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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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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The Group Method of Data Handling: Implementing the Multilayered Iterative Algorithm in MQL5

The Group Method of Data Handling: Implementing the Multilayered Iterative Algorithm in MQL5

In this article we describe the implementation of the Multilayered Iterative Algorithm of the Group Method of Data Handling in MQL5.
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Gaussian Processes in Machine Learning (Part 2): Implementing and Testing a Classification Model in MQL5

Gaussian Processes in Machine Learning (Part 2): Implementing and Testing a Classification Model in MQL5

In this section, we will look at the implementation of the key interfaces of the library of Gaussian processes in MQL5: IKernel, ILikelihood, and IInference. We will also demonstrate its operation on synthetic data and implement indicators for classification and regression, demonstrating its operation in online mode - with retraining of the model on each new bar.
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Neural network trading EA based on PatchTST

Neural network trading EA based on PatchTST

The article presents the revolutionary architecture of PatchTST, a tailored transformer for financial time series analysis that breaks market data into 16-bar patches for efficient processing. We will discuss the full implementation of a trading robot in MQL5 covering everything from mathematical fundamentals and data structures to a ready-made EA with risk management and continuous learning systems.
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OrderSend retries and circuit breaker in MQL5

OrderSend retries and circuit breaker in MQL5

Volatile-market failures such as requotes, connection drops, and partial fills expose a common weakness in EAs: unclassified retries and no cumulative failure control. This article introduces CRetryExecutor with exponential backoff and explicit error classification, plus a three-state CCircuitBreaker with cooldown and half-open probes, unified in CExecutionGateway. You can plug it into an EA to stop futile retries, prevent duplicate submissions, and improve diagnostics.
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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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Neuro-Structural Trading Engine — NSTE (Part II): Jardine's Gate Six-Gate Quantum Filter

Neuro-Structural Trading Engine — NSTE (Part II): Jardine's Gate Six-Gate Quantum Filter

This article introduces Jardine's Gate, a six-gate orthogonal signal filter for MetaTrader 5 that validates LSTM predictions across entropy, expert interference, confidence, regime-adjusted probability, trend direction, and consecutive-loss kill switch dimensions. Out of 43,200 raw signals per month, only 127 pass all six gates. Readers get the complete QuantumEdgeFilter MQL5 class, threshold calibration logic, and gate performance analytics.
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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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Interactive Supply and Demand Zone Manager in MQL5 (Part II): Event-Driven Architecture and Persistent Lifecycle Logging

Interactive Supply and Demand Zone Manager in MQL5 (Part II): Event-Driven Architecture and Persistent Lifecycle Logging

This article advances the stateful supply and demand zone framework for MetaTrader 5 by replacing polling with an event-driven model based on OnChartEvent(). We split synchronization into dedicated handlers for creation, modification, and deletion, and separate market logic in OnTick() from user interactions in OnChartEvent(). A persistent, append-only CSV logger records all lifecycle events, improving responsiveness, state consistency, and recoverable history for downstream analysis.
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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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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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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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Introduction to MQL5 (Part 36): Mastering API and WebRequest Function in MQL5 (X)

Introduction to MQL5 (Part 36): Mastering API and WebRequest Function in MQL5 (X)

This article introduces the basic concepts behind HMAC-SHA256 and API signatures in MQL5, explaining how messages and secret keys are combined to securely authenticate requests. It lays the foundation for signing API calls without exposing sensitive data.
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Analyzing Price Time Gaps in MQL5 (Part II): Creating a Heat Map of Liquidity Distribution Over Time

Analyzing Price Time Gaps in MQL5 (Part II): Creating a Heat Map of Liquidity Distribution Over Time

A detailed guide on how to create a heat map indicator for MetaTrader 5 that visualizes the price distribution over time. The article reveals the mathematical basis of time density analysis, where each price level is colored from red (minimum stay time) to blue (maximum stay time).
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MQL5 Bootstrap (I): Reusable Functions for Working with Positions and Orders

MQL5 Bootstrap (I): Reusable Functions for Working with Positions and Orders

This article presents a compact MQL5 utility layer for routine trade operations. It includes position existence checkers, position counters, bulk close helpers, and functions to retrieve the most recent or oldest position by symbol, magic, or type. A simple SMA crossover Expert Advisor demonstrates integration. The result is cleaner EAs, fewer inconsistencies across projects, and faster maintenance.
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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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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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MetaTrader 5 Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 17): CPCV Backtesting — From Python Model to Tick-Level Evidence

MetaTrader 5 Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 17): CPCV Backtesting — From Python Model to Tick-Level Evidence

We bridge Python-native artifacts to MQL5 for tick-accurate CPCV backtesting. The export script converts the ONNX model, calibrator, feature spec, and path masks to flat files, while the expert advisor rebuilds features, performs ONNX inference with calibration, and trades on real ticks. The Strategy Tester runs each combinatorial path, and Python aggregates per-path equities into a path Sharpe distribution to assess robustness after spread, slippage, and commission.
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Neural Networks in Trading: LSTM Optimization for Multivariate Time Series Forecasting (Final Part)

Neural Networks in Trading: LSTM Optimization for Multivariate Time Series Forecasting (Final Part)

We continue to implement the DA-CG-LSTM framework, which offers innovative methods for time series analysis and forecasting. The use of CG-LSTM and dual attention allows for more accurate detection of both long-term and short-term dependencies in data, which is particularly useful for working with financial markets.
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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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Creating a Probabilistic Market-Neutral Trading Robot Based on a Return Distribution

Creating a Probabilistic Market-Neutral Trading Robot Based on a Return Distribution

A market-neutral trading strategy based on the empirical return distribution offers an alternative to traditional technical analysis methods, replacing price direction forecasting with the statistical placement of orders at levels the price is likely to reach. This article provides a detailed analysis of the mathematical framework for calculating percentiles, algorithms for weighting position sizes based on the probability of an order being triggered, and mechanisms for adapting to changing market conditions through grid expiration. A complete implementation in MQL5 is provided.
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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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Implementing a Breakeven Mechanism in MQL5 (Part 2): ATR- and RRR-Based Breakeven

Implementing a Breakeven Mechanism in MQL5 (Part 2): ATR- and RRR-Based Breakeven

This article completes the implementation of ATR- and RRRR-based breakeven mechanisms in MQL5 and develops, from scratch, a class that makes it easy to switch breakeven modes without having to enter the parameters again. To evaluate the effectiveness of each breakeven type, several backtests are run, analyzing their advantages and disadvantages in the context of algorithmic trading.
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MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 33): Building a Rich Content Markup Documentation System for MQL5 Programs

MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 33): Building a Rich Content Markup Documentation System for MQL5 Programs

We extend the Part 9 setup wizard to build a canvas-based, in-chart documentation system for MetaTrader 5. The panel is tabbed and scrollable, supports inline styling, images, and interactive controls, and renders with supersampled anti-aliasing. The result is a reusable engine that any MQL5 program can embed to deliver self-contained documentation directly on the chart.
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Engineering Trading Discipline into Code (Part 6): Building a Unified Discipline Framework in MQL5

Engineering Trading Discipline into Code (Part 6): Building a Unified Discipline Framework in MQL5

The article introduces a unified MQL5 discipline framework that consolidates the symbol whitelist, trading‑hours and news filters, and daily trade‑limit modules under CDisciplineEngine.mqh. It explains centralized trade validation and state synchronization shared by a chart dashboard and an enforcement Expert Advisor. Readers learn how to authorize orders through a single gate, monitor permissions in real time, and automatically enforce rules across the terminal.
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Unified Multi-Timeframe Renko: Synthesizing the Market's Temporal Dimensions

Unified Multi-Timeframe Renko: Synthesizing the Market's Temporal Dimensions

The article presents an innovative concept for a multi-timeframe Renko chart that combines signals from four timeframes (M5, M15, H1, H4) into a unified synthetic instrument. The system creates a virtual symbol in MetaTrader 5 by using the EMA of each timeframe to generate a composite signal through three methods: simple average, weighted average, and consensus. The implementation includes ATR-based adaptive brick sizing, real-time operation, and full integration with MetaTrader 5.
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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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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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N-BEATS Network-Based Forex EA

N-BEATS Network-Based Forex EA

Implementation of the N-BEATS architecture for Forex trading in MetaTrader 5 with quantile forecasting and adaptive risk management. The architecture is adapted through bilinear normalization and specialized loss functions for financial data. Backtesting on 2025 data shows inability to generate profits, confirming the gap between theoretical achievements and practical trading performance.
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Building a Trade Analytics System (Part 2): How to Capture Closed Trades and Send JSON in MQL5

Building a Trade Analytics System (Part 2): How to Capture Closed Trades and Send JSON in MQL5

We build a lightweight bridge that captures closed trades in MetaTrader 5 and sends them to an external backend over HTTP as JSON. It uses OnTradeTransaction for event detection, reads details from deal history, assembles a JSON payload, and posts it via WebRequest. A local Flask API is used to test the flow, delivering a working path to move trade data outside the terminal.
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Neural Networks in Trading: Actor—Director—Critic

Neural Networks in Trading: Actor—Director—Critic

We invite you to explore the Actor-Director-Critic framework, which combines hierarchical learning and a multi-component architecture for creating adaptive trading strategies. In this article, we take a detailed look at how using the Director to classify the Actor's actions helps to effectively optimize trading decisions and improve the robustness of models in financial market conditions.
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Meta-Labeling the Classics (Part 3): Filtering and Sizing Bollinger Band Trades

Meta-Labeling the Classics (Part 3): Filtering and Sizing Bollinger Band Trades

Bollinger Band mean reversion degrades in trending regimes when ADX is high and bandwidth expands. We separate direction from trade selection with a two‑stage meta‑labeling pipeline: a gradient‑boosted secondary classifier trained with PurgedKFold on band‑specific features (BBP, BBB, bandwidth regime) outputs action probabilities that drive probability‑based bet sizing. The MQL5 implementation loads the ONNX model and applies position sizing within a two‑EA architecture to filter low‑quality band touches.
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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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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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GoertzelBrain: Adaptive Spectral Cycle Detection with Neural Network Ensemble in MQL5

GoertzelBrain: Adaptive Spectral Cycle Detection with Neural Network Ensemble in MQL5

GoertzelBrain combines Goertzel spectral analysis with an online‑trained neural network ensemble to convert cycle features into a directional confirmation signal. The indicator builds a compact feature vector from the dominant period, amplitude, confidence and their dynamics, plus local volatility, and outputs +1, −1 or 0. The article provides the full MQL5 implementation, explains the architecture and feature engineering, and shows how to use it as a directional filter.
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Market Heat Map Indicator Based on Prime-Number Density

Market Heat Map Indicator Based on Prime-Number Density

An innovative indicator based on prime number theory helps identify strong reversal levels that other traders overlook. Testing on 10 assets showed that reversals in mathematically significant zones occur 1.5 to 1.8 times more frequently. Five practical application scenarios with specific rules for filtering out false breakouts and making precise market entries.
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Engineering Trading Discipline into Code (Part 4): Enforcing Trading Hours and News Disabling in MQL5

Engineering Trading Discipline into Code (Part 4): Enforcing Trading Hours and News Disabling in MQL5

An MQL5 control system that blocks orders outside scheduled trading hours and during scheduled news releases, converting time rules into executable restrictions. It combines a permissions management mechanism, a transaction-level expert advisor, and a visual dashboard for real-time status and upcoming restrictions. Configuration is accomplished using editable files, with caching and a CSV audit log for traceability.
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The MQL5 Standard Library Explorer (Part 13): Implementing the Math Solvers Library in Trading

The MQL5 Standard Library Explorer (Part 13): Implementing the Math Solvers Library in Trading

We present a complete workflow for adaptive filtering in MQL5 using the CNlEq Levenberg–Marquardt–like solver. The EA fits a VAMAC model—two EWMAs with an ATR‑based scaling—by supplying residuals and a Jacobian through CNlEq's reverse‑communication loop, with optional numerical or analytical derivatives. Code, setup instructions, and GBPUSD H1 tests show how to replace static thresholds with on‑bar re‑estimation.
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Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (AOA): From AOA to SOA (Simple Optimization Algorithm)

Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (AOA): From AOA to SOA (Simple Optimization Algorithm)

In this article, we present the Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (AOA) based on simple arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. These basic mathematical operations serve as the foundation for finding optimal solutions to various problems.