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Visual Basic and MT4

  • #1
  • First Post: Feb 3, 2010 9:39pm Feb 3, 2010 9:39pm
Yeah, I know, everyone tells me it can't be done. But I'm hoping somone might be able to figure something out.

Check this url: http://codebase.mql4.com/3672

Quote
mt4excel.dll is a library written in Delphi. At calling the DLL, the COM library is initialized.
Before using it, you should call one of the following functions: ExcelOpen or ExcelOpenPattern, or ExcelOpenFile.
At calling, an OLE object is created, MS Excel is opened, a new book and page are created by template or an existing Excel file is opened (depending on the function). Function ExcelClose will close MS Excel and free the OLE object.
You can write and read in either a separate cell: ExcelSetFormulaCell, ExcelSetValueCell, ExcelSetTextCell, ExcelGetValueCell, ExcelGetTextCell, ExcelGetFormulaCell, or in a range previously memorized with function ExcelSetRange, then using ExcelSetFormula, for example, or other functions requiring a range to be set.
There is a number of auxiliary functions to manage displaying, format information, etc. You can find more details about them in the comments on the example.
Use function ExcelSetDiagramma to create a diagram.

So, can't something like this be done in VB?

Thanks.

PS. If anyone knows of good VB groups to post this question, please post to them.
  • #2
  • Feb 4, 2010 5:57am Feb 4, 2010 5:57am
Quoting nondisclosure00
So, can't something like this be done in VB?
Something like what? use COM objects from VB? This functionality should be built into VB already. Or do you want to call VB functions from metatrader? What are you trying to do?
  • #3
  • Feb 4, 2010 9:19pm Feb 4, 2010 9:19pm
Sorry. Should have been a little more specific; I want to call VB functions from Metatrader.

Quoting 7bit
Something like what? use COM objects from VB? This functionality should be built into VB already. Or do you want to call VB functions from metatrader? What are you trying to do?
  • #4
  • Edited 9:21am Feb 6, 2010 8:26am | Edited 9:21am
Quoting nondisclosure00
I want to call VB functions from Metatrader.
Try to find a way to create a dll that exports the functions you need with VB. I'm not totally sure if it is possible, i think you have to create an activex object that must be registered and you can then somehow use this like an ordinary dll in MT4 (there are some articles about VB for creation of dlls on the web).

I dont use VB myself, so I cannot be of much help with the VB specific things, but if VB is generally not suited for certain programming tasks, you might be interested in looking into other languages that are easier to integrate with MT4 and completely abandon VB:

For example there is a Python-binding that will allow you to call arbitrary Python code from MT4 if you want to express complex (maybe even multithreaded) logic in one of the most beautiful and elegant object oriented dynamic languages currently in existence (search google for "metatrader python integration").

For creating native DLLs (because raw execution speed is your main concern) I suggest using C++ or ObjectPascal, the latter being the easier one, use Delphi (commercial) or Lazarus (free).

The bottom line is if you want to interface MQL4 with it's limited interface with anything else you should definitely add something new into your toolbox, something that can be easily fitted to mql4's needs and can serve as a wrapper if you still need the other tools. VB alone is not the solution to all problems. I would suggest ObjectPascal to perfectly fill the gap between your high level Languages, Objects and APIs and all the nasty low level stuff like obscure function calling conventions, pointers to funny data structures, directly accessing memory locations and CPU registers, even inline assembler code.
  • #5
  • Feb 6, 2010 1:10pm Feb 6, 2010 1:10pm
Thanks for the info.

It's been about 20+ years since I've done anything in Pascal. Maybe I'll give that a try.

Quoting 7bit
Try to find a way to create a dll that exports the functions you need with VB. I'm not totally sure if it is possible, i think you have to create an activex object that must be registered and you can then somehow use this like an ordinary dll in MT4 (there are some articles about VB for creation of dlls on the web).

I dont use VB myself, so I cannot be of much help with the VB specific things, but if VB is generally not suited for certain programming tasks, you might be interested in looking into other languages that are easier to integrate with...
  • #6
  • Feb 8, 2010 6:17pm Feb 8, 2010 6:17pm
Quoting nondisclosure00
It's been about 20+ years since I've done anything in Pascal. Maybe I'll give that a try.
I'm currently collecting some of my findings about the exact requirements and not so obvious details for interfacing Metatrader with your DLLs in this thread:
http://www.forexfactory.com/showthread.php?p=3438599, so you can save yourself some hours of trial and error.
  • #7
  • Last Post: Feb 9, 2010 8:20pm Feb 9, 2010 8:20pm
Dude, thanks a mil! That's really going above and beyond the call! I can't wait to read the thread!

Quoting 7bit
I'm currently collecting some of my findings about the exact requirements and not so obvious details for interfacing Metatrader with your DLLs in this thread:
http://www.forexfactory.com/showthread.php?p=3438599, so you can save yourself some hours of trial and error.
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