From Novice to Expert: The Essential Journey Through MQL5 Trading
Unlock your potential! You're surrounded by opportunities. Discover 3 top secrets to kickstart your MQL5 journey or take it to the next level. Let's dive into discussion of tips and tricks for beginners and pros alike.
Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 6): Automating the selection of an instance group
After optimizing the trading strategy, we receive sets of parameters. We can use them to create several instances of trading strategies combined in one EA. Previously, we did this manually. Here we will try to automate this process.
Developing a Replay System (Part 26): Expert Advisor project — C_Terminal class
We can now start creating an Expert Advisor for use in the replay/simulation system. However, we need something improved, not a random solution. Despite this, we should not be intimidated by the initial complexity. It's important to start somewhere, otherwise we end up ruminating about the difficulty of a task without even trying to overcome it. That's what programming is all about: overcoming obstacles through learning, testing, and extensive research.
Artificial Electric Field Algorithm (AEFA)
The article presents an artificial electric field algorithm (AEFA) inspired by Coulomb's law of electrostatic force. The algorithm simulates electrical phenomena to solve complex optimization problems using charged particles and their interactions. AEFA exhibits unique properties in the context of other algorithms related to laws of nature.
Category Theory in MQL5 (Part 5): Equalizers
Category Theory is a diverse and expanding branch of Mathematics which is only recently getting some coverage in the MQL5 community. These series of articles look to explore and examine some of its concepts & axioms with the overall goal of establishing an open library that provides insight while also hopefully furthering the use of this remarkable field in Traders' strategy development.
Market Simulation (Part 20): First steps with SQL (III)
Although we can perform operations on a database containing about 10 records, the material is absorbed much better when we work with a file that contains more than 15 thousand records. That is, if we tried to create such a database manually, this task would be enormous. However, it is difficult to find such a database, even for educational purposes, that is available for download. But in reality, we don’t need to resort to that — we can use MetaTrader 5 to create a database for ourselves. In today's article, we will look at how to do this.
Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 11): Birth of the SIMULATOR (I)
In order to use the data that forms the bars, we must abandon replay and start developing a simulator. We will use 1 minute bars because they offer the least amount of difficulty.
Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 09): Custom events
Here we'll see how custom events are triggered and how the indicator reports the state of the replay/simulation service.
Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 14): Birth of the SIMULATOR (IV)
In this article we will continue the simulator development stage. this time we will see how to effectively create a RANDOM WALK type movement. This type of movement is very intriguing because it forms the basis of everything that happens in the capital market. In addition, we will begin to understand some concepts that are fundamental to those conducting market analysis.
Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 15): Preparing EA for real trading
As we gradually approach to obtaining a ready-made EA, we need to pay attention to issues that seem secondary at the stage of testing a trading strategy, but become important when moving on to real trading.
Atomic Orbital Search (AOS) algorithm
The article considers the Atomic Orbital Search (AOS) algorithm, which uses the concepts of the atomic orbital model to simulate the search for solutions. The algorithm is based on probability distributions and the dynamics of interactions in the atom. The article discusses in detail the mathematical aspects of AOS, including updating the positions of candidate solutions and the mechanisms of energy absorption and release. AOS opens new horizons for applying quantum principles to computing problems by offering an innovative approach to optimization.
Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 8): Load testing and handling a new bar
As we progressed, we used more and more simultaneously running instances of trading strategies in one EA. Let's try to figure out how many instances we can get to before we hit resource limitations.
Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 16): Impact of different quote histories on test results
The EA under development is expected to show good results when trading with different brokers. But for now we have been using quotes from a MetaQuotes demo account to perform tests. Let's see if our EA is ready to work on a trading account with different quotes compared to those used during testing and optimization.
Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 10): Using only real data for Replay
Here we will look at how we can use more reliable data (traded ticks) in the replay system without worrying about whether it is adjusted or not.
Quantitative approach to risk management: Applying VaR model to optimize multi-currency portfolio using Python and MetaTrader 5
This article explores the potential of the Value at Risk (VaR) model for multi-currency portfolio optimization. Using the power of Python and the functionality of MetaTrader 5, we demonstrate how to implement VaR analysis for efficient capital allocation and position management. From theoretical foundations to practical implementation, the article covers all aspects of applying one of the most robust risk calculation systems – VaR – in algorithmic trading.
From "Best Pass" to Robust Solutions: Exploring the Optimization Surface in MetaTrader 5
The article examines an engineering approach to optimizing an Expert Advisor in MetaTrader 5: from collecting custom metrics through Optimization Frames to parameter surface analysis. A simple event-driven EMA/RSI model demonstrates CSV export, smoothing, and local stability assessment in Python. The goal is to find stable areas of configurations and validate them with forward optimization for reliable implementation.
Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 08): Locking the indicator
In this article, we will look at how to lock the indicator while simply using the MQL5 language, and we will do it in a very interesting and amazing way.
Population optimization algorithms: Differential Evolution (DE)
In this article, we will consider the algorithm that demonstrates the most controversial results of all those discussed previously - the differential evolution (DE) algorithm.
Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 20): Putting in order the conveyor of automatic project optimization stages (I)
We have already created quite a few components that help arrange auto optimization. During the creation, we followed the traditional cyclical structure: from creating minimal working code to refactoring and obtaining improved code. It is time to start clearing up our database, which is also a key component in the system we are creating.
Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 18): Automating group selection considering forward period
Let's continue to automate the steps we previously performed manually. This time we will return to the automation of the second stage, that is, the selection of the optimal group of single instances of trading strategies, supplementing it with the ability to take into account the results of instances in the forward period.
Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 13): Birth of the SIMULATOR (III)
Here we will simplify a few elements related to the work in the next article. I'll also explain how you can visualize what the simulator generates in terms of randomness.
From Novice to Expert: Extending a Liquidity Strategy with Trend Filters
The article extends a liquidity-based strategy with a simple trend constraint: trade liquidity zones only in the direction of the EMA(50). It explains filtering rules, presents a reusable TrendFilter.mqh class and EA integration in MQL5, and compares baseline versus filtered tests. Readers gain a clear directional bias, reduced overtrading in countertrend phases, and ready-to-use source files.
Developing a Replay System (Part 42): Chart Trade Project (I)
Let's create something more interesting. I don't want to spoil the surprise, so follow the article for a better understanding. From the very beginning of this series on developing the replay/simulator system, I was saying that the idea is to use the MetaTrader 5 platform in the same way both in the system we are developing and in the real market. It is important that this is done properly. No one wants to train and learn to fight using one tool while having to use another one during the fight.
Category Theory in MQL5 (Part 4): Spans, Experiments, and Compositions
Category Theory is a diverse and expanding branch of Mathematics which as of yet is relatively uncovered in the MQL5 community. These series of articles look to introduce and examine some of its concepts with the overall goal of establishing an open library that provides insight while hopefully furthering the use of this remarkable field in Traders' strategy development.
Developing a Replay System (Part 73): An Unusual Communication (II)
In this article, we will look at how to transmit information in real time between the indicator and the service, and also understand why problems may arise when changing the timeframe and how to solve them. As a bonus, you will get access to the latest version of the replay /simulation app.
Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 24): FOREX (V)
Today we will remove a limitation that has been preventing simulations based on the Last price and will introduce a new entry point specifically for this type of simulation. The entire operating mechanism will be based on the principles of the forex market. The main difference in this procedure is the separation of Bid and Last simulations. However, it is important to note that the methodology used to randomize the time and adjust it to be compatible with the C_Replay class remains identical in both simulations. This is good because changes in one mode lead to automatic improvements in the other, especially when it comes to handling time between ticks.
Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 24): Adding a new strategy (I)
In this article, we will look at how to connect a new strategy to the auto optimization system we have created. Let's see what kind of EAs we need to create and whether it will be possible to do without changing the EA library files or minimize the necessary changes.
Stress Testing Trade Sequences with Monte Carlo in MQL5
A backtest shows only one path among many possible outcomes. This MQL5 script performs 1000 bootstrap Monte Carlo resamples of a trade P&L series, draws a percentile fan chart on the chart via CCanvas, and reports probability of ruin, value at risk, and 95th‑percentile worst drawdown. The result is a practical view of path risk and drawdown exposure beyond a single equity curve.
Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 23): FOREX (IV)
Now the creation occurs at the same point where we converted ticks into bars. This way, if something goes wrong during the conversion process, we will immediately notice the error. This is because the same code that places 1-minute bars on the chart during fast forwarding is also used for the positioning system to place bars during normal performance. In other words, the code that is responsible for this task is not duplicated anywhere else. This way we get a much better system for both maintenance and improvement.
Population optimization algorithms: Mind Evolutionary Computation (MEC) algorithm
The article considers the algorithm of the MEC family called the simple mind evolutionary computation algorithm (Simple MEC, SMEC). The algorithm is distinguished by the beauty of its idea and ease of implementation.
Developing a Replay System (Part 70): Getting the Time Right (III)
In this article, we will look at how to use the CustomBookAdd function correctly and effectively. Despite its apparent simplicity, it has many nuances. For example, it allows you to tell the mouse indicator whether a custom symbol is on auction, being traded, or the market is closed. 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.
Implementing Practical Modules from Other Languages in MQL5 (Part 03): Schedule Module from Python, the OnTimer Event on Steroids
The schedule module in Python offers a simple way to schedule repeated tasks. While MQL5 lacks a built-in equivalent, in this article we’ll implement a similar library to make it easier to set up timed events in MetaTrader 5.
Market Simulation (Part 01): Cross Orders (I)
Today we will begin the second stage, where we will look at the market replay/simulation system. First, we will show a possible solution for cross orders. I will show you the solution, but it is not final yet. It will be a possible solution to a problem that we will need to solve in the near future.
Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 22): FOREX (III)
Although this is the third article on this topic, I must explain for those who have not yet understood the difference between the stock market and the foreign exchange market: the big difference is that in the Forex there is no, or rather, we are not given information about some points that actually occurred during the course of trading.
Developing a Replay System (Part 37): Paving the Path (I)
In this article, we will finally begin to do what we wanted to do much earlier. However, due to the lack of "solid ground", I did not feel confident to present this part publicly. Now I have the basis to do this. I suggest that you focus as much as possible on understanding the content of this article. I mean not simply reading it. I want to emphasize that if you do not understand this article, you can completely give up hope of understanding the content of the following ones.
Developing a Replay System (Part 51): Things Get Complicated (III)
In this article, we will look into one of the most difficult issues in the field of MQL5 programming: how to correctly obtain a chart ID, and why objects are sometimes not plotted on the chart. The materials presented here are for didactic purposes only. Under no circumstances should the application be viewed for any purpose other than to learn and master the concepts presented.
Developing a Replay System (Part 75): New Chart Trade (II)
In this article, we will talk about the C_ChartFloatingRAD class. This is what makes Chart Trade work. However, the explanation does not end there. We will complete it in the next article, as the content of this article is quite extensive and requires deep understanding. 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.
Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 19): Necessary adjustments
Here we will prepare the ground so that if we need to add new functions to the code, this will happen smoothly and easily. The current code cannot yet cover or handle some of the things that will be necessary to make meaningful progress. We need everything to be structured in order to enable the implementation of certain things with the minimal effort. If we do everything correctly, we can get a truly universal system that can very easily adapt to any situation that needs to be handled.
Developing a Replay System (Part 54): The Birth of the First Module
In this article, we will look at how to put together the first of a number of truly functional modules for use in the replay/simulator system that will also be of general purpose to serve other purposes. We are talking about the mouse module.
Blood inheritance optimization (BIO)
I present to you my new population optimization algorithm - Blood Inheritance Optimization (BIO), inspired by the human blood group inheritance system. In this algorithm, each solution has its own "blood type" that determines the way it evolves. Just as in nature where a child's blood type is inherited according to specific rules, in BIO new solutions acquire their characteristics through a system of inheritance and mutations.