayInsert, ArraySize, ArrayRange, ArrarRemove, ArraySwap, ArrayReverse, and ArraySort. Elevate your algorithmic trading expertise with these essential array functions. Join us on the path to MQL5 mastery!
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From Python to MQL5: A Journey into Quantum-Inspired Trading Systems

From Python to MQL5: A Journey into Quantum-Inspired Trading Systems

The article explores the development of a quantum-inspired trading system, transitioning from a Python prototype to an MQL5 implementation for real-world trading. The system uses quantum computing principles like superposition and entanglement to analyze market states, though it runs on classical computers using quantum simulators. Key features include a three-qubit system for analyzing eight market states simultaneously, 24-hour lookback periods, and seven technical indicators for market analysis. While the accuracy rates might seem modest, they provide a significant edge when combined with proper risk management strategies.
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Developing a trading Expert Advisor from scratch (Part 28): Towards the future (III)

Developing a trading Expert Advisor from scratch (Part 28): Towards the future (III)

There is still one task which our order system is not up to, but we will FINALLY figure it out. The MetaTrader 5 provides a system of tickets which allows creating and correcting order values. The idea is to have an Expert Advisor that would make the same ticket system faster and more efficient.
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Creating a ticker tape panel: Basic version

Creating a ticker tape panel: Basic version

Here I will show how to create screens with price tickers which are usually used to display quotes on the exchange. I will do it by only using MQL5, without using complex external programming.
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Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part XI): Moving Average Cross Over (II)

Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part XI): Moving Average Cross Over (II)

The moving averages and the stochastic oscillator could be used to generate trend following trading signals. However, these signals will only be observed after the price action has occurred. We can effectively overcome this inherent lag in technical indicators using AI. This article will teach you how to create a fully autonomous AI-powered Expert Advisor in a manner that can improve any of your existing trading strategies. Even the oldest trading strategy possible can be improved.