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Custom symbols: Practical basics
Custom symbols: Practical basics
The article is devoted to the programmatic generation of custom symbols which are used to demonstrate some popular methods for displaying quotes. It describes a suggested variant of minimally invasive adaptation of Expert Advisors for trading a real symbol from a derived custom symbol chart. MQL source codes are attached to this article.
Practical application of neural networks in trading. It's time to practice
Practical application of neural networks in trading. It's time to practice
The article provides a description and instructions for the practical use of neural network modules on the Matlab platform. It also covers the main aspects of creation of a trading system using the neural network module. In order to be able to introduce the complex within one article, I had to modify it so as to combine several neural network module functions in one program.
Continuous Walk-Forward Optimization (Part 6): Auto optimizer's logical part and structure
Continuous Walk-Forward Optimization (Part 6): Auto optimizer's logical part and structure
We have previously considered the creation of automatic walk-forward optimization. This time, we will proceed to the internal structure of the auto optimizer tool. The article will be useful for all those who wish to further work with the created project and to modify it, as well as for those who wish to understand the program logic. The current article contains UML diagrams which present the internal structure of the project and the relationships between objects. It also describes the process of optimization start, but it does not contain the description of the optimizer implementation process.
Continuous Walk-Forward Optimization (Part 5): Auto Optimizer project overview and creation of a GUI
Continuous Walk-Forward Optimization (Part 5): Auto Optimizer project overview and creation of a GUI
This article provides further description of the walk-forward optimization in the MetaTrader 5 terminal. In previous articles, we considered methods for generating and filtering the optimization report and started analyzing the internal structure of the application responsible for the optimization process. The Auto Optimizer is implemented as a C# application and it has its own graphical interface. The fifth article is devoted to the creation of this graphical interface.
An Example of Developing a Spread Strategy for Moscow Exchange Futures
An Example of Developing a Spread Strategy for Moscow Exchange Futures
The MetaTrader 5 platform allows developing and testing trading robots that simultaneously trade multiple financial instruments. The built-in Strategy Tester automatically downloads required tick history from the broker's server taking into account contract specifications, so the developer does not need to do anything manually. This makes it possible to easily and reliably reproduce trading environment conditions, including even millisecond intervals between the arrival of ticks on different symbols. In this article we will demonstrate the development and testing of a spread strategy on two Moscow Exchange futures.
Custom Strategy Tester based on fast mathematical calculations
Custom Strategy Tester based on fast mathematical calculations
The article describes the way to create a custom strategy tester and a custom analyzer of the optimization passes. After reading it, you will understand how the math calculations mode and the mechanism of so-called frames work, how to prepare and load custom data for calculations and use effective algorithms for their compression. This article will also be interesting to those interested in ways of storing custom information within an expert.
Applying the Monte Carlo method for optimizing trading strategies
Applying the Monte Carlo method for optimizing trading strategies
Before launching a robot on a trading account, we usually test and optimize it on quotes history. However, a reasonable question arises: how can past results help us in the future? The article describes applying the Monte Carlo method to construct custom criteria for trading strategy optimization. In addition, the EA stability criteria are considered.
How to quickly develop and debug a trading strategy in MetaTrader 5
How to quickly develop and debug a trading strategy in MetaTrader 5
Scalping automatic systems are rightfully regarded the pinnacle of algorithmic trading, but at the same time their code is the most difficult to write. In this article we will show how to build strategies based on analysis of incoming ticks using the built-in debugging tools and visual testing. Developing rules for entry and exit often require years of manual trading. But with the help of MetaTrader 5, you can quickly test any such strategy on real history.
Creating and testing custom symbols in MetaTrader 5
Creating and testing custom symbols in MetaTrader 5
Creating custom symbols pushes the boundaries in the development of trading systems and financial market analysis. Now traders are able to plot charts and test trading strategies on an unlimited number of financial instruments.
The checks a trading robot must pass before publication in the Market
The checks a trading robot must pass before publication in the Market
Before any product is published in the Market, it must undergo compulsory preliminary checks in order to ensure a uniform quality standard. This article considers the most frequent errors made by developers in their technical indicators and trading robots. An also shows how to self-test a product before sending it to the Market.
Limitless Opportunities with MetaTrader 5 and MQL5
Limitless Opportunities with MetaTrader 5 and MQL5
In this article, I would like to give an example of what a trader's program can be like as well as what results can be achieved in 9 months, having started to learn MQL5 from scratch. This example will also show how multi-functional and informative such a program can be for a trader while taking minimum space on the price chart. And we will be able to see just how colorful, bright and intuitively clear to the user trade information panels can get. As well as many other features...
How to Test a Trading Robot Before Buying
How to Test a Trading Robot Before Buying
Buying a trading robot on MQL5 Market has a distinct benefit over all other similar options - an automated system offered can be thoroughly tested directly in the MetaTrader 5 terminal. Before buying, an Expert Advisor can and should be carefully run in all unfavorable modes in the built-in Strategy Tester to get a complete grasp of the system.
Debugging MQL5 Programs
Debugging MQL5 Programs
This article is intended primarily for the programmers who have already learned the language but have not fully mastered the program development yet. It reveals some debugging techniques and presents a combined experience of the author and many other programmers.
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.
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.
The Fundamentals of Testing in MetaTrader 5
The Fundamentals of Testing in MetaTrader 5
What are the differences between the three modes of testing in MetaTrader 5, and what should be particularly looked for? How does the testing of an EA, trading simultaneously on multiple instruments, take place? When and how are the indicator values calculated during testing, and how are the events handled? How to synchronize the bars from different instruments during testing in an "open prices only" mode? This article aims to provide answers to these and many other questions.
Visualize a Strategy in the MetaTrader 5 Tester
Visualize a Strategy in the MetaTrader 5 Tester
We all know the saying "Better to see once than hear a hundred times". You can read various books about Paris or Venice, but based on the mental images you wouldn't have the same feelings as on the evening walk in these fabulous cities. The advantage of visualization can easily be projected on any aspect of our lives, including work in the market, for example, the analysis of price on charts using indicators, and of course, the visualization of strategy testing. This article contains descriptions of all the visualization features of the MetaTrader 5 Strategy Tester.
MQL5 Cookbook: Developing a Multi-Currency Expert Advisor with Unlimited Number of Parameters
MQL5 Cookbook: Developing a Multi-Currency Expert Advisor with Unlimited Number of Parameters
In this article, we will create a pattern that uses a single set of parameters for optimization of a trading system, while allowing for unlimited number of parameters. The list of symbols will be created in a standard text file (*.txt). Input parameters for each symbol will also be stored in files. This way we will be able to circumvent the restriction of the terminal on the number of input parameters of an Expert Advisor.
Continuous Walk-Forward Optimization (Part 3): Adapting a Robot to Auto Optimizer
Continuous Walk-Forward Optimization (Part 3): Adapting a Robot to Auto Optimizer
The third part serves as a bridge between the previous two parts: it describes the mechanism of interaction with the DLL considered in the first article and the objects for report downloading, which were described in the second article. We will analyze the process of wrapper creation for a class which is imported from DLL and which forms an XML file with the trading history. We will also consider a method for interacting with this wrapper.
SQLite: Native handling of SQL databases in MQL5
SQLite: Native handling of SQL databases in MQL5
The development of trading strategies is associated with handling large amounts of data. Now, you are able to work with databases using SQL queries based on SQLite directly in MQL5. An important feature of this engine is that the entire database is placed in a single file located on a user's PC.
Exploring Seasonal Patterns of Financial Time Series with Boxplot
Exploring Seasonal Patterns of Financial Time Series with Boxplot
In this article we will view seasonal characteristics of financial time series using Boxplot diagrams. Each separate boxplot (or box-and-whiskey diagram) provides a good visualization of how values are distributed along the dataset. Boxplots should not be confused with the candlestick charts, although they can be visually similar.
MQL5 Cookbook: Trading strategy stress testing using custom symbols
MQL5 Cookbook: Trading strategy stress testing using custom symbols
The article considers an approach to stress testing of a trading strategy using custom symbols. A custom symbol class is created for this purpose. This class is used to receive tick data from third-party sources, as well as to change symbol properties. Based on the results of the work done, we will consider several options for changing trading conditions, under which a trading strategy is being tested.
Optimization management (Part II): Creating key objects and add-on logic
Optimization management (Part II): Creating key objects and add-on logic
This article is a continuation of the previous publication related to the creation of a graphical interface for optimization management. The article considers the logic of the add-on. A wrapper for the MetaTrader 5 terminal will be created: it will enable the running of the add-on as a managed process via C#. In addition, operation with configuration files and setup files is considered in this article. The application logic is divided into two parts: the first one describes the methods called after pressing a particular key, while the second part covers optimization launch and management.
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.
Extract profit down to the last pip
Extract profit down to the last pip
The article describes an attempt to combine theory with practice in the algorithmic trading field. Most of discussions concerning the creation of Trading Systems is connected with the use of historic bars and various indicators applied thereon. This is the most well covered field and thus we will not consider it. Bars represent a very artificial entity; therefore we will work with something closer to proto-data, namely the price ticks.
Optimization management (Part I): Creating a GUI
Optimization management (Part I): Creating a GUI
This article describes the process of creating an extension for the MetaTrader terminal. The solution discussed helps to automate the optimization process by running optimizations in other terminals. A few more articles will be written concerning this topic. The extension has been developed using the C# language and design patterns, which additionally demonstrates the ability to expand the terminal capabilities by developing custom modules, as well as the ability to create custom graphical user interfaces using the functionality of a preferred programming language.
Studying candlestick analysis techniques (part I): Checking existing patterns
Studying candlestick analysis techniques (part I): Checking existing patterns
In this article, we will consider popular candlestick patterns and will try to find out if they are still relevant and effective in today's markets. Candlestick analysis appeared more than 20 years ago and has since become quite popular. Many traders consider Japanese candlesticks the most convenient and easily understandable asset price visualization form.
Color optimization of trading strategies
Color optimization of trading strategies
In this article we will perform an experiment: we will color optimization results. The color is determined by three parameters: the levels of red, green and blue (RGB). There are other color coding methods, which also use three parameters. Thus, three testing parameters can be converted to one color, which visually represents the values. Read this article to find out if such a representation can be useful.
Separate optimization of a strategy on trend and flat conditions
Separate optimization of a strategy on trend and flat conditions
The article considers applying the separate optimization method during various market conditions. Separate optimization means defining trading system's optimal parameters by optimizing for an uptrend and downtrend separately. To reduce the effect of false signals and improve profitability, the systems are made flexible, meaning they have some specific set of settings or input data, which is justified because the market behavior is constantly changing.
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).