Processing optimization results using the graphical interface
Processing optimization results using the graphical interface
This is a continuation of the idea of processing and analysis of optimization results. This time, our purpose is to select the 100 best optimization results and display them in a GUI table. The user will be able to select a row in the optimization results table and receive a multi-symbol balance and drawdown graph on separate charts.
Developing multi-module Expert Advisors
Developing multi-module Expert Advisors
MQL programming language allows implementing the concept of modular development of trading strategies. The article shows an example of developing a multi-module Expert Advisor consisting of separately compiled file modules.
Trade Operations in MQL5 - It's Easy
Trade Operations in MQL5 - It's Easy
Almost all traders come to market to make money but some traders also enjoy the process itself. However, it is not only manual trading that can provide you with an exciting experience. Automated trading systems development can also be quite absorbing. Creating a trading robot can be as interesting as reading a good mystery novel.
Synchronizing several same-symbol charts on different timeframes
Synchronizing several same-symbol charts on different timeframes
When making trading decisions, we often have to analyze charts on several timeframes. At the same time, these charts often contain graphical objects. Applying the same objects to all charts is inconvenient. In this article, I propose to automate cloning of objects to be displayed on charts.
Multi-symbol balance graph in MetaTrader 5
Multi-symbol balance graph in MetaTrader 5
The article provides an example of an MQL application with its graphical interface featuring multi-symbol balance and deposit drawdown graphs based on the last test results.
Deep Neural Networks (Part V). Bayesian optimization of DNN hyperparameters
Deep Neural Networks (Part V). Bayesian optimization of DNN hyperparameters
The article considers the possibility to apply Bayesian optimization to hyperparameters of deep neural networks, obtained by various training variants. The classification quality of a DNN with the optimal hyperparameters in different training variants is compared. Depth of effectiveness of the DNN optimal hyperparameters has been checked in forward tests. The possible directions for improving the classification quality have been determined.
Comparing speeds of self-caching indicators
Comparing speeds of self-caching indicators
The article compares the classic MQL5 access to indicators with alternative MQL4-style methods. Several varieties of MQL4-style access to indicators are considered: with and without the indicator handles caching. Considering the indicator handles inside the MQL5 core is analyzed as well.
How to create a graphical panel of any complexity level
How to create a graphical panel of any complexity level
The article features a detailed explanation of how to create a panel on the basis of the CAppDialog class and how to add controls to the panel. It provides the description of the panel structure and a scheme, which shows the inheritance of objects. From this article, you will also learn how events are handled and how they are delivered to dependent controls. Additional examples show how to edit panel parameters, such as the size and the background color.
Visualizing trading strategy optimization in MetaTrader 5
Visualizing trading strategy optimization in MetaTrader 5
The article implements an MQL application with a graphical interface for extended visualization of the optimization process. The graphical interface applies the last version of EasyAndFast library. Many users may ask why they need graphical interfaces in MQL applications. This article demonstrates one of multiple cases where they can be useful for traders.
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.
Controlled optimization: Simulated annealing
Controlled optimization: Simulated annealing
The Strategy Tester in the MetaTrader 5 trading platform provides only two optimization options: complete search of parameters and genetic algorithm. This article proposes a new method for optimizing trading strategies — Simulated annealing. The method's algorithm, its implementation and integration into any Expert Advisor are considered. The developed algorithm is tested on the Moving Average EA.
LifeHack for traders: Fast food made of indicators
LifeHack for traders: Fast food made of indicators
If you have newly switched to MQL5, then this article will be useful. First, the access to the indicator data and series is done in the usual MQL4 style. Second, this entire simplicity is implemented in MQL5. All functions are as clear as possible and perfectly suited for step-by-step debugging.
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.
Automatic Selection of Promising Signals
Automatic Selection of Promising Signals
The article is devoted to the analysis of trading signals for the MetaTrader 5 platform, which enable the automated execution of trading operations on subscribers' accounts. Also, the article considers the development of tools, which help search for potentially promising trading signals straight from the terminal.
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.
Creating a custom news feed for MetaTrader 5
Creating a custom news feed for MetaTrader 5
In this article we look at the possibility of creating a flexible news feed that offers more options in terms of the type of news and also its source. The article will show how a web API can be integrated with the MetaTrader 5 terminal.
Trading DiNapoli levels
Trading DiNapoli levels
The article considers one of the variants for Expert Advisor practical realization to trade DiNapoli levels using MQL5 standard tools. Its performance is tested and conclusions are made.
Cross-Platform Expert Advisor: Time Filters
Cross-Platform Expert Advisor: Time Filters
This article discusses the implementation of various methods of time filtering a cross-platform expert advisor. The time filter classes are responsible for checking whether or not a given time falls under a certain time configuration setting.
Resolving entries into indicators
Resolving entries into indicators
Different situations happen in trader’s life. Often, the history of successful trades allows us to restore a strategy, while looking at a loss history we try to develop and improve it. In both cases, we compare trades with known indicators. This article suggests methods of batch comparison of trades with a number of indicators.
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.
R-squared as an estimation of quality of the strategy balance curve
R-squared as an estimation of quality of the strategy balance curve
This article describes the construction of the custom optimization criterion R-squared. This criterion can be used to estimate the quality of a strategy's balance curve and to select the most smoothly growing and stable strategies. The work discusses the principles of its construction and statistical methods used in estimation of properties and quality of this metric.
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.
A Library for Constructing a Chart via Google Chart API
A Library for Constructing a Chart via Google Chart API
The construction of various types of diagrams is an essential part of the analyses of the market situation and the testing of a trading system. Frequently, in order to construct a nice looking diagram, it is necessary to organize the data output into a file, after which it is used in applications such as MS Excel. This is not very convenient and deprives us of the ability to dynamically update the data. Google Charts API provided the means for creating charts in online modes, by sending a special request to the server. In this article we attempt to automate the process of creating such a request and obtaining a chart from the Google server.
Machine Learning: How Support Vector Machines can be used in Trading
Machine Learning: How Support Vector Machines can be used in Trading
Support Vector Machines have long been used in fields such as bioinformatics and applied mathematics to assess complex data sets and extract useful patterns that can be used to classify data. This article looks at what a support vector machine is, how they work and why they can be so useful in extracting complex patterns. We then investigate how they can be applied to the market and potentially used to advise on trades. Using the Support Vector Machine Learning Tool, the article provides worked examples that allow readers to experiment with their own trading.
Statistical Estimations
Statistical Estimations
Estimation of statistical parameters of a sequence is very important, since most of mathematical models and methods are based on different assumptions. For example, normality of distribution law or dispersion value, or other parameters. Thus, when analyzing and forecasting of time series we need a simple and convenient tool that allows quickly and clearly estimating the main statistical parameters. The article shortly describes the simplest statistical parameters of a random sequence and several methods of its visual analysis. It offers the implementation of these methods in MQL5 and the methods of visualization of the result of calculations using the Gnuplot application.
Bi-Directional Trading and Hedging of Positions in MetaTrader 5 Using the HedgeTerminal Panel, Part 1
Bi-Directional Trading and Hedging of Positions in MetaTrader 5 Using the HedgeTerminal Panel, Part 1
This article describes a new approach to hedging of positions and draws the line in the debates between users of MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 about this matter. The algorithms making such hedging reliable are described in layman's terms and illustrated with simple charts and diagrams. This article is dedicated to the new panel HedgeTerminal, which is essentially a fully featured trading terminal within MetaTrader 5. Using HedgeTerminal and the virtualization of the trade it offers, positions can be managed in the way similar to MetaTrader 4.
Fundamentals of Statistics
Fundamentals of Statistics
Every trader works using certain statistical calculations, even if being a supporter of fundamental analysis. This article walks you through the fundamentals of statistics, its basic elements and shows the importance of statistics in decision making.
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.
Application of the Eigen-Coordinates Method to Structural Analysis of Nonextensive Statistical Distributions
Application of the Eigen-Coordinates Method to Structural Analysis of Nonextensive Statistical Distributions
The major problem of applied statistics is the problem of accepting statistical hypotheses. It was long considered impossible to be solved. The situation has changed with the emergence of the eigen-coordinates method. It is a fine and powerful tool for a structural study of a signal allowing to see more than what is possible using methods of modern applied statistics. The article focuses on practical use of this method and sets forth programs in MQL5. It also deals with the problem of function identification using as an example the distribution introduced by Hilhorst and Schehr.
Statistical Distributions in MQL5 - taking the best of R and making it faster
Statistical Distributions in MQL5 - taking the best of R and making it faster
The functions for working with the basic statistical distributions implemented in the R language are considered. Those include the Cauchy, Weibull, normal, log-normal, logistic, exponential, uniform, gamma distributions, the central and noncentral beta, chi-squared, Fisher's F-distribution, Student's t-distribution, as well as the discrete binomial and negative binomial distributions, geometric, hypergeometric and Poisson distributions. There are functions for calculating theoretical moments of distributions, which allow to evaluate the degree of conformity of the real distribution to the modeled one.
Interview with Dr. Alexander Elder: "I want to be a psychiatrist in the market"
Interview with Dr. Alexander Elder: "I want to be a psychiatrist in the market"
I think financial markets are like manic-depressive patients. Sell when they have mania, and buy when they have depression. The envelope helps me determine where these levels of depression and mania are. There is a joke: "A neurotic is a man who builds castles in the skies, psychotic is the one who lives in them, and a psychiatrist is a person who collects the rent." I want to be a psychiatrist in the market. I want to collect the rent from the madness of the crowd.
Technical Indicators and Digital Filters
Technical Indicators and Digital Filters
In this article, technical indicators are treated as digital filters. Operation principles and basic characteristics of digital filters are explained. Also, some practical ways of receiving the filter kernel in MetaTrader 5 terminal and integration with a ready-made spectrum analyzer proposed in the article "Building a Spectrum Analyzer" are considered. Pulse and spectrum characteristics of the typical digital filters are used as examples.