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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Analyzing Candlestick Patterns
Analyzing Candlestick Patterns

Analyzing Candlestick Patterns

Construction of Japanese candlestick chart and analysis of candlestick patterns constitute an amazing area of technical analysis. The advantage of candlesticks is that they represent data in such a manner that you can track the dynamics inside the data. In this article we analyze candlestick types, classification of candlestick patterns and present an indicator that can determine candlestick patterns.
Controlling the Slope of Balance Curve During Work of an Expert Advisor
Controlling the Slope of Balance Curve During Work of an Expert Advisor

Controlling the Slope of Balance Curve During Work of an Expert Advisor

Finding rules for a trade system and programming them in an Expert Advisor is a half of the job. Somehow, you need to correct the operation of the Expert Advisor as it accumulates the results of trading. This article describes one of approaches, which allows improving performance of an Expert Advisor through creation of a feedback that measures slope of the balance curve.
Contest of Expert Advisors inside an Expert Advisor
Contest of Expert Advisors inside an Expert Advisor

Contest of Expert Advisors inside an Expert Advisor

Using virtual trading, you can create an adaptive Expert Advisor, which will turn on and off trades at the real market. Combine several strategies in a single Expert Advisor! Your multisystem Expert Advisor will automatically choose a trade strategy, which is the best to trade with at the real market, on the basis of profitability of virtual trades. This kind of approach allows decreasing drawdown and increasing profitability of your work at the market. Experiment and share your results with others! I think many people will be interested to know about your portfolio of strategies.
Adaptive Trading Systems and Their Use in the MetaTrader 5 Client Terminal
Adaptive Trading Systems and Their Use in the MetaTrader 5 Client Terminal

Adaptive Trading Systems and Their Use in the MetaTrader 5 Client Terminal

This article suggests a variant of an adaptive system that consists of many strategies, each of which performs its own "virtual" trade operations. Real trading is performed in accordance with the signals of a most profitable strategy at the moment. Thanks to using of the object-oriented approach, classes for working with data and trade classes of the Standard library, the architecture of the system appeared to be simple and scalable; now you can easily create and analyze the adaptive systems that include hundreds of trade strategies.
Using the TesterWithdrawal() Function for Modeling the Withdrawals of Profit
Using the TesterWithdrawal() Function for Modeling the Withdrawals of Profit

Using the TesterWithdrawal() Function for Modeling the Withdrawals of Profit

This article describes the usage of the TesterWithDrawal() function for estimating risks in trade systems which imply the withdrawing of a certain part of assets during their operation. In addition, it describes the effect of this function on the algorithm of calculation of the drawdown of equity in the strategy tester. This function is useful when optimizing parameter of your Expert Advisors.
How to Quickly Create an Expert Advisor for Automated Trading Championship 2010
How to Quickly Create an Expert Advisor for Automated Trading Championship 2010

How to Quickly Create an Expert Advisor for Automated Trading Championship 2010

In order to develop an expert to participate in Automated Trading Championship 2010, let's use a template of ready expert advisor. Even novice MQL5 programmer will be capable of this task, because for your strategies the basic classes, functions, templates are already developed. It's enough to write a minimal amount of code to implement your trading idea.
The Prototype of a Trading Robot
The Prototype of a Trading Robot

The Prototype of a Trading Robot

This article summarizes and systematizes the principles of creating algorithms and elements of trading systems. The article considers designing of expert algorithm. As an example the CExpertAdvisor class is considered, which can be used for quick and easy development of trading systems.
The Optimal Method for Calculation of Total Position Volume by Specified Magic Number
The Optimal Method for Calculation of Total Position Volume by Specified Magic Number

The Optimal Method for Calculation of Total Position Volume by Specified Magic Number

The problem of calculation of the total position volume of the specified symbol and magic number is considered in this article. The proposed method requests only the minimum necessary part of the history of deals, finds the closest time when the total position was equal to zero, and performs the calculations with the recent deals. Working with global variables of the client terminal is also considered.
Writing an Expert Advisor Using the MQL5 Object-Oriented Programming Approach
Writing an Expert Advisor Using the MQL5 Object-Oriented Programming Approach

Writing an Expert Advisor Using the MQL5 Object-Oriented Programming Approach

This article focuses on the object oriented approach to doing what we did in the article "Step-By-Step Guide to writing an Expert Advisor in MQL5 for Beginners" - creating a simple Expert Advisor. Most people think this is difficult, but I want to assure you that by the time you finish reading this article, you will be able to write your own Expert Advisor which is object oriented based.
Creating an Expert Advisor, which Trades on a Number of Instruments
Creating an Expert Advisor, which Trades on a Number of Instruments

Creating an Expert Advisor, which Trades on a Number of Instruments

The concept of diversification of assets on financial markets is quiet old, and has always attracted beginner traders. In this article, the author proposes a maximally simple approach to a construction of a multi-currency Expert Advisor, for an initial introduction to this direction of trading strategies.
Genetic Algorithms - It's Easy!
Genetic Algorithms - It's Easy!

Genetic Algorithms - It's Easy!

In this article the author talks about evolutionary calculations with the use of a personally developed genetic algorithm. He demonstrates the functioning of the algorithm, using examples, and provides practical recommendations for its usage.
An Example of a Trading System Based on a Heiken-Ashi Indicator
An Example of a Trading System Based on a Heiken-Ashi Indicator

An Example of a Trading System Based on a Heiken-Ashi Indicator

In this article we look into the question of using a Heiken-Ashi indicator in trading. Based on this indicator, a simple trading system is considered and an MQL5 Expert Advisor is written. Trading operations are implemented on the bases of classes of the Standard class library. The testing results of the reviewed trading strategy, are based on the history, and obtained using the built-in MetaTrader 5 strategy tester, are provided in the article.
Research of Statistical Recurrences of Candle Directions
Research of Statistical Recurrences of Candle Directions

Research of Statistical Recurrences of Candle Directions

Is it possible to predict the behavior of the market for a short upcoming interval of time, based on the recurring tendencies of candle directions, at specific times throughout the day? That is, If such an occurrence is found in the first place. This question has probably arisen in the mind of every trader. The purpose of this article is to attempt to predict the behavior of the market, based on the statistical recurrences of candle directions during specific intervals of time.
Step-By-Step Guide to writing an Expert Advisor in MQL5 for Beginners
Step-By-Step Guide to writing an Expert Advisor in MQL5 for Beginners

Step-By-Step Guide to writing an Expert Advisor in MQL5 for Beginners

The Expert Advisors programming in MQL5 is simple, and you can learn it easy. In this step by step guide, you will see the basic steps required in writing a simple Expert Advisor based on a developed trading strategy. The structure of an Expert Advisor, the use of built-in technical indicators and trading functions, the details of the Debug mode and use of the Strategy Tester are presented.
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.
The Magic of Filtration
The Magic of Filtration

The Magic of Filtration

Most of the automated trading systems developers use some form of trading signals filtration. In this article, we explore the creation and implementation of bandpass and discrete filters for Expert Advisors, to improve the characteristics of the automated trading system.
Checking the Myth: The Whole Day Trading Depends on How the Asian Session Is Traded
Checking the Myth: The Whole Day Trading Depends on How the Asian Session Is Traded

Checking the Myth: The Whole Day Trading Depends on How the Asian Session Is Traded

In this article we will check the well-known statement that "The whole day trading depends on how the Asian session is traded".
Using Neural Networks In MetaTrader
Using Neural Networks In MetaTrader

Using Neural Networks In MetaTrader

This article shows you how to easily use Neural Networks in your MQL4 code taking advantage of best freely available artificial neural network library (FANN) employing multiple neural networks in your code.
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Strategies and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part VI)
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Strategies and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part VI)

Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Strategies and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part VI)

In this article, the author proposes the way of improving trading systems presented in his previous articles. The article is of interest for traders already having experiences in writing Expert Advisors.
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part VII)
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part VII)

Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part VII)

In this article, the author gives an example Expert Advisor meeting the requirements stated in the Rules of the Automated Trading Championship 2008
What about Hedging Daily?
What about Hedging Daily?

What about Hedging Daily?

A trading strategy using hedging system created for trading the intra-day style of GBPJPY / EURJPY and for daily trading.
Layman's Notes: ZigZag…
Layman's Notes: ZigZag…

Layman's Notes: ZigZag…

Surely, a fey thought to trade closely to extremums visited every apprentice trader when he/she saw "enigmatic" polyline for the first time. It's so simple, indeed. Here is the maximum. And there is the minimum. A beautiful picture on the history. And what is in practice? A ray is drawn. It should seem, that is it, the peak! It is time to sell. And now we go down. But hell no! The price is treacherously moving upwards. Haw! It's a trifle, not an indicator. And you throw it out!
Automated Trading Championship: The Reverse of the Medal
Automated Trading Championship: The Reverse of the Medal

Automated Trading Championship: The Reverse of the Medal

Automated Trading Championship based on online trading platform MetaTrader 4 is being conducted for the third time and accepted by many people as a matter-of-course yearly event being waited for with impatience. However, this competition specifies strict requirements to the Participants. This is precisely the topic we're going to discuss in this article.
How to Become a Participant of Automated Trading Championship 2008?
How to Become a Participant of Automated Trading Championship 2008?

How to Become a Participant of Automated Trading Championship 2008?

The main purpose of the Championship is to popularize automated trading and accumulate practical information in this field of knowledge. As the Organizer of the Championship, we are doing our best to provide a fair competition and suppress all attempts to “play booty”. It is this reasoning that sets the strict Rules of the Championship.
Show Must Go On, or Once Again about ZigZag
Show Must Go On, or Once Again about ZigZag

Show Must Go On, or Once Again about ZigZag

About an obvious but still substandard method of ZigZag composition, and what it results in: the Multiframe Fractal ZigZag indicator that represents ZigZags built on three larger ons, on a single working timeframe (TF). In their turn, those larger TFs may be non-standard, too, and range from M5 to MN1.
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part  V)
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part  V)

Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part V)

In this article the author offers ways to improve trading systems described in his previous articles. The article will be interesting for traders that already have some experience of writing Expert Advisors.
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part IV)
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part IV)

Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part IV)

In this article the author continues to analyze implementation algorithms of simplest trading systems and introduces recording of optimization results in backtesting into one html file in the form of a table. The article will be useful for beginning traders and EA writers.
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part III)
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part III)

Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part III)

In this article the author continues to analyze implementation algorithms of simplest trading systems and introduces backtesting automation. The article will be useful for beginning traders and EA writers.
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part II)
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part II)

Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part II)

In this article the author continues to analyze implementation algorithms of simplest trading systems and describes some relevant details of using optimization results. The article will be useful for beginning traders and EA writers.
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization

Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization

This article dwells on implementation algorithm of simplest trading systems. The article will be useful for beginning traders and EA writers.
Using MetaTrader 4 for a Time Based Pattern Analysis
Using MetaTrader 4 for a Time Based Pattern Analysis

Using MetaTrader 4 for a Time Based Pattern Analysis

Time based pattern analysis can be used in the currency market to determine a better time to enter a trade or time in which trading should be avoided at all. Here we use MetaTrader 4 to analyze history market data and produce optimization results that can be useful for application in mechanical trading systems.
Indicator Taichi - a Simple Idea of Formalizing the Values of Ichimoku Kinko Hyo
Indicator Taichi - a Simple Idea of Formalizing the Values of Ichimoku Kinko Hyo

Indicator Taichi - a Simple Idea of Formalizing the Values of Ichimoku Kinko Hyo

Hard to interpret Ichimoku signals? This article introduces some principles of formalizing values and signals of Ichimoku Kinko Hyo. For visualization of its usage the author chose the currency pair EURUSD based on his own preferences. However, the indicator can be used on any currency pair.
Object Approach in MQL
Object Approach in MQL

Object Approach in MQL

This article will be interesting first of all for programmers both beginners and professionals working in MQL environment. Also it would be useful if this article were read by MQL environment developers and ideologists, because questions that are analyzed here may become projects for future implementation of MetaTrader and MQL.
How to Make the Detection and Recovery of Errors in an Expert Advisor Code Easier
How to Make the Detection and Recovery of Errors in an Expert Advisor Code Easier

How to Make the Detection and Recovery of Errors in an Expert Advisor Code Easier

In Export Advisors development, the questions of code errors detection and recovery are very important. The peculiarity is that a not detected in time error may ruin a precious idea of a trading system already on the stage of its first testings. That is why any sensible EA developer takes into account such problems from the very beginning. This article dwells on some approaches, helping in this difficult matter.
Trading Using Linux
Trading Using Linux

Trading Using Linux

The article describes how to use indicators to watch the situation on financial markets online.
Filtering by History
Filtering by History

Filtering by History

The article describes the usage of virtual trading as an integral part of trade opening filter.
Universal Expert Advisor Template
Universal Expert Advisor Template

Universal Expert Advisor Template

The article will help newbies in trading to create flexibly adjustable Expert Advisors.
Creation of an Automated Trading System
Creation of an Automated Trading System

Creation of an Automated Trading System

You must admit that it sounds alluringly - you become a fortunate possessor of a program that can develop for you a profitable automated trading system (ATC) within a few minutes. All you need is to enter desirable inputs and press Enter. And - here you are, take your ATC tested and having positive expected payoff. Where thousands of people spend thousands of hours on developing that very unique ATC, which will "wine and dine", these statements soundб to put it mildly, very hollow. On the one hand, this really looks a little larger than life... However, to my mind, this problem can be solved.
How to Cut an EA Code for an Easier Life and Fewer Errors
How to Cut an EA Code for an Easier Life and Fewer Errors

How to Cut an EA Code for an Easier Life and Fewer Errors

A simple concept described in the article allows those developing automated trading systems in MQL4 to simplify existing trading systems, as well as reduce time needed for development of new systems due to shorter codes.
Non-standard Automated Trading
Non-standard Automated Trading

Non-standard Automated Trading

Successful and comfortable trading using MT4 platform without detailed market analysis - is it possible? Can such trading be implemented in practice? I suppose, yes. Especially in terms of the automated trading!