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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Market Simulation (Part 13): Sockets (VII)

Market Simulation (Part 13): Sockets (VII)

When we develop something in xlwings or any other package that allows reading and writing directly to Excel, we must note that all programs, functions, or procedures execute and then complete their task. They do not remain in a loop, no matter how hard we try to do things differently.
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From Novice to Expert: Animated News Headline Using MQL5 (VII) — Post Impact Strategy for News Trading

From Novice to Expert: Animated News Headline Using MQL5 (VII) — Post Impact Strategy for News Trading

The risk of whipsaw is extremely high during the first minute following a high-impact economic news release. In that brief window, price movements can be erratic and volatile, often triggering both sides of pending orders. Shortly after the release—typically within a minute—the market tends to stabilize, resuming or correcting the prevailing trend with more typical volatility. In this section, we’ll explore an alternative approach to news trading, aiming to assess its effectiveness as a valuable addition to a trader’s toolkit. Continue reading for more insights and details in this discussion.
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From Novice to Expert: Animated News Headline Using MQL5 (XI)—Correlation in News Trading

From Novice to Expert: Animated News Headline Using MQL5 (XI)—Correlation in News Trading

In this discussion, we will explore how the concept of Financial Correlation can be applied to improve decision-making efficiency when trading multiple symbols during major economic events announcement. The focus is on addressing the challenge of heightened risk exposure caused by increased volatility during news releases.
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Data label for time series mining (Part 5):Apply and Test in EA Using Socket

Data label for time series mining (Part 5):Apply and Test in EA Using Socket

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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MetaTrader 5 Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 14): Transaction Cost Modeling for Triple-Barrier Labels in MQL5

MetaTrader 5 Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 14): Transaction Cost Modeling for Triple-Barrier Labels in MQL5

The article replaces hardcoded cost assumptions in triple-barrier labeling with measured inputs. An MQL5 script captures spread distribution, swap rates, and symbol metadata from your broker, and a Python model converts them into a broker-calibrated min ret you can pass to get events. Labels then reflect the actual round-trip friction for your instrument and holding period.
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MetaTrader 5 Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 9): Integrating Bayesian HPO into the Production Pipeline

MetaTrader 5 Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 9): Integrating Bayesian HPO into the Production Pipeline

​This article integrates the Optuna hyperparameter optimization (HPO) backend into a unified ModelDevelopmentPipeline. It adds joint tuning of model hyperparameters and sample-weight schemes, early pruning with Hyperband, and crash-resistant SQLite study storage. The pipeline auto-detects primary vs. secondary models, prepends a fitted column-dropping preprocessor for safe inference, supports sequential bootstrapping, generates an Optuna report, and includes bid/ask and LearnedStrategy links. Readers get faster, resumable runs and deployable, self-contained models.
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Creating Custom Indicators in MQL5 (Part 10): Enhancing the Footprint Chart with Per-Bar Volume Sentiment Information Box

Creating Custom Indicators in MQL5 (Part 10): Enhancing the Footprint Chart with Per-Bar Volume Sentiment Information Box

The article enhances an MQL5 footprint indicator with a compact box above each candle that summarizes net delta, total volume, and buy/sell percentages. We implement supersampled anti‑aliased rendering, rounded corners via arc and quadrilateral rasterization, and per‑pixel alpha compositing. Supporting utilities include ARGB conversion, scanline fills, and box‑filter downsampling. The box delivers fast sentiment reads that stay legible across zoom levels.
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Developing an MQTT client for Metatrader 5: a TDD approach — Part 4

Developing an MQTT client for Metatrader 5: a TDD approach — Part 4

This article is the fourth part of a series describing our development steps of a native MQL5 client for the MQTT protocol. In this part, we describe what MQTT v5.0 Properties are, their semantics, how we are reading some of them, and provide a brief example of how Properties can be used to extend the protocol.
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The base class of population algorithms as the backbone of efficient optimization

The base class of population algorithms as the backbone of efficient optimization

The article represents a unique research attempt to combine a variety of population algorithms into a single class to simplify the application of optimization methods. This approach not only opens up opportunities for the development of new algorithms, including hybrid variants, but also creates a universal basic test stand. This stand becomes a key tool for choosing the optimal algorithm depending on a specific task.
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Post-Factum trading analysis: Selecting trailing stops and new stop levels in the strategy tester

Post-Factum trading analysis: Selecting trailing stops and new stop levels in the strategy tester

We continue the topic of analyzing completed deals in the strategy tester to improve the quality of trading. Let's see how using different trailing stops can change our existing trading results.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 79): Feature Aggregated Queries (FAQ) in the context of state

Neural networks made easy (Part 79): Feature Aggregated Queries (FAQ) in the context of state

In the previous article, we got acquainted with one of the methods for detecting objects in an image. However, processing a static image is somewhat different from working with dynamic time series, such as the dynamics of the prices we analyze. In this article, we will consider the method of detecting objects in video, which is somewhat closer to the problem we are solving.
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Chemical reaction optimization (CRO) algorithm (Part II): Assembling and results

Chemical reaction optimization (CRO) algorithm (Part II): Assembling and results

In the second part, we will collect chemical operators into a single algorithm and present a detailed analysis of its results. Let's find out how the Chemical reaction optimization (CRO) method copes with solving complex problems on test functions.
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Optimizing Liquidity Raids: Mastering the Difference Between Liquidity Raids and Market Structure Shifts

Optimizing Liquidity Raids: Mastering the Difference Between Liquidity Raids and Market Structure Shifts

This is an article about a specialized trend-following EA that aims to clearly elaborate how to utilize trading setups after liquidity raids. This article will explore in detail an EA that is specifically designed for traders who are keen on optimizing and utilizing liquidity raids and purges as entry criteria for their trades and trading decisions. It will also explore how to correctly differentiate between liquidity raids and market structure shifts and how to validate and utilize each of them when they occur, thus trying to mitigate losses that occur from traders confusing the two.
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Neural Networks Made Easy (Part 81): Context-Guided Motion Analysis (CCMR)

Neural Networks Made Easy (Part 81): Context-Guided Motion Analysis (CCMR)

In previous works, we always assessed the current state of the environment. At the same time, the dynamics of changes in indicators always remained "behind the scenes". In this article I want to introduce you to an algorithm that allows you to evaluate the direct change in data between 2 successive environmental states.
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Reimagining Classic Strategies: Crude Oil

Reimagining Classic Strategies: Crude Oil

In this article, we revisit a classic crude oil trading strategy with the aim of enhancing it by leveraging supervised machine learning algorithms. We will construct a least-squares model to predict future Brent crude oil prices based on the spread between Brent and WTI crude oil prices. Our goal is to identify a leading indicator of future changes in Brent prices.
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MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 22): Graphing the Histogram and Probability Mass Function (PMF) of the Binomial Distribution

MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 22): Graphing the Histogram and Probability Mass Function (PMF) of the Binomial Distribution

This article develops an interactive MQL5 plot for the binomial distribution, combining a histogram of simulated outcomes with the theoretical probability mass function. It implements mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis, percentiles, and confidence intervals, along with configurable themes and labels, and supports dragging, resizing, and live parameter changes. Use it to assess expected wins, likely drawdowns, and confidence ranges when validating trading strategies.
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One-Dimensional Singular Spectrum Analysis

One-Dimensional Singular Spectrum Analysis

The article examines the theoretical and practical aspects of the singular spectrum analysis (SSA) method, which is an efficient method of time series analysis that allows one to represent the complex structure of a series as a decomposition into simple components, such as trend, seasonal (periodic) fluctuations and noise.
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Creating Custom Indicators in MQL5 (Part 7): Hybrid Time Price Opportunity (TPO) Market Profiles for Session Analysis

Creating Custom Indicators in MQL5 (Part 7): Hybrid Time Price Opportunity (TPO) Market Profiles for Session Analysis

In this article, we develop a custom indicator in MQL5 for hybrid Time Price Opportunity (TPO) market profiles, supporting multiple session timeframes such as intraday, daily, weekly, monthly, and fixed periods with timezone adjustments. The indicator quantizes prices into a grid, tracks session data including highs, lows, opens, and closes, and calculates key elements like the point of control and value area based on TPO counts. It renders profiles visually on the chart with customizable colors for TPO letters, single prints, value areas, POC, and close markers, enabling detailed session analysis
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Artificial Cooperative Search (ACS) algorithm

Artificial Cooperative Search (ACS) algorithm

Artificial Cooperative Search (ACS) is an innovative method using a binary matrix and multiple dynamic populations based on mutualistic relationships and cooperation to find optimal solutions quickly and accurately. ACS unique approach to predators and prey enables it to achieve excellent results in numerical optimization problems.
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Neural Networks in Trading: Adaptive Detection of Market Anomalies (Final Part)

Neural Networks in Trading: Adaptive Detection of Market Anomalies (Final Part)

We continue to build the algorithms that form the basis of the DADA framework, which is an advanced tool for detecting anomalies in time series. This approach enables effective distinguishing random fluctuations from significant deviations. Unlike classical methods, DADA dynamically adapts to different data types, choosing the optimal compression level in each specific case.
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HTTP and Connexus (Part 2): Understanding HTTP Architecture and Library Design

HTTP and Connexus (Part 2): Understanding HTTP Architecture and Library Design

This article explores the fundamentals of the HTTP protocol, covering the main methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE), status codes and the structure of URLs. In addition, it presents the beginning of the construction of the Conexus library with the CQueryParam and CURL classes, which facilitate the manipulation of URLs and query parameters in HTTP requests.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 66): Using Patterns of FrAMA and the Force Index with the Dot Product Kernel

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 66): Using Patterns of FrAMA and the Force Index with the Dot Product Kernel

The FrAMA Indicator and the Force Index Oscillator are trend and volume tools that could be paired when developing an Expert Advisor. We continue from our last article that introduced this pair by considering machine learning applicability to the pair. We are using a convolution neural network that uses the dot-product kernel in making forecasts with these indicators’ inputs. This is done in a custom signal class file that works with the MQL5 wizard to assemble an Expert Advisor.
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Mastering Log Records (Part 4): Saving logs to files

Mastering Log Records (Part 4): Saving logs to files

In this article, I will teach you basic file operations and how to configure a flexible handler for customization. We will update the CLogifyHandlerFile class to write logs directly to the file. We will conduct a performance test by simulating a strategy on EURUSD for a week, generating logs at each tick, with a total time of 5 minutes and 11 seconds. The result will be compared in a future article, where we will implement a caching system to improve performance.
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Gain an Edge Over Any Market (Part III): Visa Spending Index

Gain an Edge Over Any Market (Part III): Visa Spending Index

In the world of big data, there are millions of alternative datasets that hold the potential to enhance our trading strategies. In this series of articles, we will help you identify the most informative public datasets.
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Hidden Markov Models in Machine Learning-Based Trading Systems

Hidden Markov Models in Machine Learning-Based Trading Systems

Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) are a powerful class of probabilistic models designed to analyze sequential data, where observed events depend on some sequence of unobserved (hidden) states that form a Markov process. The main assumptions of HMM include the Markov property for hidden states, meaning that the probability of transition to the next state depends only on the current state, and the independence of observations given knowledge of the current hidden state.
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MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 23): Camera-Controlled, DirectX-Enabled 3D Graphs for Distribution Insights

MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 23): Camera-Controlled, DirectX-Enabled 3D Graphs for Distribution Insights

In this article, we advance the binomial distribution graphing tool in MQL5 by integrating DirectX for 3D visualization, enabling switchable 2D/3D modes with camera-controlled rotation, zoom, and auto-fitting for immersive analysis. We render 3D histogram bars, ground planes, and axes alongside the theoretical probability mass function curve, while preserving 2D elements like statistics panels, legends, and customizable themes, gradients, and labels
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Forex Arbitrage Trading: Relationship Assessment Panel

Forex Arbitrage Trading: Relationship Assessment Panel

This article presents the development of an arbitrage analysis panel in MQL5. How to get fair exchange rates on Forex in different ways? Create an indicator to obtain deviations of market prices from fair exchange rates, as well as to assess the benefits of arbitrage ways of exchanging one currency for another (as in triangular arbitrage).
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Integrating MQL5 with data processing packages (Part 1): Advanced Data analysis and Statistical Processing

Integrating MQL5 with data processing packages (Part 1): Advanced Data analysis and Statistical Processing

Integration enables seamless workflow where raw financial data from MQL5 can be imported into data processing packages like Jupyter Lab for advanced analysis including statistical testing.
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Developing a Replay System (Part 31): Expert Advisor project — C_Mouse class (V)

Developing a Replay System (Part 31): Expert Advisor project — C_Mouse class (V)

We need a timer that can show how much time is left till the end of the replay/simulation run. This may seem at first glance to be a simple and quick solution. Many simply try to adapt and use the same system that the trading server uses. But there's one thing that many people don't consider when thinking about this solution: with replay, and even m ore with simulation, the clock works differently. All this complicates the creation of such a system.
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Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 7): Selecting a group based on forward period

Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 7): Selecting a group based on forward period

Previously, we evaluated the selection of a group of trading strategy instances, with the aim of improving the results of their joint operation, only on the same time period, in which the optimization of individual instances was carried out. Let's see what happens in the forward period.
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The View and Controller components for tables in the MQL5 MVC paradigm: Simple controls

The View and Controller components for tables in the MQL5 MVC paradigm: Simple controls

The article covers simple controls as components of more complex graphical elements of the View component within the framework of table implementation in the MVC (Model-View-Controller) paradigm. The basic functionality of the Controller is implemented for interaction of elements with the user and with each other. This is the second article on the View component and the fourth one in a series of articles on creating tables for the MetaTrader 5 client terminal.
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AI Trading Platform: Why MetaTrader 5 Is the Best Choice for Algorithmic Trading with Python, ONNX, and AI Assistant

AI Trading Platform: Why MetaTrader 5 Is the Best Choice for Algorithmic Trading with Python, ONNX, and AI Assistant

MetaTrader 5 is well suited for AI trading because it combines market data, MQL5 development, Python research, ONNX models, Strategy Tester, VPS, and the MQL5.community ecosystem into a single workflow. This article demonstrates a practical path from AI prompts to structured signals, working with code via the AI Assistant in MetaEditor, a quality model, a custom-created Expert Advisor, testing, and a controllable launch of a trading system.
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Creating a Trading Administrator Panel in MQL5 (Part IV): Login Security Layer

Creating a Trading Administrator Panel in MQL5 (Part IV): Login Security Layer

Imagine a malicious actor infiltrating the Trading Administrator room, gaining access to the computers and the Admin Panel used to communicate valuable insights to millions of traders worldwide. Such an intrusion could lead to disastrous consequences, such as the unauthorized sending of misleading messages or random clicks on buttons that trigger unintended actions. In this discussion, we will explore the security measures in MQL5 and the new security features we have implemented in our Admin Panel to safeguard against these threats. By enhancing our security protocols, we aim to protect our communication channels and maintain the trust of our global trading community. Find more insights in this article discussion.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 89): Using Bitwise Vectorization with Perceptron Classifiers

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 89): Using Bitwise Vectorization with Perceptron Classifiers

This article presents a custom MQL5 signal class, CSignalBitwisePerceptron, for ultra-lightweight entry logic. It packs 64 bars into a single uint64 via bitwise vectorization and evaluates them with a perceptron that sums weights only for active bits. A two-gate flow (algorithmic hash map plus neural threshold) minimizes array iteration and heavy math. Readers get a practical template to cut latency and refine entry validation.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 07): Dendrograms

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 07): Dendrograms

Data classification for purposes of analysis and forecasting is a very diverse arena within machine learning and it features a large number of approaches and methods. This piece looks at one such approach, namely Agglomerative Hierarchical Classification.
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Low-Frequency Quantitative Strategies in Metatrader 5: (Part 2) Backtesting a Lead/Lag Analysis in SQL and in Metatrader 5

Low-Frequency Quantitative Strategies in Metatrader 5: (Part 2) Backtesting a Lead/Lag Analysis in SQL and in Metatrader 5

The article describes a complete pipeline that uses data analysis for finding low-frequency lead/lag trading opportunities. It goes into building a cross-correlation-based Lead/Lag analyser step-by-step, with special attention to the most common errors beginners may commit while developing cross-asset diffusion queries. After screening dozens of cointegrated and correlated pairs, a trading candidate pair is chosen, and its tradeability is evaluated in a pure SQL backtest. Once it is qualified, the strategy is backtested on the MetaTester for parameter optimization. The Expert Advisor with respective backtest settings and optimization inputs is provided, along with Python and SQL scripts.
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Creating a Custom Tick Chart in MQL5

Creating a Custom Tick Chart in MQL5

Learn how to implement a tick-based chart in MQL5 where each bar is built from a fixed number of ticks instead of time. The article covers creating and configuring a custom symbol, capturing real-time ticks, forming OHLC values, and pushing data with CustomRatesUpdate. This approach produces activity-driven candles that better reflect market intensity and short-term momentum for precise intraday analysis.
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MetaTrader 5 Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 13):  Implementing Bet Sizing in MQL5

MetaTrader 5 Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 13): Implementing Bet Sizing in MQL5

We build a production MQL5 bet‑sizing toolkit: utilities, snippets, and user‑level functions that mirror the Python originals. The methods cover probability‑to‑size mapping with overlap correction, dynamic forecast‑price sizing (calibrated sigmoid/power with limit price), occupancy‑based budgeting, and mixture‑model reserve sizing (EF3M). The result is a signed [−1, ..., 1] position plus diagnostics you can plug directly into order logic.
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Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part 13): Taking Our Crossover Strategy to New Dimensions (Part 2)

Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part 13): Taking Our Crossover Strategy to New Dimensions (Part 2)

Join us in our discussion as we look for additional improvements to make to our moving-average cross over strategy to reduce the lag in our trading strategy to more reliable levels by leveraging our skills in data science. It is a well-studied fact that projecting your data to higher dimensions can at times improve the performance of your machine learning models. We will demonstrate what this practically means for you as a trader, and illustrate how you can weaponize this powerful principle using your MetaTrader 5 Terminal.
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Category Theory in MQL5 (Part 6): Monomorphic Pull-Backs and Epimorphic Push-Outs

Category Theory in MQL5 (Part 6): Monomorphic Pull-Backs and Epimorphic Push-Outs

Category Theory is a diverse and expanding branch of Mathematics which is only recently getting some coverage in the MQL5 community. These series of articles look to explore and examine some of its concepts & axioms with the overall goal of establishing an open library that provides insight while also hopefully furthering the use of this remarkable field in Traders' strategy development.