Expert advisor for indicator

This post is for those of you who wish to try out an Expert Advisor, Indicator or Script but aren't too sure where to start.

First, some background information. These are "add ons" that you can use within Metatrader4 (MT4). They are created by writing a set of rules and commands using Metatrader Query Language (MQL) which is quite similar to modern day computer languages (e.g. C++, Java). The code you write (Source Code) is stored in a file with a suffix of MQ4.

Once the code has been written it is "processed" into a format that the computer/MT4 can understand better. This is called compiling and generates a file with the suffix of EX4.

So, a simple file called MyIndicator.MQ4 would also have a MyIndicator.EX4 file.

To use the code within MT4, all you need is the EX4 file, however you will not be able to edit or look at the original source code without the MQ4 file.

f you have an Expert Advisor (EA) you will need to place the files here...

C:\MT4 Quant powered by Divisa Capital\experts

If you have an Indicator it needs to go here...

C:\MT4 Quant powered by Divisa Capital\experts\indicators

If you have a Script it needs to go here...

C:\MT4 Quant powered by Divisa Capital\experts\scripts



For our example files we need to put them into the indicators directory.

To do this, right click on the dcm_MACD_Col.ex4 file. You will have a small pop up menu appear. One of the options will be "Save Link As" (Firefox) or "Save Target As" (Internet Explorer) (something similar for Chrome and other browsers).

Choose this option and it will present you with a dialog that allows you to navigate to the directory as specified above (i.e. ...experts\indicators).

Click on Save and the file will be saved in the correct location. Now do the exactly the same with the dcm_MACD_Col.mq4 file.



Ok - so I've Saved the file - how do I find it in MT4?

If you have MT4 already open, you will need to close it and restart it.

When restarted you should see the indicator listed under the Custom Indicators section of the Navigator Window. From there it's just a case of dragging and dropping it onto a chart.

Expert Advisors will appear under.... Expert Advisors

Scripts will appear under Scripts

Regards

Harix