MQL4 and MQL5 Programming Articles
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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Forecasting Time Series (Part 2): Least-Square Support-Vector Machine (LS-SVM)
This article deals with the theory and practical application of the algorithm for forecasting time series, based on support-vector method. It also proposes its implementation in MQL and provides test indicators and Expert Advisors. This technology has not been implemented in MQL yet. But first, we have to get to know math for it.
Projects assist in creating profitable trading robots! Or at least, so it seems
A big program starts with a small file, which then grows in size as you keep adding more functions and objects. Most robot developers utilize include files to handle this problem. However, there is a better solution: start developing any trading application in a project. There are so many reasons to do so.
Continuous Walk-Forward Optimization (Part 4): Optimization Manager (Auto Optimizer)
The main purpose of the article is to describe the mechanism of working with our application and its capabilities. Thus the article can be treated as an instruction on how to use the application. It covers all possible pitfalls and specifics of the application usage.
Timeseries in DoEasy library (part 36): Object of timeseries for all used symbol periods
In this article, we will consider combining the lists of bar objects for each used symbol period into a single symbol timeseries object. Thus, each symbol will have an object storing the lists of all used symbol timeseries periods.
Forecasting Time Series (Part 1): Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) Method
This article deals with the theory and practical use of the algorithm for forecasting time series, based on the empirical decomposition mode. It proposes the MQL implementation of this method and presents test indicators and Expert Advisors.
Timeseries in DoEasy library (part 35): Bar object and symbol timeseries list
This article starts a new series about the creation of the DoEasy library for easy and fast program development. In the current article, we will implement the library functionality for accessing and working with symbol timeseries data. We are going to create the Bar object storing the main and extended timeseries bar data, and place bar objects to the timeseries list for convenient search and sorting of the objects.
Multicurrency monitoring of trading signals (Part 2): Implementation of the visual part of the application
In the previous article, we created the application framework, which we will use as the basis for all further work. In this part, we will proceed with the development: we will create the visual part of the application and will configure basic interaction of interface elements.
Applying network functions, or MySQL without DLL: Part II - Program for monitoring changes in signal properties
In the previous part, we considered the implementation of the MySQL connector. In this article, we will consider its application by implementing the service for collecting signal properties and the program for viewing their changes over time. The implemented example has practical sense if users need to observe changes in properties that are not displayed on the signal's web page.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXXIV): Pending trading requests - removing and modifying orders and positions under certain conditions
In this article, we will complete the description of the pending request trading concept and create the functionality for removing pending orders, as well as modifying orders and positions under certain conditions. Thus, we are going to have the entire functionality enabling us to develop simple custom strategies, or rather EA behavior logic activated upon user-defined conditions.
Applying network functions, or MySQL without DLL: Part I - Connector
MetaTrader 5 has received network functions recently. This opened up great opportunities for programmers developing products for the Market. Now they can implement things that required dynamic libraries before. In this article, we will consider them using the implementation of the MySQL as an example.
How to create 3D graphics using DirectX in MetaTrader 5
3D graphics provide excellent means for analyzing huge amounts of data as they enable the visualization of hidden patterns. These tasks can be solved directly in MQL5, while DireсtX functions allow creating three-dimensional object. Thus, it is even possible to create programs of any complexity, even 3D games for MetaTrader 5. Start learning 3D graphics by drawing simple three-dimensional shapes.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXXIII): Pending trading requests - closing positions under certain conditions
We continue the development of the library functionality featuring trading using pending requests. We have already implemented sending conditional trading requests for opening positions and placing pending orders. In the current article, we will implement conditional position closure – full, partial and closing by an opposite position.
Applying OLAP in trading (part 3): Analyzing quotes for the development of trading strategies
In this article we will continue dealing with the OLAP technology applied to trading. We will expand the functionality presented in the first two articles. This time we will consider the operational analysis of quotes. We will put forward and test the hypotheses on trading strategies based on aggregated historical data. The article presents Expert Advisors for studying bar patterns and adaptive trading.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXXII): Pending trading requests - placing orders under certain conditions
We continue the development of the functionality allowing users to trade using pending requests. In this article, we are going to implement the ability to place pending orders under certain conditions.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXXI): Pending trading requests - opening positions under certain conditions
Starting with this article, we are going to develop a functionality allowing users to trade using pending requests under certain conditions, for example, when reaching a certain time limit, exceeding a specified profit or closing a position by stop loss.
Multicurrency monitoring of trading signals (Part 1): Developing the application structure
In this article, we will discuss the idea of creating a multicurrency monitor of trading signals and will develop a future application structure along with its prototype, as well as create its framework for further operation. The article presents a step-by-step creation of a flexible multicurrency application which will enable the generation of trading signals and which will assist traders in finding the desired signals.
Econometric approach to finding market patterns: Autocorrelation, Heat Maps and Scatter Plots
The article presents an extended study of seasonal characteristics: autocorrelation heat maps and scatter plots. The purpose of the article is to show that "market memory" is of seasonal nature, which is expressed through maximized correlation of increments of arbitrary order.
Continuous Walk-Forward Optimization (Part 3): Adapting a Robot to Auto Optimizer
The third part serves as a bridge between the previous two parts: it describes the mechanism of interaction with the DLL considered in the first article and the objects for report downloading, which were described in the second article. We will analyze the process of wrapper creation for a class which is imported from DLL and which forms an XML file with the trading history. We will also consider a method for interacting with this wrapper.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXX): Pending trading requests - managing request objects
In the previous article, we have created the classes of pending request objects corresponding to the general concept of library objects. This time, we are going to deal with the class allowing the management of pending request objects.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXIX): Pending trading requests - request object classes
In the previous articles, we checked the concept of pending trading requests. A pending request is, in fact, a common trading order executed by a certain condition. In this article, we are going to create full-fledged classes of pending request objects — a base request object and its descendants.
Neural Networks Made Easy
Artificial intelligence is often associated with something fantastically complex and incomprehensible. At the same time, artificial intelligence is increasingly mentioned in everyday life. News about achievements related to the use of neural networks often appear in different media. The purpose of this article is to show that anyone can easily create a neural network and use the AI achievements in trading.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXVIII): Closure, removal and modification of pending trading requests
This is the third article about the concept of pending requests. We are going to complete the tests of pending trading requests by creating the methods for closing positions, removing pending orders and modifying position and pending order parameters.
SQLite: Native handling of SQL databases in MQL5
The development of trading strategies is associated with handling large amounts of data. Now, you are able to work with databases using SQL queries based on SQLite directly in MQL5. An important feature of this engine is that the entire database is placed in a single file located on a user's PC.
Continuous Walk-Forward Optimization (Part 2): Mechanism for creating an optimization report for any robot
The first article within the Walk-Through Optimization series described the creation of a DLL to be used in our auto optimizer. This continuation is entirely devoted to the MQL5 language.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXVII): Working with trading requests - placing pending orders
In this article, we will continue the development of trading requests, implement placing pending orders and eliminate detected shortcomings of the trading class operation.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXVI): Working with pending trading requests - first implementation (opening positions)
In this article, we are going to store some data in the value of the orders and positions magic number and start the implementation of pending requests. To check the concept, let's create the first test pending request for opening market positions when receiving a server error requiring waiting and sending a repeated request.
Exploring Seasonal Patterns of Financial Time Series with Boxplot
In this article we will view seasonal characteristics of financial time series using Boxplot diagrams. Each separate boxplot (or box-and-whiskey diagram) provides a good visualization of how values are distributed along the dataset. Boxplots should not be confused with the candlestick charts, although they can be visually similar.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXV): Handling errors returned by the trade server
After we send a trading order to the server, we need to check the error codes or the absence of errors. In this article, we will consider handling errors returned by the trade server and prepare for creating pending trading requests.
Extending Strategy Builder Functionality
In the previous two articles, we discussed the application of Merrill patterns to various data types. An application was developed to test the presented ideas. In this article, we will continue working with the Strategy Builder, to improve its efficiency and to implement new features and capabilities.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXIV): Base trading class - auto correction of invalid parameters
In this article, we will have a look at the handler of invalid trading order parameters and improve the trading event class. Now all trading events (both single ones and the ones occurred simultaneously within one tick) will be defined in programs correctly.
Continuous Walk-Forward Optimization (Part 1): Working with Optimization Reports
The first article is devoted to the creation of a toolkit for working with optimization reports, for importing them from the terminal, as well as for filtering and sorting the obtained data. MetaTrader 5 allows downloading optimization results, however our purpose is to add our own data to the optimization report.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXIII): Base trading class - verification of valid parameters
In the article, we continue the development of the trading class by implementing the control over incorrect trading order parameter values and voicing trading events.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXII): Trading classes - Base trading class, verification of limitations
In this article, we will start the development of the library base trading class and add the initial verification of permissions to conduct trading operations to its first version. Besides, we will slightly expand the features and content of the base trading class.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXI): Trading classes - Base cross-platform trading object
In this article, we will start the development of the new library section - trading classes. Besides, we will consider the development of a unified base trading object for MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4 platforms. When sending a request to the server, such a trading object implies that verified and correct trading request parameters are passed to it.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XX): Creating and storing program resources
The article deals with storing data in the program's source code and creating audio and graphical files out of them. When developing an application, we often need audio and images. The MQL language features several methods of using such data.
Building an Expert Advisor using separate modules
When developing indicators, Expert Advisors and scripts, developers often need to create various pieces of code, which are not directly related to the trading strategy. In this article, we consider a way to create Expert Advisors using earlier created blocks, such as trailing, filtering and scheduling code, among others. We will see the benefits of this programming approach.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XIX): Class of library messages
In this article, we will consider the class of displaying text messages. Currently, we have a sufficient number of different text messages. It is time to re-arrange the methods of their storage, display and translation of Russian or English messages to other languages. Besides, it would be good to introduce convenient ways of adding new languages to the library and quickly switching between them.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XVIII): Interactivity of account and any other library objects
The article arranges the work of an account object on a new base object of all library objects, improves the CBaseObj base object and tests setting tracked parameters, as well as receiving events for any library objects.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XVII): Interactivity of library objects
In this article, we are going to finish the development of the base object of all library objects, so that any library object based on it is able to interact with a user. For example, users will be able to set the maximum acceptable size of a spread for opening a position and a price level, upon reaching which an event from a symbol object is sent to the program with the spread or price level-based signal.
Strategy builder based on Merrill patterns
In the previous article, we considered application of Merrill patterns to various data, such as to a price value on a currency symbol chart and values of standard MetaTrader 5 indicators: ATR, WPR, CCI, RSI, among others. Now, let us try to create a strategy construction set based on Merrill patterns.