Articles on trading system automation in MQL5

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Read articles on the trading systems with a wide variety of ideas at the core. Learn how to use statistical methods and patterns on candlestick charts, how to filter signals and where to use semaphore indicators.

The MQL5 Wizard will help you create robots without programming to quickly check your trading ideas. Use the Wizard to learn about genetic algorithms.

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Beyond the Clock (Part 1): Building Activity and Imbalance Bars in Python and MQL5

Beyond the Clock (Part 1): Building Activity and Imbalance Bars in Python and MQL5

The article replaces clock-based sampling with López de Prado's alternative bar types and provides two aligned implementations: a unified Python module for batch tick histories and an object‑oriented MQL5 library for live EAs. It covers Parquet/Dask infrastructure, data cleaning, and a single API. Practical issues are solved explicitly: zero‑tick time‑bar filtering, imbalance threshold initialization, EWM state persistence, and parity between Python and MQL5 outputs.
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Market Microstructure in MQL5 (Part 1): Robust Foundation

Market Microstructure in MQL5 (Part 1): Robust Foundation

This article builds the foundation layer of a twelve-part MQL5 market microstructure toolkit. It implements guarded math helpers (SafeDivide, SafeLog, SafeSqrt, SafeExp, SafeTanh), robust data validation (ValidateSymbolV2, SafeCopyClose), trimmed statistical estimators (robust mean var), a linear regression slope, shared structs, and an FFT. You compile a single include file that hardens indicators and expert advisors against silent numerical failures and standardizes data flow for later parts.
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Feature Engineering for ML (Part 4): Implementing Time Features in MQL5

Feature Engineering for ML (Part 4): Implementing Time Features in MQL5

Applying Python session boundaries to MQL5 broker timestamps misclassifies session membership by two to three hours on any non-UTC broker, corrupting session flags across the full backtest history. We implement CTimeFeatures.mqh, containing CRingBuffer and CTimeFeatures, with three EA-facing methods: Initialize (UTC offset capture and frequency gate configuration), Update (log return push to session-conditional ring buffers), and Calculate (cyclical encoding, session flags, and session volatility). The output is a flat double array drop-compatible with Python's get_time_features for sub-hourly, hourly, and daily timeframes.
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A Generic Object Pool in MQL5: Eliminating Heap Fragmentation in High-Frequency Indicators

A Generic Object Pool in MQL5: Eliminating Heap Fragmentation in High-Frequency Indicators

High-frequency MQL5 indicators that instantiate objects on every tick accumulate allocation overhead and timing jitter in OnCalculate(). This article constructs a generic templated object pool using a free-list index array, delivering O(1) Acquire() and Release() operations. The design includes double-release protection, strict separation of payload state from pool metadata in Reset(), and a fixed-capacity free list with no heap fallback. A dual-path custom indicator benchmark measures per-tick overhead difference using GetMicrosecondCount().
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Self Optimizing Expert Advisors in MQL5 (Part 14): Viewing Data Transformations as Tuning Parameters of Our Feedback Controller

Self Optimizing Expert Advisors in MQL5 (Part 14): Viewing Data Transformations as Tuning Parameters of Our Feedback Controller

Preprocessing is a powerful yet quickly overlooked tuning parameter. It lives in the shadows of its bigger brothers: optimizers and shiny model architectures. Small percentage improvements here can have disproportionately large, compounding effects on profitability and risk. Too often, this largely unexplored science is boiled down to a simple routine, seen only as a means to an end, when in reality it is where signal can be directly amplified, or just as easily destroyed.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 10). The Unconventional RBM

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 10). The Unconventional RBM

Restrictive Boltzmann Machines are at the basic level, a two-layer neural network that is proficient at unsupervised classification through dimensionality reduction. We take its basic principles and examine if we were to re-design and train it unorthodoxly, we could get a useful signal filter.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 70): Closed-Form Policy Improvement Operators (CFPI)

Neural networks made easy (Part 70): Closed-Form Policy Improvement Operators (CFPI)

In this article, we will get acquainted with an algorithm that uses closed-form policy improvement operators to optimize Agent actions in offline mode.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 77): Cross-Covariance Transformer (XCiT)

Neural networks made easy (Part 77): Cross-Covariance Transformer (XCiT)

In our models, we often use various attention algorithms. And, probably, most often we use Transformers. Their main disadvantage is the resource requirement. In this article, we will consider a new algorithm that can help reduce computing costs without losing quality.
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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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Overcoming The Limitation of Machine Learning (Part 8): Nonparametric Strategy Selection

Overcoming The Limitation of Machine Learning (Part 8): Nonparametric Strategy Selection

This article shows how to configure a black-box model to automatically uncover strong trading strategies using a data-driven approach. By using Mutual Information to prioritize the most learnable signals, we can build smarter and more adaptive models that outperform conventional methods. Readers will also learn to avoid common pitfalls like overreliance on surface-level metrics, and instead develop strategies rooted in meaningful statistical insight.
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Developing a Replay System (Part 57): Understanding a Test Service

Developing a Replay System (Part 57): Understanding a Test Service

One point to note: although the service code is not included in this article and will only be provided in the next one, I'll explain it since we'll be using that same code as a springboard for what we're actually developing. So, be attentive and patient. Wait for the next article, because every day everything becomes more interesting.
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The MQL5 Standard Library Explorer (Part 12): Multi-Timeframe Composite-Score Dashboard

The MQL5 Standard Library Explorer (Part 12): Multi-Timeframe Composite-Score Dashboard

The article implements CMultiTimeframeMatrix, a reusable dashboard that maps symbols vs. timeframes and displays a numeric, colour‑coded score. The score combines trend, momentum, and volatility, updates by timer, and respects performance constraints. You will learn how to build the UI with CAppDialog/CLabel, compute metrics via CMatrixDouble, and embed the component into a thin EA for a consistent, real-time overview.
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Neural Networks in Trading: Hyperbolic Latent Diffusion Model (HypDiff)

Neural Networks in Trading: Hyperbolic Latent Diffusion Model (HypDiff)

The article considers methods of encoding initial data in hyperbolic latent space through anisotropic diffusion processes. This helps to more accurately preserve the topological characteristics of the current market situation and improves the quality of its analysis.
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Atmosphere Clouds Model Optimization (ACMO): Theory

Atmosphere Clouds Model Optimization (ACMO): Theory

The article is devoted to the metaheuristic Atmosphere Clouds Model Optimization (ACMO) algorithm, which simulates the behavior of clouds to solve optimization problems. The algorithm uses the principles of cloud generation, movement and propagation, adapting to the "weather conditions" in the solution space. The article reveals how the algorithm's meteorological simulation finds optimal solutions in a complex possibility space and describes in detail the stages of ACMO operation, including "sky" preparation, cloud birth, cloud movement, and rain concentration.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 88): Using Blooms Filter with a Custom Trailing Class

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 88): Using Blooms Filter with a Custom Trailing Class

Our next focus in these series on ideas that can be rapidly prototyped with the MQL5 Wizard, is a Custom Trailing class that uses the Blooming Filter. Trailing Stop systems are an optional but very resourceful part to any trading system that we want to explore more in these series besides the traditional Entry Signals.
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MQL5 Trading Toolkit (Part 6): Expanding the History Management EX5 Library with the Last Filled Pending Order Functions

MQL5 Trading Toolkit (Part 6): Expanding the History Management EX5 Library with the Last Filled Pending Order Functions

Learn how to create an EX5 module of exportable functions that seamlessly query and save data for the most recently filled pending order. In this comprehensive step-by-step guide, we will enhance the History Management EX5 library by developing dedicated and compartmentalized functions to retrieve essential properties of the last filled pending order. These properties include the order type, setup time, execution time, filling type, and other critical details necessary for effective pending orders trade history management and analysis.
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MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 25): Expanding to Multiple Distributions with Interactive Switching

MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 25): Expanding to Multiple Distributions with Interactive Switching

In this article, we expand the MQL5 graphing tool to support seventeen statistical distributions with interactive cycling via a header switch icon. We add type-specific data loading, discrete and continuous histogram computation, and theoretical density functions for each model, with dynamic titles, axis labels, and parameter panels that adapt automatically. The result lets you overlay distribution models on the same sample and compare fit across families without reloading the tool.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 69): Density-based support constraint for the behavioral policy (SPOT)

Neural networks made easy (Part 69): Density-based support constraint for the behavioral policy (SPOT)

In offline learning, we use a fixed dataset, which limits the coverage of environmental diversity. During the learning process, our Agent can generate actions beyond this dataset. If there is no feedback from the environment, how can we be sure that the assessments of such actions are correct? Maintaining the Agent's policy within the training dataset becomes an important aspect to ensure the reliability of training. This is what we will talk about in this article.
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Implementing Practical Modules from Other Languages in MQL5 (Part 05): The Logging module from Python, Log Like a Pro

Implementing Practical Modules from Other Languages in MQL5 (Part 05): The Logging module from Python, Log Like a Pro

Integrating Python's logging module with MQL5 empowers traders with a systematic logging approach, simplifying the process of monitoring, debugging, and documenting trading activities. This article explains the adaptation process, offering traders a powerful tool for maintaining clarity and organization in trading software development.
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Developing a Replay System (Part 45): Chart Trade Project (IV)

Developing a Replay System (Part 45): Chart Trade Project (IV)

The main purpose of this article is to introduce and explain the C_ChartFloatingRAD class. We have a Chart Trade indicator that works in a rather interesting way. As you may have noticed, we still have a fairly small number of objects on the chart, and yet we get the expected functionality. The values present in the indicator can be edited. The question is, how is this possible? This article will start to make things clearer.
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Evaluating the Quality of Forex Spread Trading Based on Seasonal Factors in MetaTrader 5

Evaluating the Quality of Forex Spread Trading Based on Seasonal Factors in MetaTrader 5

The article examines the quality of a seasonal trading approach on a daily timeframe, both for individual symbols and for spreads. Particular attention is paid to identifying recurring monthly cycles and the possibilities of their application in trading within the current year.
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MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 27): Rendering Parametric Butterfly Curve on Canvas

MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 27): Rendering Parametric Butterfly Curve on Canvas

In this article, we explore the butterfly curve, a parametric mathematical equation, and render it visually on a MQL5 canvas. We build an interactive display with a draggable, resizable canvas window, supersampled curve rendering, gradient backgrounds, and a color-segmented legend. By the end, we have a fully functional visual tool that plots the butterfly curve directly on the MetaTrader 5 chart.
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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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Data Science and ML (Part 48): Are Transformers a Big Deal for Trading?

Data Science and ML (Part 48): Are Transformers a Big Deal for Trading?

From ChatGPT to Gemini and many model AI tools for text, image, and video generation. Transformers have rocked the AI-world. But, are they applicable in the financial (trading) space? Let's find out.
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Markets Positioning Codex in MQL5 (Part 2):  Bitwise Learning, with Multi-Patterns for Nvidia

Markets Positioning Codex in MQL5 (Part 2): Bitwise Learning, with Multi-Patterns for Nvidia

We continue our new series on Market-Positioning, where we study particular assets, with specific trade directions over manageable test windows. We started this by considering Nvidia Corp stock in the last article, where we covered 5 signal patterns from the complimentary pairing of the RSI and DeMarker oscillators. For this article, we cover the remaining 5 patterns and also delve into multi-pattern options that not only feature untethered combinations of all ten, but also specialized combinations of just a pair.
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Developing a Replay System (Part 55): Control Module

Developing a Replay System (Part 55): Control Module

In this article, we will implement a control indicator so that it can be integrated into the message system we are developing. Although it is not very difficult, there are some details that need to be understood about the initialization of this module. The material presented here is for educational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as an application for any purpose other than learning and mastering the concepts shown.
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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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Graph Theory: Traversal Breadth-First Search (BFS) Applied in Trading

Graph Theory: Traversal Breadth-First Search (BFS) Applied in Trading

Breadth First Search (BFS) uses level-order traversal to model market structure as a directed graph of price swings evolving through time. By analyzing historical bars or sessions layer by layer, BFS prioritizes recent price behavior while still respecting deeper market memory.
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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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Developing a Replay System (Part 39): Paving the Path (III)

Developing a Replay System (Part 39): Paving the Path (III)

Before we proceed to the second stage of development, we need to revise some ideas. Do you know how to make MQL5 do what you need? Have you ever tried to go beyond what is contained in the documentation? If not, then get ready. Because we will be doing something that most people don't normally do.
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MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 18): Rounded Speech Bubbles/Balloons with Orientation Control

MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 18): Rounded Speech Bubbles/Balloons with Orientation Control

This article shows how to build rounded speech bubbles in MQL5 by combining a rounded rectangle with a pointer triangle and controlling orientation (up, down, left, right). It details geometry precomputation, supersampled filling, rounded apex arcs, and segmented borders with an extension ratio for seamless joins. Readers get configurable code for size, radii, colors, opacity, and thickness, ready for alerts or tooltips in trading interfaces.
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Developing a Replay System (Part 41): Starting the second phase (II)

Developing a Replay System (Part 41): Starting the second phase (II)

If everything seemed right to you up to this point, it means you're not really thinking about the long term, when you start developing applications. Over time you will no longer need to program new applications, you will just have to make them work together. So let's see how to finish assembling the mouse indicator.
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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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Developing a Replay System (Part 34): Order System (III)

Developing a Replay System (Part 34): Order System (III)

In this article, we will complete the first phase of construction. Although this part is fairly quick to complete, I will cover details that were not discussed previously. I will explain some points that many do not understand. Do you know why you have to press the Shift or Ctrl key?
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Price-Driven CGI Model: Advanced Data Post-Processing and Implementation

Price-Driven CGI Model: Advanced Data Post-Processing and Implementation

In this article, we will explore the development of a fully customizable Price Data export script using MQL5, marking new advancements in the simulation of the Price Man CGI Model. We have implemented advanced refinement techniques to ensure that the data is user-friendly and optimized for animation purposes. Additionally, we will uncover the capabilities of Blender 3D in effectively working with and visualizing price data, demonstrating its potential for creating dynamic and engaging animations.
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MQL5 Trading Toolkit (Part 7): Expanding the History Management EX5 Library with the Last Canceled Pending Order Functions

MQL5 Trading Toolkit (Part 7): Expanding the History Management EX5 Library with the Last Canceled Pending Order Functions

Learn how to complete the creation of the final module in the History Manager EX5 library, focusing on the functions responsible for handling the most recently canceled pending order. This will provide you with the tools to efficiently retrieve and store key details related to canceled pending orders with MQL5.
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Backtracking Search Algorithm (BSA)

Backtracking Search Algorithm (BSA)

What if an optimization algorithm could remember its past journeys and use that memory to find better solutions? BSA does just that – balancing exploration with revisiting the tried and true. In this article, we reveal the secrets of the algorithm. A simple idea, minimum parameters and a stable result.
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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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Backtracking Search Algorithm (BSA)

Backtracking Search Algorithm (BSA)

What if an optimization algorithm could remember its past journeys and use that memory to find better solutions? BSA does just that – balancing exploration with revisiting the tried and true. In this article, we reveal the secrets of the algorithm. A simple idea, minimum parameters and a stable result.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 90): Fenwick Tree Money Management with 1D CNN in MQL5

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 90): Fenwick Tree Money Management with 1D CNN in MQL5

This article implements a Fenwick Tree (Binary Indexed Tree) for volume-aware money management inside an MQL5 Wizard Expert Advisor. We structure cumulative volume in O(log n) and apply four scaling modes—linear, conservative, aggressive, and mean-reversion—optionally gated by a lightweight 1D CNN. Practical tests compare the algorithm alone versus the CNN‑filtered approach to illustrate adaptive lot sizing and risk control under varying volume topologies.