Attachments: Programmatic saving/loading of .set file?

Programmatic saving/loading of .set file?

#1
First Post: Feb 21, 2011 7:44pm Feb 21, 2011 7:44pm

mfurlend
| Joined Apr 2010 | Status: Trader | 165 Posts

I am trying to make a distributed optimization script in mql4. Basically what I want it to do is to divide up the rounds of optimization between multiple computers. The .set file will then be sent, loaded, and optimized. The results would be sent back to the server.

What I really need is a programmatic way of saving,modifying,and loading the .set file.

I found this code but it is not really it.

Anyone have any tips for me?

I tried to use the windows API to do it - I got as far as programmatically opening the "Expert Properties" window, but I cannot click the "load" button because the window handle keeps changing.

Inserted Code

hWnd = 397508 ; //Expert Properties button
 SetFocus(hWnd);
 PostMessageA(hWnd,0x00F5,2,1);  //Press it
 Sleep(100);

  hWnd = 268238 ; //Should be the "Load" button.This doesn't work because the window handle keeps changing.

 SetFocus(hWnd);
 PostMessageA(hWnd,0x00F5,2,1);

#2
Feb 21, 2011 9:16pm Feb 21, 2011 9:16pm

mfurlend
| Joined Apr 2010 | Status: Trader | 165 Posts

I figured out how to open the LOAD dialog, but now I'm having trouble selecting the window that pops up (Complete Windows API newbie).

Quote

Disliked

int hWnd = 397508 ;
SetFocus(hWnd);
PostMessageA(hWnd,0x00F5,2,1);
Sleep(100);

keybd_event (VK_TAB,0,0,0); Sleep (1); // Press TAB (select "Load")
keybd_event (VK_RETURN,0,0,0); Sleep (1); // Press Enter

I can of course make a function that converts strings to keyboard events, but thats pretty annoying...

#3
Feb 21, 2011 9:26pm Feb 21, 2011 9:26pm

Xaphod
Joined Mar 2010 | Status: Trader | 1,380 Posts

Possibly one these functions will help get the active window:

Inserted Code

#import "user32.dll"
  GetForegroundWindow();
  GetTopWindow(int hWnd);
#import

Useful window handles

Inserted Code

iChartWin=WindowHandle(Symbol(),0);  // Chart window without header/borders
iChartParent=GetParent(iChartWin);   // Chart enclousure (header/borders)
iChartMdi=GetParent(iChartParent);   // Chart MDI root 
iChartMain=GetParent(iChartMdi);     // Chart Program Window

#4
Feb 21, 2011 10:27pm Feb 21, 2011 10:27pm

hanover
Joined Sep 2006 | Status: ... | 8,112 Posts

Quoting mfurlend

Disliked

What I really need is a programmatic way of saving,modifying,and loading the .set file.

Ignored

I assume that you're referring to the .set files in the ...../experts/presets folder?

If so, then these are text files that you should be able to read and write to, by using the techniques described here and also here.

That's assuming that I understand you correctly.........

#5
Feb 21, 2011 10:55pm Feb 21, 2011 10:55pm

mfurlend
| Joined Apr 2010 | Status: Trader | 165 Posts

I think I got it

Thanks for the tips. I definitely intend to use that second library, hanover.

Inserted Code

extern string filename = "Test.set";


 void start ()
 {
    int hWnd, nMaxCount;
 string sWindowName = "";
  
 hWnd = 397508 ;
 SetFocus(hWnd);
 PostMessageA(hWnd,0x00F5,2,1);  
 Sleep(100);
 

 keybd_event (VK_TAB,0,0,0); Sleep (10); // Tab - confirm and close the panel line 
  keybd_event (VK_TAB,0,2,0); Sleep (10); // Tab - confirm and close the panel line 
 keybd_event (VK_RETURN,0,0,0); Sleep (10); // Tab - confirm and close the panel line 
 keybd_event (VK_RETURN,0,2,0); Sleep (1000); // Tab - confirm and close the panel line 
 
 //32770;
 int parent= GetParent(WindowHandle(Symbol(),Period()));
 hWnd = GetForegroundWindow();
 SetFocus(hWnd);
 hWnd = GetDlgItem(hWnd,1152);
 SetWindowTextA(hWnd,filename);

#6
Feb 21, 2011 11:33pm Feb 21, 2011 11:33pm

mfurlend
| Joined Apr 2010 | Status: Trader | 165 Posts

Hmm, it looks like what I'm doing is only working about half of the time.

#7
Edited 11:58am Feb 23, 2011 1:26am | Edited 11:58am

mfurlend
| Joined Apr 2010 | Status: Trader | 165 Posts

I revised the code. It is a little cleaner. It took me forever to realize that GetDlgItem() won't work to get the edit control.

This won't work if I take out the Sleep(500) statements. Is there no better way?...

SaveExpert script:

Inserted Code

#import "user32.dll"
#include <WinUser32 (2).mqh>


#define _ID_TESTER   0x053      // handle TESTER  
#define GW_HWNDNEXT                    2   

#property show_inputs
#property show_confirm

extern string filename = "1.set";
extern int pause = 500;

 void start ()
 {
   int hWnd, nMaxCount;
   string sWindowName = '';

   int hChart = WindowHandle (Symbol (), Period ()); 
   int hMetaTrader = GetAncestor (hChart, 2);
   PostMessageA (hMetaTrader, WM_COMMAND, 1025, 0); Sleep(pause);

   int hDlg = GetLastActivePopup (hMetaTrader); 
   PostMessageA (hDlg, WM_COMMAND, 4012, 0);  Sleep(pause);

   hWnd = GetForegroundWindow(); Sleep(pause);
   hWnd = GetDlgItem(hWnd,1152);Sleep(pause);
   SetWindowTextA(hWnd,filename);Sleep(pause);
   int hButtonSave = GetDlgItem (hDlg, 1); Sleep(pause); Print(hButtonSave);
   PostMessageA (hWnd, WM_KEYDOWN, VK_RETURN, 0); 

   
 

return(0);

}

LoadExpert script:

Inserted Code

#import "user32.dll"
#include <WinUser32 (2).mqh>


#define _ID_TESTER   0x053      // handle TESTER  
#define GW_HWNDNEXT                    2   

#property show_inputs
#property show_confirm

extern string filename = "1.set";
extern int pause = 500;

 void start ()
 {
   int hWnd, nMaxCount;
   string sWindowName = '';

   int hChart = WindowHandle (Symbol (), Period ()); 
   int hMetaTrader = GetAncestor (hChart, 2);
   PostMessageA (hMetaTrader, WM_COMMAND, 1025, 0); Sleep(pause);

   int hDlg = GetLastActivePopup (hMetaTrader); 
   PostMessageA (hDlg, WM_COMMAND, 4011, 0);  Sleep(pause);

   hWnd = GetForegroundWindow(); Sleep(pause);
   hWnd = GetDlgItem(hWnd,1152);Sleep(pause);
   SetWindowTextA(hWnd,filename);Sleep(pause);
   int hButtonSave = GetDlgItem (hDlg, 1); Sleep(pause); Print(hButtonSave);
   PostMessageA (hWnd, WM_KEYDOWN, VK_RETURN, 0); 

   
 

return(0);

}

The only difference between the two scripts is the number in this line:

Inserted Code

PostMessageA (hDlg, WM_COMMAND, 4012, 0);  Sleep(pause);

For this to work you MUST replace your copy of WinUser32.mqh with the one included in this post. It goes in your experts/include folder.

Attached File(s)

LoadExpert.mq4 < 1 KB | 568 downloads

SaveExpert.mq4 < 1 KB | 493 downloads

WinUser32.mqh 63 KB | 601 downloads

#8
Feb 23, 2011 8:20am Feb 23, 2011 8:20am

CockeyedCowboy
Joined Apr 2006 | Status: Trader Keit | 286 Posts

were are you getting 4011 and 4012 from?

I see 4013 and 4014

Attached Images

Trader Keit ... Methods Of A Dirt Road Mad Man....

#9
Edited 11:56am Feb 23, 2011 9:39am | Edited 11:56am

mfurlend
| Joined Apr 2010 | Status: Trader | 165 Posts

I made a script to programmatically change the From: and To: dates on the strategy tester. This was pretty tough because I could not find a way to directly interact with the control's class.

I'm somewhat proud of this one

It took me forever LOL.
Seems ridiculously circuitous, but it works.

Inserted Code

#import "user32.dll"
#include <WinUser32.mqh>
#property copyright "Copyright c 2011, Mike Furlender"


#define _ID_TESTER                     0x53         
#define _ID_TW                         0xE81B     
#define _ID_TERMINAL                   0xE81E
#define _ID_INNER                      0x81BF


#property show_inputs
#property show_confirm

extern string from_date = "2000.01.01";
extern string to_date   = "2012.05.05";
extern int pause = 50;

void start()
{
   ChangeDates(0,from_date);
   ChangeDates(3,to_date);
   
   return;
}   
 void ChangeDates (int fieldID, string date)
 {
   
   /*------------------Navigate window hierarchy to reach "From:" field-----------------*/
   int hMetaTrader = GetAncestor(WindowHandle(Symbol(),Period()),2);            
   Print("hMetaTrader = ", hMetaTrader," || ", DecToHex(hMetaTrader));

   int hTerminal = GetDlgItem(hMetaTrader, _ID_TERMINAL );                            
   Print("hTerminal = ", hTerminal," || ", DecToHex(hTerminal));

   int hTesterW = GetDlgItem(hMetaTrader, _ID_TW );                                    
   Print("hTesterW = ", hTesterW," || ", DecToHex(hTesterW));  
   
   int hTester = GetDlgItem(hTesterW, _ID_TESTER );                                    
   Print("hTester = ", hTester," || ", DecToHex(hTester));  
   
    
   int hInner = GetDlgItem(hTester, _ID_INNER );                                    
   Print("hInner = ", hInner," || ", DecToHex(hInner));  
   
   
   int child = GetWindow(hInner,GW_CHILD); Sleep(pause);
   Print("child = ", child," || ", DecToHex(child));
   
   for (int i=1; i<=14+fieldID; i++) child = GetWindow(child,GW_HWNDNEXT);  
   Print("child = ", child," || ", DecToHex(child));
   
   int from = child;
   /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------*/


   
  
   /*------------------Parse external string variable "date"-----------------*/
   string pt1,pt2,pt3;
   int loc1,loc2,loc3;
   
   int v1,v2,v3; 
 
   
   pt1 = StringSubstr(date,0,loc1);
   pt2 = StringSubstr(date,5,2);
   pt3 = StringSubstr(date,8,2);
   
   v1= StrToNumber(pt1);
   v2= StrToNumber(pt2);
   v3= StrToNumber(pt3);
   /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
   
   Print(loc1,"     ",loc2);
   Print (v1,"      ",v2,"     ",v3);
   
   
   PostMessageA (from, WM_SETFOCUS, 0, 0); Sleep(pause); //set focus on the From: field

   /*--------------------------Parse "From:" field ------------------------*/      
   string p1 =   "012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234" ; 
   GetWindowTextA ( from , p1 , 12 ) ;  //get From: as string

   pt1 = StringSubstr(p1,0,4); // first digit
   pt2 = StringSubstr(p1,5,2); //digit after first "." in date
   pt3 = StringSubstr(p1,8,2); //digit after second "." in date

   int x1= StrToNumber(pt1);

   /*------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
   int d1 = v1-x1; //Calculate date offset

   Print (d1);

   /*------------------------Move selection to Year------------------------*/


   string pty,pty2;
   int xy,xy2;
   
     while(true)
   {   
      PostMessageA(from, WM_KEYDOWN, VK_DOWN,0); Sleep(pause);
      GetWindowTextA ( from , p1 , 12 ) ;
      PostMessageA(from, WM_KEYDOWN, VK_UP,0); Sleep(pause);
      
      pty = StringSubstr(p1,0,4);
      xy  = StrToNumber(pty);
      Print(xy,"   ",x1);
      if (xy!=x1){  Sleep(pause); break; }
      else
      {
         PostMessageA(from, WM_KEYDOWN, VK_RIGHT,0); Sleep(pause);
      }
    }
   /*------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
   
        

   /*---------------------------------Set year-------------------------------*/
   if (d1>0)
   {
      for(i=1; i<=d1; i++)PostMessageA(from, WM_KEYDOWN, VK_UP,0); Sleep(pause);
   }
   if (d1<0)
   {   
      for(i=1; i<=0-d1; i++)PostMessageA(from, WM_KEYDOWN, VK_DOWN,0);Sleep(pause);
   }
   PostMessageA(from, WM_KEYDOWN, VK_RIGHT,0);Sleep(pause); //Move selection to month
   /*------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 
 
 
   /*---------------------------------Set month-------------------------------*/
  
   while(true)
   {   
      
      GetWindowTextA ( from , p1 , 12 ) ;
      

      pty2 = StringSubstr(p1,5,2);
      xy2 = StrToNumber(pty2);
      
      Print(xy2,"   ",v2);
      if (xy2==v2){  Sleep(pause); break; }
      else
      {
         PostMessageA(from, WM_KEYDOWN, VK_DOWN,0); Sleep(pause);
      }
    }  
  PostMessageA(from, WM_KEYDOWN, VK_RIGHT,0);Sleep(pause); //Move selection to day
  
  /*------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
  
  
  
  
  /*---------------------------------Set day-------------------------------*/
   
   while(true)
   {   
      
      GetWindowTextA ( from , p1 , 12 ) ;
      

      
      pty2 = StringSubstr(p1,8,2);
      xy2 = StrToNumber(pty2);
      
      Print(xy2,"   ",v3);
      if (xy2==v3){  Sleep(pause); break; }
      else
      {
         PostMessageA(from, WM_KEYDOWN, VK_DOWN,0); Sleep(pause);
      }
    }
  /*------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
   
 
PostMessageA (from, WM_KILLFOCUS, 0, 0); Sleep(pause); //kill focus 
return(0);

}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
double StrToNumber(string str)  { //Function written by Hanover
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
// Usage: strips all non-numeric characters out of a string
  int    dp   = -1;
  int    sgn  = 1;
  double num  = 0.0;
  for (int i=0; i<StringLen(str); i++)  {
    string s = StringSubstr(str,i,1);
    if (s == "-")  sgn = -sgn;   else
    if (s == ".")  dp = 0;       else
    if (s >= "0" && s <= "9")  {
      if (dp >= 0)  dp++;
      if (dp > 0)
        num = num + StrToInteger(s) / MathPow(10,dp);
      else
        num = num * 10 + StrToInteger(s);
    }
  }
  return(num*sgn);
}
string DecToHex(int n)
  {
   string s = "", c;
   while(n != 0)
     {
      if(n%16 < 10)
          c = CharToStr(n % 16 + '0');
      else 
          c = CharToStr(n % 16 + 'A'-10);
      s = c + s;
      n = n / 16;
     }
   return(s);
  }

Thats halfway to an automated distributed optimizer right there

Now all I need is a simple TCP library.

Edit: You NEED to replace your version of WinUser32.mqh with this one. It contains references to user32.dll that are not present in the version that comes with MT4. It is located in experts/include. Do this first, then place SetDate.mqh in your experts/scripts folder.

Attached File(s)

SetDate.mq4 6 KB | 430 downloads

WinUser32.mqh 63 KB | 434 downloads

#10
Feb 23, 2011 9:41am Feb 23, 2011 9:41am

mfurlend
| Joined Apr 2010 | Status: Trader | 165 Posts

Quoting CockeyedCowboy

Disliked

were are you getting 4011 and 4012 from?

I see 4013 and 4014

Ignored

Weird. Its 4011/4012 for me. I am running windows 7 64 bit, how about you?

#11
Edited 12:16pm Feb 23, 2011 12:14pm | Edited 12:16pm

sangmane
Joined Apr 2009 | Status: MT4 Programmer | 758 Posts

i use different "trick" in setting tester date start/stop

PHP Code

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//|                                                SetTesterDate.mq4 |
//|                                       Copyright © 2011, sangmane |
//|                                        [email protected] |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#property copyright "Copyright © 2011, sangmane"
#property link      "[email protected]"
#property show_inputs

extern datetime StartDate = D'2008.07.13';
extern datetime StopDate = D'2011.01.29';

#define    ID_TERMINAL           0xE81E
#define    ID_TESTER            0x53
#define    ID_FRAME            0x81BF
#define DTM_SETSYSTEMTIME   0x1002

#import "user32.dll"
    int GetAncestor(int hwnd, int gaFlags);
    int GetDlgItem(int hwnd, int id);
    int FindWindowExA(int hwndParent, int hwndChildAfter, string lpszClass, string lpszWindow);
    int SendMessageA(int hwnd, int msg, int wparam, int &lparam[]);

int start()
{
    int hwnd = WindowHandle(Symbol(),0);
    hwnd = GetAncestor(hwnd,2);
    hwnd = GetDlgItem(hwnd,ID_TERMINAL);
    hwnd = GetDlgItem(hwnd,ID_TESTER);
    hwnd = GetDlgItem(hwnd,ID_FRAME);
    int hStart = FindWindowExA(hwnd,0,"SysDateTimePick32","");
    int hEnd   = FindWindowExA(hwnd,hStart,"SysDateTimePick32","");
    
    int dt[4] = {0,0,0,0};
    dt[0] = (TimeMonth(StartDate) << 16) | TimeYear(StartDate);
    dt[1] = (TimeDay(StartDate) << 16) | TimeDayOfWeek(StartDate);
    SendMessageA(hStart,0x1002,0,dt);
    dt[0] = (TimeMonth(StopDate) << 16) | TimeYear(StopDate);
    dt[1] = (TimeDay(StopDate) << 16) | TimeDayOfWeek(StopDate);
    SendMessageA(hEnd,0x1002,0,dt);    
    return(0);
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+

Attached File(s)

SetTesterDate.mq4 2 KB | 476 downloads

#12
Feb 23, 2011 12:31pm Feb 23, 2011 12:31pm

mfurlend
| Joined Apr 2010 | Status: Trader | 165 Posts

Hm, its not working for me. I wonder why.

It looks like a far more elegant solution.
What does << mean in
(TimeMonth(StartDate) << 16) ?

I know its some undocumented C derivative but I don't remember what it does. Bitwise operator or something?

#13
Feb 23, 2011 12:47pm Feb 23, 2011 12:47pm

sangmane
Joined Apr 2009 | Status: MT4 Programmer | 758 Posts

it is bitwise operation. see metaeditor help
MQL4 Reference - Basics - Operations & Expressions - Bitwise operations

script doesn't work? please check control ID of terminal window, tester window and frame of datetime picker. maybe we yours mt4 have different value.

or put print(hwnd) after each window's handle retrieval to see if script failed to get the handle.

#14
Feb 23, 2011 1:11pm Feb 23, 2011 1:11pm

mfurlend
| Joined Apr 2010 | Status: Trader | 165 Posts

hwnd = GetDlgItem(hwnd,ID_TESTER); fails.

Inserted Code

2011.02.23 14:04:09SetTesterDate EURGBP,H1: 7:  0
2011.02.23 14:04:09SetTesterDate EURGBP,H1: 6:  0
2011.02.23 14:04:09SetTesterDate EURGBP,H1: 5:  0
2011.02.23 14:04:09SetTesterDate EURGBP,H1: 4:  0
2011.02.23 14:04:09SetTesterDate EURGBP,H1: 3:  144552
2011.02.23 14:04:09SetTesterDate EURGBP,H1: 2:  340940
2011.02.23 14:04:09SetTesterDate EURGBP,H1: 1:  79150

Never knew about the bitwise operators such as << and ~. That will certainly speed things up. Thanks.

#15
Feb 23, 2011 1:52pm Feb 23, 2011 1:52pm

sangmane
Joined Apr 2009 | Status: MT4 Programmer | 758 Posts

from your own code:

PHP Code

int hTesterW = GetDlgItem(hMetaTrader, _ID_TW );              Print("hTesterW = ", hTesterW," || ", DecToHex(hTesterW));

your tester window is a child of MT4 main window.
while in my MT4, tester window is a child of Terminal window.

Inserted Code

MT4 Main Window
- Terminal Window
   - Tester Window
      - Tester Frame where date time picker control reside
         - date time picker start
         - date time picker stop

you should be able adapting the code to follow you window MT4 parenting structure

#16
Feb 23, 2011 2:07pm Feb 23, 2011 2:07pm

mfurlend
| Joined Apr 2010 | Status: Trader | 165 Posts

Quoting sangmane

Disliked

from your own code:
[php]int hTesterW = GetDlgItem(hMetaTrader, _ID_TW );...

Ignored

Yup. That worked! Thanks a lot for that code; I could not find how to use that control.

#17
Last Post: Feb 23, 2011 5:26pm Feb 23, 2011 5:26pm

CockeyedCowboy
Joined Apr 2006 | Status: Trader Keit | 286 Posts

The shots were off an older XP SP3 32 bit. but my vistas are 32 bit and showing the same. I beleive that MT is 32 bit too.

I am going to play with your code to see if it works on my machine useing the IDs you have and then change them to what I show.

Keit

Quoting mfurlend

Disliked

Weird. Its 4011/4012 for me. I am running windows 7 64 bit, how about you?

Ignored

Trader Keit ... Methods Of A Dirt Road Mad Man....

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