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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MagicNumber: "Magic" Identifier of the Order
MagicNumber: "Magic" Identifier of the Order

MagicNumber: "Magic" Identifier of the Order

The article deals with the problem of conflict-free trading of several experts on the same МТ 4 Client Terminal. It "teaches" the expert to manage only "its own" orders without modifying or closing "someone else's" positions (opened manually or by other experts). The article was written for users who have basic skills of working with the terminal and programming in MQL 4.
The All or Nothing Forex Strategy
The All or Nothing Forex Strategy

The All or Nothing Forex Strategy

The purpose of this article is to create the most simple trading strategy that implements the "All or Nothing" gaming principle. We don't want to create a profitable Expert Advisor - the goal is to increase the initial deposit several times with the highest possible probability. Is it possible to hit the jackpot on ForEx or lose everything without knowing anything about technical analysis and without using any indicators?
Trading Signals in MetaTrader 5: A Better Alternative to PAMM Accounts!
Trading Signals in MetaTrader 5: A Better Alternative to PAMM Accounts!

Trading Signals in MetaTrader 5: A Better Alternative to PAMM Accounts!

We are pleased to announce that MetaTrader 5 now features Trading Signals, thus giving a powerful tool to investors and managers. While you are following the trades of a successful trader, the terminal will be automatically reproducing them in your account!
50,000 completed orders in the MQL5.com Freelance service
50,000 completed orders in the MQL5.com Freelance service

50,000 completed orders in the MQL5.com Freelance service

Members of the official MetaTrader Freelance service have completed more than 50,000 orders as at October 2018. This is the world's largest Freelance site for MQL programmers: more than a thousand developers, dozens of new orders daily and 7 languages localization.
The ZigZag Indicator: Fresh Approach and New Solutions
The ZigZag Indicator: Fresh Approach and New Solutions

The ZigZag Indicator: Fresh Approach and New Solutions

The article examines the possibility of creating an advanced ZigZag indicator. The idea of identifying nodes is based on the use of the Envelopes indicator. We assume that we can find a certain combination of input parameters for a series of Envelopes, whereby all ZigZag nodes lie within the confines of the Envelopes bands. Consequently, we can try to predict the coordinates of the new node.
The Channel Breakout pattern
The Channel Breakout pattern

The Channel Breakout pattern

Price trends form price channels that can be observed on financial symbol charts. The breakout of the current channel is one of the strong trend reversal signals. In this article, I suggest a way to automate the process of finding such signals and see if the channel breakout pattern can be used for creating a trading strategy.
Self-optimization of EA: Evolutionary and genetic algorithms
Self-optimization of EA: Evolutionary and genetic algorithms

Self-optimization of EA: Evolutionary and genetic algorithms

This article covers the main principles set fourth in evolutionary algorithms, their variety and features. We will conduct an experiment with a simple Expert Advisor used as an example to show how our trading system benefits from optimization. We will consider software programs that implement genetic, evolutionary and other types of optimization, and provide examples of application when optimizing a predictor set and parameters of the trading system.
100 best optimization passes (part 1). Developing optimization analyzer
100 best optimization passes (part 1). Developing optimization analyzer

100 best optimization passes (part 1). Developing optimization analyzer

The article dwells on the development of an application for selecting the best optimization passes using several possible options. The application is able to sort out the optimization results by a variety of factors. Optimization passes are always written to a database, therefore you can always select new robot parameters without re-optimization. Besides, you are able to see all optimization passes on a single chart, calculate parametric VaR ratios and build the graph of the normal distribution of passes and trading results of a certain ratio set. Besides, the graphs of some calculated ratios are built dynamically beginning with the optimization start (or from a selected date to another selected date).
Indicator for Renko charting
Indicator for Renko charting

Indicator for Renko charting

The article describes an example of Renko charting and its implementation in MQL5 as an indicator. Modifications of this indicator distinguish it from a classic chart. It can be constructed both in the indicator window and on the main chart. Moreover, there is the ZigZag indicator. You can find a few examples of the chart implementation.
Comparative Analysis of 10 Trend Strategies
Comparative Analysis of 10 Trend Strategies

Comparative Analysis of 10 Trend Strategies

The article provides a brief overview of ten trend following strategies, as well as their testing results and comparative analysis. Based on the obtained results, we draw a general conclusion about the appropriateness, advantages and disadvantages of trend following trading.
14,000 trading robots in the MetaTrader Market
14,000 trading robots in the MetaTrader Market

14,000 trading robots in the MetaTrader Market

The largest store of ready-made applications for algo-trading now features 13,970 products. This includes 4,800 robots, 6,500 indicators, 2,400 utilities and other solutions. Almost half of the applications (6,000) are available for rent. Also, a quarter of the total number of products (3,800) can be downloaded for free.
Night trading during the Asian session: How to stay profitable
Night trading during the Asian session: How to stay profitable

Night trading during the Asian session: How to stay profitable

The article deals with the concept of night trading, as well as trading strategies and their implementation in MQL5. We perform tests and make appropriate conclusions.
Neural network: Self-optimizing Expert Advisor
Neural network: Self-optimizing Expert Advisor

Neural network: Self-optimizing Expert Advisor

Is it possible to develop an Expert Advisor able to optimize position open and close conditions at regular intervals according to the code commands? What happens if we implement a neural network (multilayer perceptron) in the form of a module to analyze history and provide strategy? We can make the EA optimize a neural network monthly (weekly, daily or hourly) and continue its work afterwards. Thus, we can develop a self-optimizing EA.
The Easy Way to Evaluate a Signal: Trading Activity, Drawdown/Load and MFE/MAE Distribution Charts
The Easy Way to Evaluate a Signal: Trading Activity, Drawdown/Load and MFE/MAE Distribution Charts

The Easy Way to Evaluate a Signal: Trading Activity, Drawdown/Load and MFE/MAE Distribution Charts

Subscribers often search for an appropriate signal by analyzing the total growth on the signal provider's account, which is not a bad idea. However, it is also important to analyze potential risks of a particular trading strategy. In this article we will show a simple and efficient way to evaluate a Trading Signal based on its performance values.
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.
The Golden Rule of Traders
The Golden Rule of Traders

The Golden Rule of Traders

In order to make profits based on high expectations, we must understand three basic principles of good trading: 1) know your risk when entering the market; 2) cut your losses early and allow your profit to run; 3) know the expectation of your system – test and adjust it regularly. This article provides a program code trailing open positions and actualizing the second golden principle, as it allows profit to run for the highest possible level.
Deep neural network with Stacked RBM. Self-training, self-control
Deep neural network with Stacked RBM. Self-training, self-control

Deep neural network with Stacked RBM. Self-training, self-control

This article is a continuation of previous articles on deep neural network and predictor selection. Here we will cover features of a neural network initiated by Stacked RBM, and its implementation in the "darch" package.
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Fast Dive into MQL5

Fast Dive into MQL5

You have decided to study MQL5 trading strategies' programming language, but you know nothing about it? We have tried to examine MQL5 and MetaTrader 5 terminal from the newcomers' point of view and have written this short introductory article. In this article, you can find a brief idea of the possibilities of the language, as well as some tips on working with MetaEditor 5 and the terminal.
Money Management by Vince. Implementation as a module for MQL5 Wizard
Money Management by Vince. Implementation as a module for MQL5 Wizard

Money Management by Vince. Implementation as a module for MQL5 Wizard

The article is based on 'The Mathematics of Money Management' by Ralph Vince. It provides the description of empirical and parametric methods used for finding the optimal size of a trading lot. Also the article features implementation of trading modules for the MQL5 Wizard based on these methods.
Merrill patterns
Merrill patterns

Merrill patterns

In this article, we will have a look at Merrill patterns' model and try to evaluate their current relevance. To do this, we will develop a tool to test the patterns and apply the model to various data types such as Close, High and Low prices, as well as oscillators.
Learn how to design a trading system by RSI
Learn how to design a trading system by RSI

Learn how to design a trading system by RSI

In this article, I will share with you one of the most popular and commonly used indicators in the world of trading which is RSI. You will learn how to design a trading system using this indicator.
MQL5 Wizard: How to Create a Module of Trading Signals
MQL5 Wizard: How to Create a Module of Trading Signals

MQL5 Wizard: How to Create a Module of Trading Signals

The article discusses how to write your own class of trading signals with the implementation of signals on the crossing of the price and the moving average, and how to include it to the generator of trading strategies of the MQL5 Wizard, as well as describes the structure and format of the description of the generated class for the MQL5 Wizard.
Using the Kalman Filter for price direction prediction
Using the Kalman Filter for price direction prediction

Using the Kalman Filter for price direction prediction

For successful trading, we almost always need indicators that can separate the main price movement from noise fluctuations. In this article, we consider one of the most promising digital filters, the Kalman filter. The article provides the description of how to draw and use the filter.
The 'Turtle Soup' trading system and its 'Turtle Soup Plus One' modification
The 'Turtle Soup' trading system and its 'Turtle Soup Plus One' modification

The 'Turtle Soup' trading system and its 'Turtle Soup Plus One' modification

The article features formalized rules of two trading strategies 'Turtle Soup' and 'Turtle Soup Plus One' from Street Smarts: High Probability Short-Term Trading Strategies by Linda Bradford Raschke and Laurence A. Connors. The strategies described in the book are quite popular. But it is important to understand that the authors have developed them based on the 15...20 year old market behavior.
Speed Up Calculations with the MQL5 Cloud Network
Speed Up Calculations with the MQL5 Cloud Network

Speed Up Calculations with the MQL5 Cloud Network

How many cores do you have on your home computer? How many computers can you use to optimize a trading strategy? We show here how to use the MQL5 Cloud Network to accelerate calculations by receiving the computing power across the globe with the click of a mouse. The phrase "Time is money" becomes even more topical with each passing year, and we cannot afford to wait for important computations for tens of hours or even days.
Elder-Ray (Bulls Power and Bears Power)
Elder-Ray (Bulls Power and Bears Power)

Elder-Ray (Bulls Power and Bears Power)

The article dwells on Elder-Ray trading system based on Bulls Power, Bears Power and Moving Average indicators (EMA — exponential averaging). This system was described by Alexander Elder in his book "Trading for a Living".
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Fix PriceAction Stoploss or Fixed RSI (Smart StopLoss)

Fix PriceAction Stoploss or Fixed RSI (Smart StopLoss)

Stop-loss is a major tool when it comes to money management in trading. Effective use of stop-loss, take profit and lot size can make a trader more consistent in trading and overall more profitable. Although stop-loss is a great tool, there are challenges that are encountered when being used. The major one being stop-loss hunt. This article looks on how to reduce stop-loss hunt in trade and compare with the classical stop-loss usage to determine its profitability.
The Use of the MQL5 Standard Trade Class libraries in writing an Expert Advisor
The Use of the MQL5 Standard Trade Class libraries in writing an Expert Advisor

The Use of the MQL5 Standard Trade Class libraries in writing an Expert Advisor

This article explains how to use the major functionalities of the MQL5 Standard Library Trade Classes in writing Expert Advisors which implements position closing and modifying, pending order placing and deletion and verifying of Margin before placing a trade. We have also demonstrated how Trade classes can be used to obtain order and deal details.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXII): Trading classes - Base trading class, verification of limitations
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXII): Trading classes - Base trading class, verification of limitations

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.
Random Decision Forest in Reinforcement learning
Random Decision Forest in Reinforcement learning

Random Decision Forest in Reinforcement learning

Random Forest (RF) with the use of bagging is one of the most powerful machine learning methods, which is slightly inferior to gradient boosting. This article attempts to develop a self-learning trading system that makes decisions based on the experience gained from interaction with the market.
Combining trend and flat strategies
Combining trend and flat strategies

Combining trend and flat strategies

There are numerous trading strategies out there. Some of them look for a trend, while others define ranges of price fluctuations to trade within them. Is it possible to combine these two approaches to increase profitability?
Mechanical Trading System "Chuvashov's Fork"
Mechanical Trading System "Chuvashov's Fork"

Mechanical Trading System "Chuvashov's Fork"

This article draws your attention to the brief review of the method and program code of the mechanical trading system based on the technique proposed by Stanislav Chuvashov. The market analysis considered in the article has something in common with Thomas DeMark's approach to drawing trend lines for the last closest time interval, fractals being the reference points in the construction of trend lines.
Triangular arbitrage
Triangular arbitrage

Triangular arbitrage

The article deals with the popular trading method - triangular arbitrage. Here we analyze the topic in as much detail as possible, consider the positive and negative aspects of the strategy and develop the ready-made Expert Advisor code.
Projects assist in creating profitable trading robots! Or at least, so it seems
Projects assist in creating profitable trading robots! Or at least, so it seems

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.
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXX): Pending trading requests - managing request objects
Library for easy and quick development of MetaTrader programs (part XXX): Pending trading requests - managing request objects

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.
Reversal patterns: Testing the Double top/bottom pattern
Reversal patterns: Testing the Double top/bottom pattern

Reversal patterns: Testing the Double top/bottom pattern

Traders often look for trend reversal points since the price has the greatest potential for movement at the very beginning of a newly formed trend. Consequently, various reversal patterns are considered in the technical analysis. The Double top/bottom is one of the most well-known and frequently used ones. The article proposes the method of the pattern programmatic detection. It also tests the pattern's profitability on history data.
Fuzzy Logic in trading strategies
Fuzzy Logic in trading strategies

Fuzzy Logic in trading strategies

The article considers an example of applying the fuzzy logic to build a simple trading system, using the Fuzzy library. Variants for improving the system by combining fuzzy logic, genetic algorithms and neural networks are proposed.
False trigger protection for Trading Robot
False trigger protection for Trading Robot

False trigger protection for Trading Robot

Profitability of trading systems is defined not only by logic and precision of analyzing the financial instrument dynamics, but also by the quality of the performance algorithm of this logic. False trigger is typical for low quality performance of the main logic of a trading robot. Ways of solving the specified problem are considered in this article.
Momentum Pinball trading strategy
Momentum Pinball trading strategy

Momentum Pinball trading strategy

In this article, we continue to consider writing the code to trading systems described in a book by Linda B. Raschke and Laurence A. Connors “Street Smarts: High Probability Short-Term Trading Strategies”. This time we study Momentum Pinball system: there is described creation of two indicators, trade robot and signal block on it.
Orders Management - It's Simple
Orders Management - It's Simple

Orders Management - It's Simple

The article deals with various ways of how to control open positions and pending orders. It is devoted to simplifying of writing Expert Advisors.