Learning MQL4, Coding an EA, Strength Indi, Entry and Exits

I have decided to start learning coding this bugger.

I want to automate part of my trading and I believe the EA would be complicated.

SO....

I may consider paying someone to code the bugger while I am learning.

Also where is a good place to start learning the process. Right now going through some youtube videos.

Yes. Don't start learning from mql training because you will pick up some really bad/lazy habits that will hurt you in the long run. In defense of some of these videos, they were mostly made before the big mql update (build 600) so they had to use some bad techniques and hacky design patterns back then. To start, you should first study C++; learn the syntax, how to work with include files, how to make good functions, how to avoid using non-const global variables, OOP concepts, etc. You don't need to spend a lot of time with cpp libraries but you really should have a good grasp of basic cpp design concepts. I really like the solo learn tutorial and learncpp.com

Thank you. I will look into it.

One of the things I use a lot in my trading is Currency strength. I have been calculating it on my own with pen and paper, to time consuming.

So also looking for a currency strength meter that works with the new build. Any ideas? Been looking at a few here on FF.
Would also like to understand how the strength is derived for the indicator.

Thanks a bunch

Rufus

I think most people are using the meter that calculates the current bar, however, I have my issues with that. I personally prefer something based on ATR or this method.

I have been calculating it based on three MA's for 28 pairs. Assigning a number for strength of each currency in each pair. Then adding the numbers for strength of the currency.

Doing this for Monthly, weekly, daily, and hourly (when trading)

As each currency is evaluated with 7 others to determine it's strength.

Have been pleased with the results.

Here are the numbers for 2 hours of trading for an example.

If I were starting to learn MQL4 today, from scratch, I wish someone would tell me about the website found at "learn" followed by "mql4" and the usual ".com".

I'm *not* endorsing it from my own experience or use! I picked up MQL4 on my own, studying by examples, making simple mods... now I write some fairly complex programs. I've never taken any of his courses, so I can't give my own story as if I did, but I can say that I've learned some things from his freebies on youtube and his site(s). Regarding that site and author, I have zero affiliation. Most offerings are not free, though there are indeed some free videos to get samples to see if the style works for you.

I would take the courses today, just to fill in a few gaps of my own if I had more *time*, like a few weeks. I don't. I see value, but I already know enough to code (mainly) C-style. (I only code my own projects for myself).

I like the style and presentation. U.S. English is my first language, so I am comfortable at increasing playback speed to 1.25x or up to 1.5x. Saves me time, and if it's complicated and I'm not getting it, I'll slow it down.

It is thorough enough, is updated for b600+, but it is mainly "C" style examples, not so much "C++" though I can see the syllabus mentions it. I don't know how much C++ is covered; probably not much.

I'm picking up a few beginning C++ tips just by following Nicholishen's posted samples. (Thanks!) For C++, he mentioned http://learncpp.com

P.S. I'm sure it's obvious, but Nicholishen's advice is go straight to learning C++ style. The thing is there isn't (afaik) any site that focuses directly on learning MQL4/5 ++ (OOP) style. The C++ site is the concepts of OOP, but you'll still have to learn the MQL specifics.

MetaEditor tip: Select a function; or start typing one and let it auto-fill something that looks close and select it; then... "F1" key brings up the Help page. I use it all the time to learn about functions and the syntax.