How do you tell the differene btwn EA and Script? | Forex Factory

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How do you tell the differene btwn EA and Script?

  • #1
  • First Post: Jul 17, 2007 1:21pm Jul 17, 2007 1:21pm
This might be so obvious... I'm embarrassed to ask... But I'm new and I MUST learn

Example:

I have (1) "OrderEntry.mq4" and (2) "OrderEntryWithTrail.mq4" which I downloaded (post didn't say EA or Script)

So I put "OrderEntry.mq4" into /experts folder > attached it as EA to a chart and it entered the market with a NEW ORDER on change of EVERY TICK. (9 new orders within seconds).

So then I moved it into /scripts folder and attached it as a "Script" and it did what I wanted. Executed ONE order (like a script is supposed to do... run once). (#2) .mq4 is actually an EA which enters an order and trails it.

So... Is there a way I could have made sure if it was EA or Script, or do I just have to try on a demo and see what happens. (which I would do anyway... but I'm fanatical about tracking my account and now my account is not tidy any more )
  • #2
  • Jul 17, 2007 4:16pm Jul 17, 2007 4:16pm
  •  tesla
  • | Joined Oct 2006 | Status: Friendly Neighborhood Programmer | 533 Posts
A script will execute the start() function only once, whe it's loaded. An EA will execute the start() function with each incoming tick.

The only thing that tells metatrader whether something is a script or an EA is which directory it's in.
  • #3
  • Jul 17, 2007 5:21pm Jul 17, 2007 5:21pm
Quoting tesla
A script will execute the start() function only once, whe it's loaded. An EA will execute the start() function with each incoming tick.

The only thing that tells metatrader whether something is a script or an EA is which directory it's in.
Would a one time exit be an example of a script?
  • #4
  • Jul 17, 2007 6:05pm Jul 17, 2007 6:05pm
Thanks Tesla;

So what you're saying is that I CAN'T tell the difference between EA and a script. That they are the same...

If I put an ***.mq4 file into a /scripts folder it will execute it once and if I move that same file into /experts folder it will execute the same .mq4 file with each tick. Correct?
  • #5
  • Jul 17, 2007 7:07pm Jul 17, 2007 7:07pm
  •  tesla
  • | Joined Oct 2006 | Status: Friendly Neighborhood Programmer | 533 Posts
Quoting KudzuFX
Would a one time exit be an example of a script?
That's an example of a task that's well suited for a script, yes.

Quoting pipimo88
Thanks Tesla;

So what you're saying is that I CAN'T tell the difference between EA and a script. That they are the same...

If I put an ***.mq4 file into a /scripts folder it will execute it once and if I move that same file into /experts folder it will execute the same .mq4 file with each tick. Correct?
You've got it. As an example, create an EA with only the following code:
Inserted Code
int init() {
    Print("Starting up.");
    return(0);
}
int start() {
    Print("Start function is running.");
    return(0);
}
int deinit() {
    Print("Shutting down.");
    return(0);
}
Run it as an EA, watch the output on the experts tab of the terminal (let it run for a couple of ticks. Move the same file to the scripts directory and do the same thing. As an EA, it will run the start function with every tick, as a script, it will run the start function only once.
  • #6
  • Last Post: Jul 17, 2007 8:02pm Jul 17, 2007 8:02pm
Aha... Got it... Thank you so much.

Good thing for demo accounts, right?
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