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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Forex spread trading using seasonality
The article examines the possibilities of generating and providing reporting data on the use of the seasonality factor when trading spreads on Forex.
From Novice to Expert: Animated News Headline Using MQL5 (II)
Today, we take another step forward by integrating an external news API as the source of headlines for our News Headline EA. In this phase, we’ll explore various news sources—both established and emerging—and learn how to access their APIs effectively. We'll also cover methods for parsing the retrieved data into a format optimized for display within our Expert Advisor. Join the discussion as we explore the benefits of accessing news headlines and the economic calendar directly on the chart, all within a compact, non-intrusive interface.
Artificial Algae Algorithm (AAA)
The article considers the Artificial Algae Algorithm (AAA) based on biological processes characteristic of microalgae. The algorithm includes spiral motion, evolutionary process and adaptation, which allows it to solve optimization problems. The article provides an in-depth analysis of the working principles of AAA and its potential in mathematical modeling, highlighting the connection between nature and algorithmic solutions.
Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 5): Volatility Navigator EA
Determining market direction can be straightforward, but knowing when to enter can be challenging. As part of the series titled "Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development", I am excited to introduce another tool that provides entry points, take profit levels, and stop loss placements. To achieve this, we have utilized the MQL5 programming language. Let’s delve into each step in this article.
Trading Options Without Options (Part 2): Use in Real Trading
The article considers simple options strategies and their implementation in MQL5. We will develop a basic EA that will be modernized and become more complex.
Filtering and feature extraction in the frequency domain
In this article we explore the application of digital filters on time series represented in the frequency domain so as to extract unique features that may be useful to prediction models.
Raw Code Optimization and Tweaking for Improving Back-Test Results
Enhance your MQL5 code by optimizing logic, refining calculations, and reducing execution time to improve back-test accuracy. Fine-tune parameters, optimize loops, and eliminate inefficiencies for better performance.
Gain An Edge Over Any Market (Part V): FRED EURUSD Alternative Data
In today’s discussion, we used alternative Daily data from the St. Louis Federal Reserve on the Broad US-Dollar Index and a collection of other macroeconomic indicators to predict the EURUSD future exchange rate. Unfortunately, while the data appears to have almost perfect correlation, we failed to realize any material gains in our model accuracy, possibly suggesting to us that investors may be better off using ordinary market quotes instead.
Triangular arbitrage with predictions
This article simplifies triangular arbitrage, showing you how to use predictions and specialized software to trade currencies smarter, even if you're new to the market. Ready to trade with expertise?
Visual Testing of the Profitability of Indicators and Alerts
What indicator of trading alerts or just the methods of their calculating to use is usually decided when testing EAs using these alerts. However, it is not always possible/necessary/reasonable to write an EA for each indicator. You can promptly calculate the profitability of trading on the alerts from other indicators, using a special indicator that collects their alerts itself and draws a picture of ideal trading with them. It can help you both make a visual estimate of the results obtained and quickly choose most optimal parameters.
Cyclic Parthenogenesis Algorithm (CPA)
The article considers a new population optimization algorithm - Cyclic Parthenogenesis Algorithm (CPA), inspired by the unique reproductive strategy of aphids. The algorithm combines two reproduction mechanisms — parthenogenesis and sexual reproduction — and also utilizes the colonial structure of the population with the possibility of migration between colonies. The key features of the algorithm are adaptive switching between different reproductive strategies and a system of information exchange between colonies through the flight mechanism.
Introduction to MQL5 (Part 2): Navigating Predefined Variables, Common Functions, and Control Flow Statements
Embark on an illuminating journey with Part Two of our MQL5 series. These articles are not just tutorials, they're doorways to an enchanted realm where programming novices and wizards alike unite. What makes this journey truly magical? Part Two of our MQL5 series stands out with its refreshing simplicity, making complex concepts accessible to all. Engage with us interactively as we answer your questions, ensuring an enriching and personalized learning experience. Let's build a community where understanding MQL5 is an adventure for everyone. Welcome to the enchantment!
Interview with Matúš German (ATC 2012)
It's the second time Matúš German participates in the Automated Trading Championship. By the end of the fourth week of ATC 2012 his Expert Advisor has been holding its positions in the TOP-10 having about $30 000. Matúš is from Slovakia, from the little town Bardejov. Matúš is interested in trading for about 5 years and he develops Expert Advisors for 3 years already.
Creating an MQL5-Telegram Integrated Expert Advisor (Part 6): Adding Responsive Inline Buttons
In this article, we integrate interactive inline buttons into an MQL5 Expert Advisor, allowing real-time control via Telegram. Each button press triggers specific actions and sends responses back to the user. We also modularize functions for handling Telegram messages and callback queries efficiently.
DoEasy. Controls (Part 18): Functionality for scrolling tabs in TabControl
In this article, I will place header scrolling control buttons in TabControl WinForms object in case the header bar does not fit the size of the control. Besides, I will implement the shift of the header bar when clicking on the cropped tab header.
Integrating AI into 3 Smart Money Concepts (SMC): OB, BOS, and FVG
This guide integrates a trained XGBoost model (ONNX) into an SMC EA to evaluate trade setups before execution. The Python pipeline labels historical XAUUSD events and produces a 12-feature representation aligned with the EA. The result is a reproducible method to train, export, and embed the model so the EA can filter OB, FVG, and BOS signals programmatically.
Developing a trading Expert Advisor from scratch (Part 17): Accessing data on the web (III)
In this article we continue considering how to obtain data from the web and to use it in an Expert Advisor. This time we will proceed to developing an alternative system.
Mastering Quick Trades: Overcoming Execution Paralysis
The UT BOT ATR Trailing Indicator is a personal and customizable indicator that is very effective for traders who like to make quick decisions and make money from differences in price referred to as short-term trading (scalpers) and also proves to be vital and very effective for long-term traders (positional traders).
Neural Networks in Trading: Integrating Chaos Theory into Time Series Forecasting (Attraos)
The Attraos framework integrates chaos theory into long-term time series forecasting, treating them as projections of multidimensional chaotic dynamic systems. Exploiting attractor invariance, the model uses phase space reconstruction and dynamic multi-resolution memory to preserve historical structures.
MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 73): Using Patterns of Ichimoku and the ADX-Wilder
The Ichimoku-Kinko-Hyo Indicator and the ADX-Wilder oscillator are a pairing that could be used in complimentarily within an MQL5 Expert Advisor. The Ichimoku is multi-faceted, however for this article, we are relying on it primarily for its ability to define support and resistance levels. Meanwhile, we also use the ADX to define our trend. As usual, we use the MQL5 wizard to build and test any potential these two may possess.
Interview with Mariusz Zarnowski (ATC 2012)
As December 28 is approaching, the list of leaders of the Automated Trading Championship 2012 is becoming clearer. With only two weeks to go until the end of the Championship, Mariusz Zarnowski (zrn) from Poland stands a good chance to be in the top three. His EA has already demonstrated how it can triple the initial deposit in just a couple of weeks.
Creating Custom Indicators in MQL5 (Part 2): Building a Gauge-Style RSI Display with Canvas and Needle Mechanics
In this article, we develop a gauge-style RSI indicator in MQL5 that visualizes Relative Strength Index values on a circular scale with a dynamic needle, color-coded ranges for overbought and oversold levels, and customizable legends. We utilize the Canvas class to draw elements like arcs, ticks, and pies, ensuring smooth updates on new RSI data.
Trading Insights Through Volume: Trend Confirmation
The Enhanced Trend Confirmation Technique combines price action, volume analysis, and machine learning to identify genuine market movements. It requires both price breakouts and volume surges (50% above average) for trade validation, while using an LSTM neural network for additional confirmation. The system employs ATR-based position sizing and dynamic risk management, making it adaptable to various market conditions while filtering out false signals.
MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 83): Using Patterns of Stochastic Oscillator and the FrAMA — Behavioral Archetypes
The Stochastic Oscillator and the Fractal Adaptive Moving Average are another indicator pairing that could be used for their ability to compliment each other within an MQL5 Expert Advisor. We look at the Stochastic for its ability to pinpoint momentum shifts, while the FrAMA is used to provide confirmation of the prevailing trends. In exploring this indicator pairing, as always, we use the MQL5 wizard to build and test out their potential.
Fast trading strategy tester in Python using Numba
The article implements a fast strategy tester for machine learning models using Numba. It is 50 times faster than the pure Python strategy tester. The author recommends using this library to speed up mathematical calculations, especially the ones involving loops.
Measuring Indicator Information
Machine learning has become a popular method for strategy development. Whilst there has been more emphasis on maximizing profitability and prediction accuracy , the importance of processing the data used to build predictive models has not received a lot of attention. In this article we consider using the concept of entropy to evaluate the appropriateness of indicators to be used in predictive model building as documented in the book Testing and Tuning Market Trading Systems by Timothy Masters.
Creating an Interactive Graphical User Interface in MQL5 (Part 2): Adding Controls and Responsiveness
Enhancing the MQL5 GUI panel with dynamic features can significantly improve the trading experience for users. By incorporating interactive elements, hover effects, and real-time data updates, the panel becomes a powerful tool for modern traders.
Creating Custom Indicators in MQL5 (Part 11): Enhancing the Footprint Chart with Market Structure and Order Flow Layers
This article extends the MQL5 footprint chart with market-structure and order-flow layers: volume-profile bars, point of control, value-area highlighting, stacked imbalance detection, absorption zones, and single-print/unfinished markers. We expand bar data structures, add functions for POC/value area, imbalance, and absorption, and build a fixed-order rendering pipeline. You will get ready-to-use inputs, metadata, and drawing utilities to integrate and customize these layers in your indicator.
Overcoming ONNX Integration Challenges
ONNX is a great tool for integrating complex AI code between different platforms, it is a great tool that comes with some challenges that one must address to get the most out of it, In this article we discuss the common issues you might face and how to mitigate them.
Portfolio Optimization in Python and MQL5
This article explores advanced portfolio optimization techniques using Python and MQL5 with MetaTrader 5. It demonstrates how to develop algorithms for data analysis, asset allocation, and trading signal generation, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making in modern financial management and risk mitigation.
Statistical Arbitrage Through Cointegrated Stocks (Part 1): Engle-Granger and Johansen Cointegration Tests
This article aims to provide a trader-friendly, gentle introduction to the most common cointegration tests, along with a simple guide to understanding their results. The Engle-Granger and Johansen cointegration tests can reveal statistically significant pairs or groups of assets that share long-term dynamics. The Johansen test is especially useful for portfolios with three or more assets, as it calculates the strength of cointegrating vectors all at once.
Graphics in DoEasy library (Part 99): Moving an extended graphical object using a single control point
In the previous article, I implemented the ability to move pivot points of an extended graphical object using control forms. Now I am going to implement the ability to move a composite graphical object using a single graphical object control point (form).
Moving to MQL5 Algo Forge (Part 1): Creating the Main Repository
When working on projects in MetaEditor, developers often face the need to manage code versions. MetaQuotes recently announced migration to GIT and the launch of MQL5 Algo Forge with code versioning and collaboration capabilities. In this article, we will discuss how to use the new and previously existing tools more efficiently.
DoEasy. Controls (Part 9): Re-arranging WinForms object methods, RadioButton and Button controls
In this article, I will fix the names of WinForms object class methods and create Button and RadioButton WinForms objects.
Frequency domain representations of time series: The Power Spectrum
In this article we discuss methods related to the analysis of timeseries in the frequency domain. Emphasizing the utility of examining the power spectra of time series when building predictive models. In this article we will discuss some of the useful perspectives to be gained by analyzing time series in the frequency domain using the discrete fourier transform (dft).
Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 12): External Flow (III) TrendMap
The flow of the market is determined by the forces between bulls and bears. There are specific levels that the market respects due to the forces acting on them. Fibonacci and VWAP levels are especially powerful in influencing market behavior. Join me in this article as we explore a strategy based on VWAP and Fibonacci levels for signal generation.
Neural Networks in Trading: Enhancing Transformer Efficiency by Reducing Sharpness (SAMformer)
Training Transformer models requires large amounts of data and is often difficult since the models are not good at generalizing to small datasets. The SAMformer framework helps solve this problem by avoiding poor local minima. This improves the efficiency of models even on limited training datasets.
Fallacies, Part 2. Statistics Is a Pseudo-Science, or a Chronicle of Nosediving Bread And Butter
Numerous attempts to apply statistical methods to the objective reality, i.e. to financial series, crash when met with the nonstationarity of processes, "fat tails" of accompanying probability distributions, and insufficient volume of financial data.In this publication I will try to refer not to the financial series as such, but to their subjective presentation - in this case, to the way a trader tries to halter the series, i.e. to the trading system. The eduction of statistical regularities of the trading results process is a rather enthralling task. In some cases quite true conclusions about the model of this process can be made, and these can be applied to the trading system.
Neural networks made easy (Part 55): Contrastive intrinsic control (CIC)
Contrastive training is an unsupervised method of training representation. Its goal is to train a model to highlight similarities and differences in data sets. In this article, we will talk about using contrastive training approaches to explore different Actor skills.
From Novice to Expert: Animated News Headline Using MQL5 (IX) — Multiple Symbol Management on a single chart for News Trading
News trading often requires managing multiple positions and symbols within a very short time due to heightened volatility. In today’s discussion, we address the challenges of multi-symbol trading by integrating this feature into our News Headline EA. Join us as we explore how algorithmic trading with MQL5 makes multi-symbol trading more efficient and powerful.