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How to make a program in metatrader.

  • #1
  • First Post: Edited Nov 29, 2008 10:33am Nov 28, 2008 3:25pm | Edited Nov 29, 2008 10:33am
I have an EA and I want it to show on the screen what the current account equity is. It should be updated for every tick. Does someone know what the code is for that. I am not a programmer but I'm trying to learn it
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian!
  • #2
  • Nov 28, 2008 3:29pm Nov 28, 2008 3:29pm
Quoting Gambler180
I have an EA and I want it to show on the screen what the current account equity is. It should be updated for every tick. Does someone know what the code is for that. I am not a programmer but I'm trying to learn it
Place this in the start function somewhere

Comment( Account Equity for ", AccountName(), " is ", AccountEquity() );
  • #3
  • Nov 28, 2008 3:49pm Nov 28, 2008 3:49pm
Quoting smjones
Place this in the start function somewhere

Comment( Account Equity for ", AccountName(), " is ", AccountEquity() );
What if I just want it to "show account equity is (accountequity)"?
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian!
  • #4
  • Nov 28, 2008 3:51pm Nov 28, 2008 3:51pm
Quoting Gambler180
What if I just want it to "show account equity is (accountequity)"?
then it is

Comment ( "Account equity is ", AccountEquity() );
  • #5
  • Edited 4:22pm Nov 28, 2008 4:11pm | Edited 4:22pm
Quoting smjones
then it is

Comment ( "Account equity is ", AccountEquity() );
Thanks for the help. I am reading the tutorial on http://www.metatrader.info/node/36 and I have also downloaded some documents about bar counting, account information, array functions, common functions, conversion functions, custom indicator functions, date and time functions, file functions, global variables functions, math and trig, object functions, pre defined variables, standards constants, string functions, technical indicator calls, trading functions and window functions. Maybe some of these things are the same as on http://www.metatrader.info/node/36 but do you think all this is enough to make a hedged grid EA with many cycles where cycle 1 starts when x happens and when y has happened then cycle to will start and so on. Or am I missing something. Don't I have all the info I need to make very complicated expert advisors?
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian!
  • #6
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:24pm Nov 28, 2008 4:24pm
Yes, that training course by codersguru covers everything. I used it myself a few years back. I am a C++ programmer for years, and then decided I wanted to learn MQ4 and used that course to gain proficiency.
  • #7
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:33pm Nov 28, 2008 4:33pm
Quoting smjones
Yes, that training course by codersguru covers everything. I used it myself a few years back. I am a C++ programmer for years, and then decided I wanted to learn MQ4 and used that course to gain proficiency.
Is it just me who is a little slow or are there many things that isn't covered in that course?

Some of the code in the indicator example is "double ExtMapBuffer1[];"
Why isn't there written something insiode the "[]".

Longer down in the code I have "SetIndexBuffer(0,ExtMapBuffer1);" If I change the 1 to a 2 I get an extmapbuffer2 "variable not defined error" but if I also write 2 in the [] longer up in the code it doesn't complain. I'm confused.
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian!
  • #8
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:39pm Nov 28, 2008 4:39pm
Quoting Gambler180
Is it just me who is a little slow or are there many things that isn't covered in that course?

Some of the code in the indicator example is double ExtMapBuffer1[];
Why isn't there written something insiode the [].

Longer down in the code I have SetIndexBuffer(0,ExtMapBuffer1); If I change 1 to 2 I get a extmapbuffer2 "variable not defined error but if I also write 2 in the [] longer up in the code it doesn't complain. I'm confused.
You are skipping. There is a section on writing an idicator where arrays are covered. the [] means the variable is an array. Leaving the [] with nothing in it when declaring it is says the length is open. If you were to write.

double SomeArray[5];
That would mean that the array is declared and the maximum size for that array is 5 . So it will hold 5 values.

If I write.
double My Array[5,4];

That means I have declaed a array named MyArray that can hold 5 values in the dimension of the array and also hold indpendantly 4 values in the second demnsion.

Most of the time you will declare an array for an indicator.
  • #9
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:39pm Nov 28, 2008 4:39pm
The reason for the array in the indicator is to allow you to load up the array with the values you create in a for loop
  • #10
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:41pm Nov 28, 2008 4:41pm
Quoting Gambler180
Is it just me who is a little slow or are there many things that isn't covered in that course?

Some of the code in the indicator example is "double ExtMapBuffer1[];"
Why isn't there written something insiode the "[]".

Longer down in the code I have "SetIndexBuffer(0,ExtMapBuffer1);" If I change the 1 to a 2 I get an extmapbuffer2 "variable not defined error" but if I also write 2 in the [] longer up in the code it doesn't complain. I'm confused.
In my experience, it's very hard to write a programming tutorial without forgetting at least a couple of things that seem obvious to an experienced programmer, but are really, really hard for newbies.

If you REALLY want to learn MQL, my best advice to you is to go out and learn another language like Java or C#. Once you take on those languages (and there are many more resources to help you learn those than MQL) you will find MQL a lot easier. I know it sounds like the long way around a short problem, but you will have a much easier time with MQL if you can program in another, similar, language first.
  • #11
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:44pm Nov 28, 2008 4:44pm
Quoting LongToBeFree
In my experience, it's very hard to write a programming tutorial without forgetting at least a couple of things that seem obvious to an experienced programmer, but are really, really hard for newbies.

If you REALLY want to learn MQL, my best advice to you is to go out and learn another language like Java or C#. Once you take on those languages (and there are many more resources to help you learn those than MQL) you will find MQL a lot easier. I know it sounds like the long way around a short problem, but you will have a much easier...
But doesn't c# take a very long time to learn? My goal is to learn just about everything there is about mql in the next 2 to 3 months.
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian!
  • #12
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:45pm Nov 28, 2008 4:45pm
As an example

PHP Code
/+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//|                                           Indicator Template.mq4 |
//|                                        Copyright © 2007, sjcoinc |
//|                                            [email protected] |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#property copyright "Copyright © 2007, sjcoinc"
#property link      "[email protected]"
#property indicator_separate_window
 
double  Buffer1[];
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator initialization function                         |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int init()
  {
//---- indicators
//----
   return(0);
  }
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator deinitialization function                       |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int deinit()
  {
//----
 
//----
   return(0);
  }
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator iteration function                              |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int start()
  {
 
   int limit;
   int counted_bars=IndicatorCounted();
//---- last counted bar will be recounted
   if(counted_bars>0) counted_bars--;
   limit=Bars-counted_bars;
   for(int i=0; i<limit; i++)   
      {
           Buffer1[i] = iClose(Symbol(),0,i); 
 
      }
//----
 
//----
   return(0);
  }
//+----
Note the declaration of the array Buffer1 in the top of the indicator and then it is filled up with the for loop to the correct number of bars.
  • #13
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:48pm Nov 28, 2008 4:48pm
Gambler, just post your code as you go along and your questions and I will help and explain How and why it works. Lets do this over a few weeks or months if you like, right here in this thread.
  • #14
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:50pm Nov 28, 2008 4:50pm
Quoting Gambler180
But doesn't c# take a very long time to learn? My goal is to learn just about everything there is about mql in the next 2 to 3 months.
Again, I do realize that learning C# would seem contrary to the goal of creating an EA with MQL. But if you're starting from a lower base of programming knowledge, it's very hard to work effectively with MQL.

On the other hand, if you take a good C# resource and learn the basics of programming, it will make more sense. Besides, some syntax (like creating a "for" loop) are nearly identical in the two languages. So, without even knowing it, you'll be picking up some MQL while still honing your programming skills. You will find many, many more resources for C# than you will MQL.
  • #15
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:51pm Nov 28, 2008 4:51pm
Lets take the template I posted above and make it plot a moving average on your chart, as a simple example.
  • #16
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:54pm Nov 28, 2008 4:54pm
Quoting smjones
Gambler, just post your code as you go along and your questions and I will help and explain How and why it works. Lets do this over a few weeks or months if you like, right here in this thread.
I would like that very much if you have the time to do it
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian!
  • #17
  • Edited 5:59pm Nov 28, 2008 4:55pm | Edited 5:59pm
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Indicator Template.mq4 |
//| Copyright 2007, sjcoinc |
//| [email protected] |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#property copyright "Copyright 2007, sjcoinc"
#property link "[email protected]"
#property indicator_separate_window
double Buffer1[];
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator initialization function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int init()
{
//---- indicators
//----
return(0);
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator deinitialization function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int deinit()
{
//----

//----
return(0);
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator iteration function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int start()
{

int limit;
int counted_bars=IndicatorCounted();
//---- last counted bar will be recounted
if(counted_bars>0) counted_bars--;
limit=Bars-counted_bars;
for(int i=0; i<limit; i++)
{
Buffer1[i] = iMA(Symbol(),0, ,10, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE, i);

}
//----

//----
return(0);
}

Ok I added the red part to make a Exponetial moving average with 10 periods. Note the i denotes which bar the iMA is associated with.
  • #18
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:56pm Nov 28, 2008 4:56pm
Now we need to find a way to make this array appear on the chart.
We do this by adding some drawing command in the init function. (this function will only be executed once instead of with every tick as the start function is.
So lets do that now.
  • #19
  • Nov 28, 2008 4:59pm Nov 28, 2008 4:59pm
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Indicator Template.mq4 |
//| |
//| |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#property copyright ""
#property link ""
#property indicator_chart_window
double Buffer1[];
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator initialization function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int init()
{
//---- indicators
SetIndexBuffer(0, Buffer1);
SetIndexStyle(0, DRAW_LINE);
//----
return(0);
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator deinitialization function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int deinit()
{
//----

//----
return(0);
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom indicator iteration function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int start()
{

int limit;
int counted_bars=IndicatorCounted();
//---- last counted bar will be recounted
if(counted_bars>0) counted_bars--;
limit=Bars-counted_bars;
for(int i=0; i<limit; i++)
{
Buffer1[i] = iMA(Symbol(),0, ,10, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE, i);

}
//----

//----
return(0);
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+

Ok now we have added some commands to draw on the chart in red.
  • #20
  • Nov 28, 2008 5:01pm Nov 28, 2008 5:01pm
Note that first we extablished the correct index buffer of 0 to be assigned to the array Buffer1

Then we said that we wanted to draw line on the chart using the values that are stored in Buffer1.

Also note that I changed the property to say draw on the chart instead of draw on a separate window.
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