Are recursive algorithms allowed on MQL5 for automated trading?

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I am new to MQL5. I have been writing scripts for years using thinkorswim's Thinkscript. There is an automated trading feature on thinkorswim, but as soon as you try to use the best trading indicators, which all seem to use recursive algorithms, you run into severe restrictions.

 

I have a technique which will work, but I need a platform which allows for recursion. Am I in the right place? Or should I try another platform? Thanks. 

 
You can use recursive functions in mql5. So I suppose you can implement your recursive algorithms.
 
angevoyageur:
You can use recursive functions in mql5. So I suppose you can implement your recursive algorithms.
ange, thanks for the reply. I look forward to investigating MQL5 further.
 

In my opinion the only problem you must be aware is stack limits and speed, if your algorithms are complex. 

For instance, I wrote a simple code to check the stack limits and speed of MT5 with a simple Fibonacci series generation with recursive algorithm:

int Fibonacci(int N) 
  {
    if ((N==1) || (N==2)) 
      return 1; 
    else 
      return Fibonacci(N-2) + Fibonacci(N-1); 
  } 

void OnStart()
  {
   for (int N=1; N<=20; N++) {
      Print(N," --> ",Fibonacci(N));
   }
  }

 The result (note that, as expected, each step become a bit slower, mainly after step 23):

2014.01.16 04:21:26.715 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       40 --> 102334155
2014.01.16 04:21:25.293 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       39 --> 63245986
2014.01.16 04:21:24.426 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       38 --> 39088169
2014.01.16 04:21:23.892 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       37 --> 24157817
2014.01.16 04:21:23.563 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       36 --> 14930352
2014.01.16 04:21:23.360 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       35 --> 9227465
2014.01.16 04:21:23.233 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       34 --> 5702887
2014.01.16 04:21:23.153 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       33 --> 3524578
2014.01.16 04:21:23.104 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       32 --> 2178309
2014.01.16 04:21:23.075 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       31 --> 1346269
2014.01.16 04:21:23.056 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       30 --> 832040
2014.01.16 04:21:23.044 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       29 --> 514229
2014.01.16 04:21:23.037 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       28 --> 317811
2014.01.16 04:21:23.032 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       27 --> 196418
2014.01.16 04:21:23.029 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       26 --> 121393
2014.01.16 04:21:23.028 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       25 --> 75025
2014.01.16 04:21:23.027 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       24 --> 46368
2014.01.16 04:21:23.026 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       23 --> 28657
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       22 --> 17711
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       21 --> 10946
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       20 --> 6765
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       19 --> 4181
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       18 --> 2584
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       17 --> 1597
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       16 --> 987
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       15 --> 610
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       14 --> 377
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       13 --> 233
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       12 --> 144
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       11 --> 89
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       10 --> 55
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       9 --> 34
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       8 --> 21
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       7 --> 13
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       6 --> 8
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       5 --> 5
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       4 --> 3
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       3 --> 2
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       2 --> 1
2014.01.16 04:21:23.025 Teste (EURUSD,H1)       1 --> 1
 
figurelli:

In my opinion the only problem you must be aware is stack limits and speed, if your algorithms are complex. 

For instance, I wrote a simple code to check the stack limits and speed of MT5 with a simple Fibonacci series generation with recursive algorithm:

 The result (note that, as expected, each step become a bit slower, mainly after step 23):

This is a common issue with recursive algorithm, nothing specific to mql5.

You can use the #property stacksize directive if needed for your algorithm.

 
angevoyageur:

This is a common issue with recursive algorithm, nothing specific to mql5.

You can use the #property stacksize directive if needed for your algorithm.

For sure, my idea is give an ready example to help corderlen vision about MT5.
 
figurelli:
For sure, my idea is give an ready example to help corderlen vision about MT5.
Of course, thank you for this example.
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