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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Neuroboids Optimization Algorithm (NOA)

Neuroboids Optimization Algorithm (NOA)

A new bioinspired optimization metaheuristic, NOA (Neuroboids Optimization Algorithm), combines the principles of collective intelligence and neural networks. Unlike conventional methods, the algorithm uses a population of self-learning "neuroboids", each with its own neural network that adapts its search strategy in real time. The article reveals the architecture of the algorithm, the mechanisms of self-learning of agents, and the prospects for applying this hybrid approach to complex optimization problems.
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News Trading Made Easy (Part 4): Performance Enhancement

News Trading Made Easy (Part 4): Performance Enhancement

This article will dive into methods to improve the expert's runtime in the strategy tester, the code will be written to divide news event times into hourly categories. These news event times will be accessed within their specified hour. This ensures that the EA can efficiently manage event-driven trades in both high and low-volatility environments.
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Step-by-Step Implementation of a Local Stop Loss System in MQL5

Step-by-Step Implementation of a Local Stop Loss System in MQL5

This article shows how to build a local stop-loss system in an MQL5 Expert Advisor that keeps stop levels on the terminal side. It walks through the execution logic, event handlers, inputs, and an OOP design using CTrade, CPositionInfo, CHashMap/CHashSet, and chart objects. You will implement multi-position tracking, draggable stops, visual spacers and labels, plus cleanup and disconnection behavior to create a practical risk-control utility.
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Developing a Replay System (Part 65): Playing the service (VI)

Developing a Replay System (Part 65): Playing the service (VI)

In this article, we will look at how to implement and solve the mouse pointer issue when using it in conjunction with a replay/simulation application. 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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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 33): Gaussian Process Kernels

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 33): Gaussian Process Kernels

Gaussian Process Kernels are the covariance function of the Normal Distribution that could play a role in forecasting. We explore this unique algorithm in a custom signal class of MQL5 to see if it could be put to use as a prime entry and exit signal.
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Overcoming Accessibility Problems in MQL5 Trading Tools (Part III): Bidirectional Speech Communication Between a Trader and an Expert Advisor

Overcoming Accessibility Problems in MQL5 Trading Tools (Part III): Bidirectional Speech Communication Between a Trader and an Expert Advisor

Build a local, bidirectional voice interface for MetaTrader 5 using MQL5 WebRequest and two Python services. The article implements offline speech recognition with Vosk, wake‑word detection, an HTTP command endpoint, and a text‑to‑speech server on localhost. You will wire an Expert Advisor that fetches commands, executes trades, and returns spoken confirmations for hands‑free operation.
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MQL5 Trading Toolkit (Part 5): Expanding the History Management EX5 Library with Position Functions

MQL5 Trading Toolkit (Part 5): Expanding the History Management EX5 Library with Position Functions

Discover how to create exportable EX5 functions to efficiently query and save historical position data. In this step-by-step guide, we will expand the History Management EX5 library by developing modules that retrieve key properties of the most recently closed position. These include net profit, trade duration, pip-based stop loss, take profit, profit values, and various other important details.
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From Basic to Intermediate: Events (I)

From Basic to Intermediate: Events (I)

Given everything that has been shown so far, I think we can now start implementing some kind of application to run some symbol directly on the chart. However, first we need to talk about a concept that can be rather confusing for beginners. Namely, it's the fact that applications developed in MQL5 and intended for display on a chart are not created in the same way as we have seen so far. In this article, we'll begin to understand this a little better.
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Extremal Optimization (EO)

Extremal Optimization (EO)

The article discusses the Extremal Optimization (EO) algorithm, an optimization method inspired by the Bak-Sneppen self-organized criticality model, where evolution occurs through the elimination of the worst-case components of the system. The modified population version of the algorithm demonstrates a shift away from theoretical principles in favor of practical efficiency, leading to the creation of powerful computational tools.
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CRUD Operations in Firebase using MQL

CRUD Operations in Firebase using MQL

This article offers a step-by-step guide to mastering CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations in Firebase, focusing on its Realtime Database and Firestore. Discover how to use Firebase SDK methods to efficiently manage data in web and mobile apps, from adding new records to querying, modifying, and deleting entries. Explore practical code examples and best practices for structuring and handling data in real-time, empowering developers to build dynamic, scalable applications with Firebase’s flexible NoSQL architecture.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 87): Volatility-Scaled Money Management with Monotonic Queue in MQL5

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 87): Volatility-Scaled Money Management with Monotonic Queue in MQL5

This article presents a custom MQL5 money management class that adapts position sizing to real-time volatility using a monotonic queue for O(N) sliding-window extremes. The class applies inverse volatility scaling and optionally validates risk with an RBF network. We show implementation details in the Optimize method and compare results with the inbuilt Size-Optimized class to assess latency and risk control benefits.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 60): Inference Learning (Wasserstein-VAE) with Moving Average and Stochastic Oscillator Patterns

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 60): Inference Learning (Wasserstein-VAE) with Moving Average and Stochastic Oscillator Patterns

We wrap our look into the complementary pairing of the MA & Stochastic oscillator by examining what role inference-learning can play in a post supervised-learning & reinforcement-learning situation. There are clearly a multitude of ways one can choose to go about inference learning in this case, our approach, however, is to use variational auto encoders. We explore this in python before exporting our trained model by ONNX for use in a wizard assembled Expert Advisor in MetaTrader.
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Introduction to MQL5 (Part 43): Beginner Guide to File Handling in MQL5 (V)

Introduction to MQL5 (Part 43): Beginner Guide to File Handling in MQL5 (V)

The article explains how to use MQL5 structures with binary files to persist Expert Advisor parameters. It covers defining structures, accessing members, and distinguishing simple from complex layouts, then writing and reading entire records using FileWriteStruct and FileReadStruct in FILE BIN mode. You will learn safe patterns for fixed-size data and how shared storage (FILE COMMON) enables reuse across sessions and terminals.
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Creating a Trading Administrator Panel in MQL5 (Part VII): Trusted User, Recovery and Cryptography

Creating a Trading Administrator Panel in MQL5 (Part VII): Trusted User, Recovery and Cryptography

Security prompts, such as those triggered every time you refresh the chart, add a new pair to the chat with the Admin Panel EA, or restart the terminal, can become tedious. In this discussion, we will explore and implement a feature that tracks the number of login attempts to identify a trusted user. After a set number of failed attempts, the application will transition to an advanced login procedure, which also facilitates passcode recovery for users who may have forgotten it. Additionally, we will cover how cryptography can be effectively integrated into the Admin Panel to enhance security.
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Developing a Replay System (Part 52): Things Get Complicated (IV)

Developing a Replay System (Part 52): Things Get Complicated (IV)

In this article, we will change the mouse pointer to enable the interaction with the control indicator to ensure reliable and stable operation.
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Population optimization algorithms: Binary Genetic Algorithm (BGA). Part I

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

In this article, we will explore various methods used in binary genetic and other population algorithms. We will look at the main components of the algorithm, such as selection, crossover and mutation, and their impact on the optimization. In addition, we will study data presentation methods and their impact on optimization results.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 81):  Using Patterns of Ichimoku and the ADX-Wilder with Beta VAE Inference Learning

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 81): Using Patterns of Ichimoku and the ADX-Wilder with Beta VAE Inference Learning

This piece follows up ‘Part-80’, where we examined the pairing of Ichimoku and the ADX under a Reinforcement Learning framework. We now shift focus to Inference Learning. Ichimoku and ADX are complimentary as already covered, however we are going to revisit the conclusions of the last article related to pipeline use. For our inference learning, we are using the Beta algorithm of a Variational Auto Encoder. We also stick with the implementation of a custom signal class designed for integration with the MQL5 Wizard.
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Developing an MQL5 RL agent with RestAPI integration (Part 4): Organizing functions in classes in MQL5

Developing an MQL5 RL agent with RestAPI integration (Part 4): Organizing functions in classes in MQL5

This article discusses the transition from procedural coding to object-oriented programming (OOP) in MQL5 with an emphasis on integration with the REST API. Today we will discuss how to organize HTTP request functions (GET and POST) into classes. We will take a closer look at code refactoring and show how to replace isolated functions with class methods. The article contains practical examples and tests.
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Category Theory in MQL5 (Part 11): Graphs

Category Theory in MQL5 (Part 11): Graphs

This article is a continuation in a series that look at Category Theory implementation in MQL5. In here we examine how Graph-Theory could be integrated with monoids and other data structures when developing a close-out strategy to a trading system.
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Gating mechanisms in ensemble learning

Gating mechanisms in ensemble learning

In this article, we continue our exploration of ensemble models by discussing the concept of gates, specifically how they may be useful in combining model outputs to enhance either prediction accuracy or model generalization.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 63): Unsupervised Pretraining for Decision Transformer (PDT)

Neural networks made easy (Part 63): Unsupervised Pretraining for Decision Transformer (PDT)

We continue to discuss the family of Decision Transformer methods. From previous article, we have already noticed that training the transformer underlying the architecture of these methods is a rather complex task and requires a large labeled dataset for training. In this article we will look at an algorithm for using unlabeled trajectories for preliminary model training.
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Beyond Maximum Drawdown: Building a Drawdown DNA Analyzer in MQL5

Beyond Maximum Drawdown: Building a Drawdown DNA Analyzer in MQL5

Maximum drawdown is one number that hides what really matters: how often an equity curve declines, how long it stays below a previous peak, and how quickly it recovers. This article builds a native MQL5 tool that reconstructs the underwater curve, breaks it into individual drawdown episodes (depth, duration, recovery time), computes the Ulcer Index, Pain Index, and Recovery Factor, and combines them into a single resilience grade with practical recommendations. No external libraries, no Python, no AI.
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Building a Trade Analytics System (Part 4): Summary Metrics and Dashboard

Building a Trade Analytics System (Part 4): Summary Metrics and Dashboard

This article extends the existing Flask backend to compute performance analytics from stored MetaTrader 5 closed trades and deliver them as both JSON and a simple web view. It calculates total trades, total profit, win rate, average profit, and trade duration metrics, returning JSON at /api/v1/analytics/summary and rendering a dashboard at /api/v1. The result provides a quick, consistent way to review trading performance from persisted SQLite records.
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Market Simulation (Part 05): Creating the C_Orders Class (II)

Market Simulation (Part 05): Creating the C_Orders Class (II)

In this article, I will explain how Chart Trade, together with the Expert Advisor, will process a request to close all of the users' open positions. This may sound simple, but there are a few complications that you need to know how to manage.
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Population optimization algorithms: Artificial Multi-Social Search Objects (MSO)

Population optimization algorithms: Artificial Multi-Social Search Objects (MSO)

This is a continuation of the previous article considering the idea of social groups. The article explores the evolution of social groups using movement and memory algorithms. The results will help to understand the evolution of social systems and apply them in optimization and search for solutions.
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Market Simulation (Part 03): A Matter of Performance

Market Simulation (Part 03): A Matter of Performance

Often we have to take a step back and then move forward. In this article, we will show all the changes necessary to ensure that the Mouse and Chart Trade indicators do not break. As a bonus, we'll also cover other changes that have occurred in other header files that will be widely used in the future.
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From Basic to Intermediate: Template and Typename (IV)

From Basic to Intermediate: Template and Typename (IV)

In this article, we will take a very close look at how to solve the problem posed at the end of the previous article. There was an attempt to create a template of such type so that to be able to create a template for data union.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 35): Support Vector Regression

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 35): Support Vector Regression

Support Vector Regression is an idealistic way of finding a function or ‘hyper-plane’ that best describes the relationship between two sets of data. We attempt to exploit this in time series forecasting within custom classes of the MQL5 wizard.
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Database Is Easy (Part 1): A Lightweight ORM Framework for MQL5 Using SQLite

Database Is Easy (Part 1): A Lightweight ORM Framework for MQL5 Using SQLite

This article presents a structured way to manage SQLite data in MQL5 through an ORM layer for MetaTrader 5. It introduces core classes for entity modeling and database access, a fluent CRUD API, reflection hooks for OnGet/OnSet, and macros to define models quickly. Practical code shows creating tables, binding fields, inserting, updating, querying, and deleting records. Developers gain reusable, type-safe components that minimize repetitive SQL.
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Eigenvectors and eigenvalues: Exploratory data analysis in MetaTrader 5

Eigenvectors and eigenvalues: Exploratory data analysis in MetaTrader 5

In this article we explore different ways in which the eigenvectors and eigenvalues can be applied in exploratory data analysis to reveal unique relationships in data.
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Engineering a Self-Healing Expert Advisor in MQL5 (Part 1): Persistent Trade State Architecture

Engineering a Self-Healing Expert Advisor in MQL5 (Part 1): Persistent Trade State Architecture

This article demonstrates how to build the persistence foundation of a self-healing Expert Advisor in MQL5 using SQLite. Readers will learn how to create a permanent trade-state storage layer capable of surviving terminal restarts, shutdowns, and unexpected interruptions. The article covers SQLite integration in MetaTrader 5, database lifecycle management, persistent trade-state structures, and runtime state recovery using practical MQL5 implementations.
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From Basic to Intermediate: Definitions (I)

From Basic to Intermediate: Definitions (I)

In this article we will do things that many will find strange and completely out of context, but which, if used correctly, will make your learning much more fun and interesting: we will be able to build quite interesting things based on what is shown here. This will allow you to better understand the syntax of the MQL5 language. The materials provided here are for educational purposes only. It should not be considered in any way as a final application. Its purpose is not to explore the concepts presented.
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Quantization in machine learning (Part 2): Data preprocessing, table selection, training CatBoost models

Quantization in machine learning (Part 2): Data preprocessing, table selection, training CatBoost models

The article considers the practical application of quantization in the construction of tree models. The methods for selecting quantum tables and data preprocessing are considered. No complex mathematical equations are used.
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Deterministic Oscillatory Search (DOS)

Deterministic Oscillatory Search (DOS)

Deterministic Oscillatory Search (DOS) algorithm is an innovative global optimization method that combines the advantages of gradient and swarm algorithms without the use of random numbers. The fitness oscillation and slope mechanism allows DOS to explore complex search spaces in a deterministic manner.
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Engineering a Self-Healing Expert Advisor in MQL5 (Part 1): Persistent Trade State Architecture

Engineering a Self-Healing Expert Advisor in MQL5 (Part 1): Persistent Trade State Architecture

This article demonstrates how to build the persistence foundation of a self-healing Expert Advisor in MQL5 using SQLite. Readers will learn how to create a permanent trade-state storage layer capable of surviving terminal restarts, shutdowns, and unexpected interruptions. The article covers SQLite integration in MetaTrader 5, database lifecycle management, persistent trade-state structures, and runtime state recovery using practical MQL5 implementations.
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Analyzing binary code of prices on the exchange (Part I): A new look at technical analysis

Analyzing binary code of prices on the exchange (Part I): A new look at technical analysis

This article presents an innovative approach to technical analysis based on converting price movements into binary code. The author demonstrates how various aspects of market behavior — from simple price movements to complex patterns — can be encoded in a sequence of zeros and ones.
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Artificial Showering Algorithm (ASHA)

Artificial Showering Algorithm (ASHA)

The article presents the Artificial Showering Algorithm (ASHA), a new metaheuristic method developed for solving general optimization problems. Based on simulation of water flow and accumulation processes, this algorithm constructs the concept of an ideal field, in which each unit of resource (water) is called upon to find an optimal solution. We will find out how ASHA adapts flow and accumulation principles to efficiently allocate resources in a search space, and see its implementation and test results.
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Detecting and Classifying Fractal Patterns Using Machine Learning

Detecting and Classifying Fractal Patterns Using Machine Learning

In this article, we will touch upon the intriguing topic of fractal analysis and market forecasting using machine learning. These are just the first steps towards exploring the diverse fractal structures that form on financial price charts. We will use the correlation to find patterns and the CatBoost algorithm to classify these patterns.
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Population optimization algorithms: Micro Artificial immune system (Micro-AIS)

Population optimization algorithms: Micro Artificial immune system (Micro-AIS)

The article considers an optimization method based on the principles of the body's immune system - Micro Artificial Immune System (Micro-AIS) - a modification of AIS. Micro-AIS uses a simpler model of the immune system and simple immune information processing operations. The article also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of Micro-AIS compared to conventional AIS.
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Application of the Grey Model in Technical Analysis of Financial Time Series

Application of the Grey Model in Technical Analysis of Financial Time Series

This article explores the grey model, a promising tool that can expand trader's capabilities. We will look at some options for applying this model to technical analysis and building trading strategies.