Articles on manual and algorithmic trading in MetaTrader 5

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This category features articles on all aspects of trading - from manual to fully automatic trading, from Expert Advisor ideas to trading robot creation using the MQL5 Wizard. Position management, processing of trade events and money management - these integral parts of trading are covered in theses articles.

Learn how to copy trading signals and how to provide around-the-clock operation of Expert Advisors, how to create a trading robot and how to run MetaTrader on Linux and MacOS, what social trading is and how to order a trading robot.

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The power of ZigZag (part II). Examples of receiving, processing and displaying data
The power of ZigZag (part II). Examples of receiving, processing and displaying data

The power of ZigZag (part II). Examples of receiving, processing and displaying data

In the first part of the article, I have described a modified ZigZag indicator and a class for receiving data of that type of indicators. Here, I will show how to develop indicators based on these tools and write an EA for tests that features making deals according to signals formed by ZigZag indicator. As an addition, the article will introduce a new version of the EasyAndFast library for developing graphical user interfaces.
Learn how to design a trading system by Envelopes
Learn how to design a trading system by Envelopes

Learn how to design a trading system by Envelopes

In this article, I will share with you one of the methods of how to trade bands. This time we will consider Envelopes and will see how easy it is to create some strategies based on the Envelopes.
Patterns available when trading currency baskets. Part II
Patterns available when trading currency baskets. Part II

Patterns available when trading currency baskets. Part II

We continue our discussion of the patterns traders can come across while trading currency baskets. In this part, we will consider the patterns formed when using combined trend indicators. Indicators based on a currency index are to be used as the analytical tool.
Random Walk and the Trend Indicator
Random Walk and the Trend Indicator

Random Walk and the Trend Indicator

Random Walk looks very similar to the real market data, but it has some significant features. In this article we will consider the properties of Random Walk, simulated using the coin-tossing game. To study the properties of the data, the trendiness indicator is developed.
TradeObjects: Automation of trading based on MetaTrader graphical objects
TradeObjects: Automation of trading based on MetaTrader graphical objects

TradeObjects: Automation of trading based on MetaTrader graphical objects

The article deals with a simple approach to creating an automated trading system based on the chart linear markup and offers a ready-made Expert Advisor using the standard properties of the MetaTrader 4 and 5 objects and supporting the main trading operations.
Quick Manual Trading Toolkit: Basic Functionality
Quick Manual Trading Toolkit: Basic Functionality

Quick Manual Trading Toolkit: Basic Functionality

Today, many traders switch to automated trading systems which can require additional setup or can be fully automated and ready to use. However, there is a considerable part of traders who prefer trading manually, in the old fashioned way. In this article, we will create toolkit for quick manual trading, using hotkeys, and for performing typical trading actions in one click.
Learn how to design a trading system by Stochastic
Learn how to design a trading system by Stochastic

Learn how to design a trading system by Stochastic

In this article, we continue our learning series — this time we will learn how to design a trading system using one of the most popular and useful indicators, which is the Stochastic Oscillator indicator, to build a new block in our knowledge of basics.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 35): Creating a Breaker Block Trading System

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 35): Creating a Breaker Block Trading System

In this article, we create a Breaker Block Trading System in MQL5 that identifies consolidation ranges, detects breakouts, and validates breaker blocks with swing points to trade retests with defined risk parameters. The system visualizes order and breaker blocks with dynamic labels and arrows, supporting automated trading and trailing stops.
Learn how to design a trading system by CCI
Learn how to design a trading system by CCI

Learn how to design a trading system by CCI

In this new article from our series for learning how to design trading systems, I will present the Commodities Channel Index (CCI), explain its specifics, and share with you how to create a trading system based on this indicator.
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OpenAI's ChatGPT features within the framework of MQL4 and MQL5 development

OpenAI's ChatGPT features within the framework of MQL4 and MQL5 development

In this article, we will fiddle around ChatGPT from OpenAI in order to understand its capabilities in terms of reducing the time and labor intensity of developing Expert Advisors, indicators and scripts. I will quickly navigate you through this technology and try to show you how to use it correctly for programming in MQL4 and MQL5.
Quick Manual Trading Toolkit: Working with open positions and pending orders
Quick Manual Trading Toolkit: Working with open positions and pending orders

Quick Manual Trading Toolkit: Working with open positions and pending orders

In this article, we will expand the capabilities of the toolkit: we will add the ability to close trade positions upon specific conditions and will create tables for controlling market and pending orders, with the ability to edit these orders.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 45): Inverse Fair Value Gap (IFVG)

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 45): Inverse Fair Value Gap (IFVG)

In this article, we create an Inverse Fair Value Gap (IFVG) detection system in MQL5 that identifies bullish/bearish FVGs on recent bars with minimum gap size filtering, tracks their states as normal/mitigated/inverted based on price interactions (mitigation on far-side breaks, retracement on re-entry, inversion on close beyond far side from inside), and ignores overlaps while limiting tracked FVGs.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 11): Developing a Multi-Level Grid Trading System

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 11): Developing a Multi-Level Grid Trading System

In this article, we develop a multi-level grid trading system EA using MQL5, focusing on the architecture and algorithm design behind grid trading strategies. We explore the implementation of multi-layered grid logic and risk management techniques to handle varying market conditions. Finally, we provide detailed explanations and practical tips to guide you through building, testing, and refining the automated trading system.
Deep Neural Networks (Part VI). Ensemble of neural network classifiers: bagging
Deep Neural Networks (Part VI). Ensemble of neural network classifiers: bagging

Deep Neural Networks (Part VI). Ensemble of neural network classifiers: bagging

The article discusses the methods for building and training ensembles of neural networks with bagging structure. It also determines the peculiarities of hyperparameter optimization for individual neural network classifiers that make up the ensemble. The quality of the optimized neural network obtained in the previous article of the series is compared with the quality of the created ensemble of neural networks. Possibilities of further improving the quality of the ensemble's classification are considered.
LifeHack for trader: "Quiet" optimization or Plotting trade distributions
LifeHack for trader: "Quiet" optimization or Plotting trade distributions

LifeHack for trader: "Quiet" optimization or Plotting trade distributions

Analysis of the trade history and plotting distribution charts of trading results in HTML depending on position entry time. The charts are displayed in three sections - by hours, by days of the week and by months.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 40): Fibonacci Retracement Trading with Custom Levels

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 40): Fibonacci Retracement Trading with Custom Levels

In this article, we build an MQL5 Expert Advisor for Fibonacci retracement trading, using either daily candle ranges or lookback arrays to calculate custom levels like 50% and 61.8% for entries, determining bullish or bearish setups based on close vs. open. The system triggers buys or sells on price crossings of levels with max trades per level, optional closure on new Fib calcs, points-based trailing stops after a min profit threshold, and SL/TP buffers as percentages of the range.
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Introduction to MQL5 (Part 7): Beginner's Guide to Building Expert Advisors and Utilizing AI-Generated Code in MQL5

Introduction to MQL5 (Part 7): Beginner's Guide to Building Expert Advisors and Utilizing AI-Generated Code in MQL5

Discover the ultimate beginner's guide to building Expert Advisors (EAs) with MQL5 in our comprehensive article. Learn step-by-step how to construct EAs using pseudocode and harness the power of AI-generated code. Whether you're new to algorithmic trading or seeking to enhance your skills, this guide provides a clear path to creating effective EAs.
Indicator for Kagi Charting
Indicator for Kagi Charting

Indicator for Kagi Charting

The article proposes Kagi chart indicator with various charting options and additional functions. Also, indicator charting principle and its MQL5 implementation features are considered. The most popular cases of its implementation in trading are displayed - Yin/Yang exchange strategy, pushing away from the trend line and consistently increasing "shoulders"/decreasing "waists".
An Example of a Trading Strategy Based on Timezone Differences on Different Continents
An Example of a Trading Strategy Based on Timezone Differences on Different Continents

An Example of a Trading Strategy Based on Timezone Differences on Different Continents

Surfing the Internet, it is easy to find many strategies, which will give you a number of various recommendations. Let’s take an insider’s approach and look into the process of strategy creation, based on the differences in timezones on different continents.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 12): Implementing the Mitigation Order Blocks (MOB) Strategy

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 12): Implementing the Mitigation Order Blocks (MOB) Strategy

In this article, we build an MQL5 trading system that automates order block detection for Smart Money trading. We outline the strategy’s rules, implement the logic in MQL5, and integrate risk management for effective trade execution. Finally, we backtest the system to assess its performance and refine it for optimal results.
The Simple Example of Creating an Indicator Using Fuzzy Logic
The Simple Example of Creating an Indicator Using Fuzzy Logic

The Simple Example of Creating an Indicator Using Fuzzy Logic

The article is devoted to the practical application of the fuzzy logic concept for financial markets analysis. We propose the example of the indicator generating signals based on two fuzzy rules based on Envelopes indicator. The developed indicator uses several indicator buffers: 7 buffers for calculations, 5 buffers for the charts display and 2 color buffers.
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Learn how to design a trading system by Fractals

Learn how to design a trading system by Fractals

This article is a new one from our series about how to design a trading system based on the most popular technical indicators. We will learn a new indicator which Fractals indicator and we will learn how to design a trading system based on it to be executed in the MetaTrader 5 terminal.
Applying OLAP in trading (part 1): Online analysis of multidimensional data
Applying OLAP in trading (part 1): Online analysis of multidimensional data

Applying OLAP in trading (part 1): Online analysis of multidimensional data

The article describes how to create a framework for the online analysis of multidimensional data (OLAP), as well as how to implement this in MQL and to apply such analysis in the MetaTrader environment using the example of trading account history processing.
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Learn how to design a trading system by Volumes

Learn how to design a trading system by Volumes

Here is a new article from our series about learning how to design a trading system based on the most popular technical indicators. The current article will be devoted to the Volumes indicator. Volume as a concept is one of the very important factors in financial markets trading and we have to pay attention to it. Through this article, we will learn how to design a simple trading system by Volumes indicator.
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Mastering Market Dynamics: Creating a Support and Resistance Strategy Expert Advisor (EA)

Mastering Market Dynamics: Creating a Support and Resistance Strategy Expert Advisor (EA)

A comprehensive guide to developing an automated trading algorithm based on the Support and Resistance strategy. Detailed information on all aspects of creating an expert advisor in MQL5 and testing it in MetaTrader 5 – from analyzing price range behaviors to risk management.
Self-adapting algorithm (Part III): Abandoning optimization
Self-adapting algorithm (Part III): Abandoning optimization

Self-adapting algorithm (Part III): Abandoning optimization

It is impossible to get a truly stable algorithm if we use optimization based on historical data to select parameters. A stable algorithm should be aware of what parameters are needed when working on any trading instrument at any time. It should not forecast or guess, it should know for sure.
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Larry Williams Market Secrets (Part 2): Automating a Market Structure Trading System

Larry Williams Market Secrets (Part 2): Automating a Market Structure Trading System

Learn how to automate Larry Williams market structure concepts in MQL5 by building a complete Expert Advisor that reads swing points, generates trade signals, manages risk, and applies a dynamic trailing stop strategy.
Learn how to design a trading system by Momentum
Learn how to design a trading system by Momentum

Learn how to design a trading system by Momentum

In my previous article, I mentioned the importance of identifying the trend which is the direction of prices. In this article I will share one of the most important concepts and indicators which is the Momentum indicator. I will share how to design a trading system based on this Momentum indicator.
Grokking market "memory" through differentiation and entropy analysis
Grokking market "memory" through differentiation and entropy analysis

Grokking market "memory" through differentiation and entropy analysis

The scope of use of fractional differentiation is wide enough. For example, a differentiated series is usually input into machine learning algorithms. The problem is that it is necessary to display new data in accordance with the available history, which the machine learning model can recognize. In this article we will consider an original approach to time series differentiation. The article additionally contains an example of a self optimizing trading system based on a received differentiated series.
Reversing: Formalizing the entry point and developing a manual trading algorithm
Reversing: Formalizing the entry point and developing a manual trading algorithm

Reversing: Formalizing the entry point and developing a manual trading algorithm

This is the last article within the series devoted to the Reversing trading strategy. Here we will try to solve the problem, which caused the testing results instability in previous articles. We will also develop and test our own algorithm for manual trading in any market using the reversing strategy.
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Dealing with Time (Part 2): The Functions

Dealing with Time (Part 2): The Functions

Determing the broker offset and GMT automatically. Instead of asking the support of your broker, from whom you will probably receive an insufficient answer (who would be willing to explain a missing hour), we simply look ourselves how they time their prices in the weeks of the time changes — but not cumbersome by hand, we let a program do it — why do we have a PC after all.
Multicurrency monitoring of trading signals (Part 4): Enhancing functionality and improving the signal search system
Multicurrency monitoring of trading signals (Part 4): Enhancing functionality and improving the signal search system

Multicurrency monitoring of trading signals (Part 4): Enhancing functionality and improving the signal search system

In this part, we expand the trading signal searching and editing system, as well as introduce the possibility to use custom indicators and add program localization. We have previously created a basic system for searching signals, but it was based on a small set of indicators and a simple set of search rules.
Creating a trading robot for Moscow Exchange. Where to start?
Creating a trading robot for Moscow Exchange. Where to start?

Creating a trading robot for Moscow Exchange. Where to start?

Many traders on Moscow Exchange would like to automate their trading algorithms, but they do not know where to start. The MQL5 language offers a huge range of trading functions, and it additionally provides ready classes that help users to make their first steps in algo trading.
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Learn how to deal with date and time in MQL5

Learn how to deal with date and time in MQL5

A new article about a new important topic which is dealing with date and time. As traders or programmers of trading tools, it is very crucial to understand how to deal with these two aspects date and time very well and effectively. So, I will share some important information about how we can deal with date and time to create effective trading tools smoothly and simply without any complicity as much as I can.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 36): Supply and Demand Trading with Retest and Impulse Model

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 36): Supply and Demand Trading with Retest and Impulse Model

In this article, we create a supply and demand trading system in MQL5 that identifies supply and demand zones through consolidation ranges, validates them with impulsive moves, and trades retests with trend confirmation and customizable risk parameters. The system visualizes zones with dynamic labels and colors, supporting trailing stops for risk management.
Developing a cross-platform grider EA (part II): Range-based grid in trend direction
Developing a cross-platform grider EA (part II): Range-based grid in trend direction

Developing a cross-platform grider EA (part II): Range-based grid in trend direction

In this article, we will develop a grider EA for trading in a trend direction within a range. Thus, the EA is to be suited mostly for Forex and commodity markets. According to the tests, our grider showed profit since 2018. Unfortunately, this is not true for the period of 2014-2018.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 9): Building an Expert Advisor for the Asian Breakout Strategy

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 9): Building an Expert Advisor for the Asian Breakout Strategy

In this article, we build an Expert Advisor in MQL5 for the Asian Breakout Strategy by calculating the session's high and low and applying trend filtering with a moving average. We implement dynamic object styling, user-defined time inputs, and robust risk management. Finally, we demonstrate backtesting and optimization techniques to refine the program.
Self-adapting algorithm (Part IV): Additional functionality and tests
Self-adapting algorithm (Part IV): Additional functionality and tests

Self-adapting algorithm (Part IV): Additional functionality and tests

I continue filling the algorithm with the minimum necessary functionality and testing the results. The profitability is quite low but the articles demonstrate the model of the fully automated profitable trading on completely different instruments traded on fundamentally different markets.
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Matrices and vectors in MQL5

Matrices and vectors in MQL5

By using special data types 'matrix' and 'vector', it is possible to create code which is very close to mathematical notation. With these methods, you can avoid the need to create nested loops or to mind correct indexing of arrays in calculations. Therefore, the use of matrix and vector methods increases the reliability and speed in developing complex programs.
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Learn how to design a trading system by Alligator

Learn how to design a trading system by Alligator

In this article, we'll complete our series about how to design a trading system based on the most popular technical indicator. We'll learn how to create a trading system based on the Alligator indicator.